Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence

Bible: Luke 1:11-17

He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah … to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (V.17)

At the end of the Old Testament, God seems to be hiding. For four centuries, the Jews wait for Him to do something. God seems like He isn’t hearing their prayers. Only one hope remains: the Old Testament promise of a Saviour. That promise is everything to the Jews. And then
something amazing happens. The birth of a baby.

You can feel the excitement just by reading what some people did when they heard the news in Luke’s gospel. Joyful characters crowd into the story of Jesus’ birth: a white-haired great uncle (LUKE 1:5-25), an amazed virgin (1:26-38), the old prophetess Anna (2:36). Mary herself sings her praise and thanks to God (1:46-55). Even Jesus’ unborn cousin kicks for joy inside his
mum’s womb (1:41).

Luke takes care, in his retelling, to make sure we know that Jesus is the Saviour the Old Testament promises. The angel Gabriel even calls John the Baptist an “Elijah” sent to prepare the way for Jesus (1:17). And as an adult Jesus called John “the Elijah who was to come” (MATT. 11:14). Clearly, something amazing was happening on planet earth when Jesus was born. In a remote corner of the Roman Empire, something good was breaking out.

What I’m Thankful for…

You have come to us, and we thank You, Jesus! You are our Saviour and hope. Thank You.

GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK FOR OUR GOOD, EVEN WHEN HE SEEMS TO BE SILENT.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries