(1 John iii. 7.) Happy are those Ghristian families in which it can be reported that both husband and wife are ^'righteous/' and exercise themselyes to have a oonscienoe Toid of offence toward God and toward men. (Acts sdr. 16.)
Let ns mark, for another thing, in this passage, the heavy trial tphich Ood was pleased to lay an Zacharias and Elisabeth. We are told that '' they had no child." The full force of these words can hardly be understood by a modem Christian. To an ancient Jew they would convey the idea of a very weighty affliction. To be childless was one of the bitterest of sorrows. (1 Sam. i. 10.)
The grace of God exempts no one from trouble. ** Bighteous " as this holy priest and his wife were, they had a ''crook in their lot." Let us remember this, if we serve Christ, and let us count trial no strange thing. Let us rather beHeye that a hand of perfect wisdom is measur- ing out all our portion, and that when God chastises us, it is to make us ''partakers of his holiness." (Heb. xii. 10.) If afflictions drive us nearer to Christ, the Bible, and prayer, they are positive blessings. We may not think so now. But we shall think so when we wake up in another world.
Let us mark, for another thing, in this passage, the means by which Ood announced the coming birth of John the Baptist. We are told that "an angel of the Lord appeared to Zachaiias."
The ministry of angels is undoubtedly a deep subject. Nowhere in the Bible do we find such frequent mention of Ihem, as in the period of our Lord's earthly ministry. At no time do we read of so many appearances of angels,
10 EXPOSrrOR'X THOtrOHTS,
as about the time of our Lord's incarnation and entrance into the world. The meaning of this circumstance is sufficiently clear. It was meant to teach the church that Messiah was no angel, but the Lord of angels, as well as of men. Angels announced His coming. Angels proclaimed His birth. Angels rejoiced at His appearing. And by so doing they made it plain that He who came to die for sinners, was not one of themselves, but one far above them, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
One thing, at all events, about angels, we must never forget. They take a deep interest in the work of Christ, and the salvation which Christ has provided. They sung high praise when the Son of God came down to make peace by His own blood between God and man. They rejoice when sinners repent, and sons are bom again to our Father in heaven. They delight to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Let us strive to be like them, while we are upon earth, — to be of their mind, and to share their joys. This is the way to be in tune for heaven. It is written oif those who enter in there, that they shall be " as the angels." (Mark xii. 25.)
Let us mark, lastly, in this passage, the effect which the appearance of an angel produced on the mind of Zacharias. We are told that he " was troubled, and fear fell upon him."
The experience of this righteous man here, tallies exactly with that of other saints under similar circum- stances. Moses at the burning bush, and Daniel at the river of Hiddekel, — ^the women at the sepulchre, and John at the isle of Patmos, — all showed like fear to that of Zacharias. Like him, when they saw visions of things