Welcoming God with Reverence

Consider:

God hosted the very first Christmas! He sent out the invitation and proved the perfect, unconventional host. As we consider asking God to host our season, we should take notes on the first people He invited into the story and look at their response to His invitation. 

 

Zechariah 

Read Luke 1:11-13. What was Zechariah’s response to the angel of the Lord?

 

Mary

Read Luke 1:29-30. What was Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel and based

on the angel’s response in verse 30, what else can be said of Mary’s response? 

 

Explore:

Upon encountering the supernatural, both Mary and Zechariah responded the same! 

 

The word “fear” is the Greek word at the root of our modern English word “phobia.” The fear expressed in these verses may well have initially been a downright panic, however both characters exemplified Jewish devotion with nothing to hide from God. Consider Zechariah who was serving in the temple upon this revelation and the actual words of the angel to Mary who told her she was highly favored by God Himself! This “phobia” turns quickly to “awe” and is translated as such later in Zechariah’s story after John’s birth when he finally voices his own amazement at God’s follow-through! The neighbors and relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth are filled with awe, just as he was at the initial visit of the angel and just as Mary was at her own encounter with the angel Gabriel.

 

Read the response of Zechariah’s neighbors and relatives in Luke 1:64-66. 

 

Have you ever encountered God in an awe-inspiring way? When? What was your response?

 

Have you ever witnessed God’s work in someone else’s life that was awe-inspiring? Who was it and what were the circumstances?

 

Are you positioned as a devoted and active Christian who could move easily from fear to awe, like Zechariah and Mary were able to do? Or is there a barrier of broken relationship or sin standing between you and your devotion to God?

 

Pray: 

Confess any brokenness or sin creating a barrier between you and God. Commit to a life devoted to following hard after Him. Ask God for a revelation this season and a new awareness of His awe-inspiring presence. Pray in expectation of an encounter with Him this season.