Luke 1:11-17 (NIVUK)
18 Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well on in years.’
19 The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.’
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realised he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Now you will be silent. Zechariah is made silent as he didn’t believe the angel. Whilst we may see this as a punishment, I wonder if that is the case. How about if it is to give him a chance to reflect on God’s words, to focus on him and his will? When reading the Bible, I think it is often helpful to pause and reflect on a passage rather than snatching a quick thought or concept and moving on. A pause can take us deeper and lead us to richer and a more applied understanding.
Take a moment to pause in front of God and listen to him. Lord you fill this place, open my mind and being to your Presence…
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