Reflections with Andy – Luke 1: 5-25 – The Last of His Kind

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Today in Luke, we see the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. He was the last of his kind. His parents were of the line of priests, but he was going to be the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was the one who would be the last of the old covenant and who would point to the keeper of the new covenant, Jesus Christ. As his parents were living their lives, God showed up, invaded their lives, and gave them great blessings. Today, if we allow, we may not have the same blessings as they did, but God will show up and give us His blessing of grace.

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Good morning. It’s good to be with you today as we continue our time together in Luke.

As I’ve mentioned before, Luke isn’t the gospel I naturally turn to—Matthew has always been my favorite. But I’m really enjoying walking through Luke in this season. And to help dig deeper, I’ve pulled out one of my favorite resources: the Wesley Study Bible. It’s full of helpful notes and insights, and I’ll be referencing it as we go.

Today, we’re reading Luke 1:5–25, where the birth of John the Baptist is foretold.

Luke 1:5–25 (paraphrased summary):
In the days of King Herod, there was a priest named Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, both righteous and blameless. But they had no children, and they were advanced in years. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that Elizabeth would bear a son—John—who would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth. He would prepare the way for the Lord, turning hearts and readying people for God. Zechariah doubted, and as a result, he was struck mute until the fulfillment of the angel’s words. Elizabeth did conceive and praised God, saying, “The Lord has looked upon me and taken away my disgrace.”

There’s so much going on here—let’s unpack just a few key takeaways.

1. God works through ordinary people living faithfully

Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as righteous and blameless. Zechariah was faithfully serving in his priestly duties when God interrupted his routine with something extraordinary.

That’s a theme we’ll see throughout the Gospels—ordinary people going about their lives, and God shows up.

Mary and Joseph were just living their lives. The shepherds, too. The disciples were fishing. And in each case, God steps in and changes the trajectory of everything.

God still works this way. You may feel like you’re just checking off today’s to-do list—but stay attentive. God still shows up, sometimes when you least expect it.

2. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the “old,” John points to the “new”

The Wesley Study Bible pointed out something powerful here: Zechariah and Elizabeth both come from priestly lineage. They represent the old covenant—the sacrificial system, the rituals, the law.

John, however, will be a prophet filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. He will go before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah, preparing the way for the Messiah. He marks the transition between the old and the new—between law and grace.

John is, in a way, the final prophet in the line of the Old Testament—and his job is to prepare the way for something far greater: Jesus.

3. God gives life where we think it’s impossible

Elizabeth was barren, and both she and Zechariah were “getting on in years.” But God loves to do the unexpected.

We’ve seen this story before: Sarah. Hannah. Rachel. Now Elizabeth. In each case, God brings life where others saw only impossibility.

Whatever feels barren or lifeless in your life right now—God can bring newness and hope. His timing may not be ours, but his power is not limited.

4. John’s role is not to draw attention to himself, but to point to Jesus

Later, Jesus will say that no one born of woman is greater than John. But even with that high praise, John always knows his purpose: to prepare the way for Jesus. As John himself says, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

What if we lived like that? Pointing people not to ourselves, but always toward Jesus?

5. Zechariah’s doubt is met with discipline—but also grace

When Zechariah questions the angel, Gabriel strikes him mute—not forever, but until the promise is fulfilled. It’s a temporary consequence, but one with meaning.

Sometimes, walking with God leaves a mark. Think of Jacob limping after wrestling with the angel. Our encounters with God—especially when they confront our doubts—can change us. They can humble us. But they also prepare us for what’s next.

So where are you in this story today?

  • Maybe you’re like Zechariah, going through the motions of your routine, and God wants to interrupt it with something holy.
  • Maybe you’re like Elizabeth, carrying old griefs and wondering if anything new can grow.
  • Maybe you’re feeling like your story is too ordinary—or too far gone—but God still writes extraordinary chapters.
  • Or maybe you just need to be reminded that your job, like John’s, is simply to point others to Jesus.

Wherever you are, trust that God is showing up—even in the routine—and he’s at work.

Tomorrow, we’ll read the foretelling of Jesus’ birth, one of the most beautiful and powerful passages in scripture. I’m looking forward to that time with you.

Have a great day. See you tomorrow.

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