September 19, 2019
Luke 1:11-13
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John."
New International Version (NIV)
                “Ned Weeks was wonderfully thick with the Almighty.”  I never met Ned, but I would like to.  Imagine knowing God on a better than second-hand basis.  What would that be like? 

                The Bible is about God.  It tells us about the times when he intervened in human history to accomplish his greater purpose.  Meet Zechariah and Elizabeth, descendants of Aaron.  Like all of us, they have their challenges in life.  Their particular challenge like Rachel and Hannah in the Old Testament is their childlessness.  Also like Hannah, their response to their challenge was prayer.  When they prayed, heaven paid attention.

                When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and gripped with fear.  Soon he learned that this angel brought good news for him and for the world.  He interrupts to inform God about how impossible it would be for him and his wife to have a child.  He was gifted with a season of silence until the baby was born.  His son, John the Baptist became the harbinger of hope which was fulfilled in Jesus. 

                In the story of Jesus, we learn that God is on the move.  He has started something.  God has something to say in his word.  This is one good reason to worship together:  God will speak to those who have ears to hear.  God is talking.  What is he saying to us?  Be careful not to interrupt.  We have two ears and one mouth.  Let’s listen more than we talk.  God does not have favorites, but he does have intimates.  Like Ned Weeks.  Like us?
Pray with me:       
Father, thank you for Jesus, the word made flesh.  Reveal your presence and power to us again through the spoken word about the written word of the Bible.  What we know not, teach us.  What we have not, give us.  What we are not, make us.  Through Christ we pray.  Amen.
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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