Too often, we rush and we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage - in context. Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better. | Luke 1 (NASB) 21 And meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. |
- Why do people wait for Zechariah? What is delaying him?
- How do the people know he saw a vision?
- Was the angel real or just a vision (hallucination)?
- What does Zechariah do before going home to his wife?
Let's Think:
Zechariah probably doesn't get enough credit from us today. He is a devout priest for the Lord, and his service is important. Zechariah does not take his duties as priest lightly, and we have proof to back that up.
Yes, he has just left the temple after having an impromptu meeting with a messenger of the Lord. He must be positively overwhelmed, but now he has to face people who are waiting for him on the outside. There's simply no other way for him: he can't sneak out, and he can't just sit tight and outwait the crowd. He must face them, and in his current state, being unable to talk due to his slip-up in the previous verses, his explanation about the angel has to be a difficult piece of information for the folks to digest.
Is he being punished for something? The people must wonder if their devout and dedicated priest has done something to warrant heavenly consequences. He can only perform charades for them which must be frustrating for everyone involved. One word. Two syllables. Sounds like crangel?
Still, the folks know that he has seen a vision. In fact, that vision was a real angel standing before him. It is not something that Zechariah imagines, and that's confirmed when what the angel says actually happens some time in the future.
Important to note is that Zechariah doesn't just run home to wife Elizabeth to tell her the news. No, he still performs his priestly duties before he goes home, leaving me to wonder if someone else might have gotten to her first and spilled the beans. How much of the angel encounter did Zechariah share with the people anyway? It was awfully big news to keep bottled up.