Zacharias was doing his priestly duty as, I’m sure, he had done for many years for he was “an old man” as he himself said. He was burning incense in the temple of the Lord, and the multitude of the people were outside in prayer while he was attending to the altar of incense. Another time for prayer. Another time for burning incense. It had happened hundreds of times before. Worship ritual. Show up. Pray. Go home.
But this time, something changed. God showed up! He showed up in the form of the angel Gabriel, and things would never be the same again!
“Zacharias, your prayer has been heard, and your wife will have a son, and you will name him John. He will be great in the sight of the Lord and will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zacharias is so stunned he doesn’t believe Gabriel’s message and so is made mute until after the child is born. When he exits the temple, he must make signs to the people to try to get them to understand he has seen a vision. When his course of service is over, he heads home, but home will not be the same again.
He can’t speak. That must have been an interesting adjustment for him and Elisabeth to make. How did she take the news from Gabriel? Shortly after, she becomes pregnant! It must all be true! Soon there will be a little boy in their house. Things will never be the same again.
And as we know, this John becomes the Baptizer who becomes the voice of one crying in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. God showed up in the person of John the Baptist. Things will never be the same again!
Has God ever showed up in your life? In a powerful message from His word? In a man or woman of great faith? In a moving event or a glorious blessing? You will never be the same again.