Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division Luke 1:8 WEB
This verse describes Zacharias, the Father of John the Baptist, performing his duty for the priest’s office. As a Levite, he and many others took turns performing ceremonial rites as members of the priestly order. Zacharias’ story highlights the struggle of faith and the fallibility of human understanding in spiritual matters. When confronted by an angel while performing the duties of the priest’s office, Zacharias disbelieves the news of his elder wife’s pregnancy.
In the service of God, the angel Gabriel brought Zacharias news of the conception of a son for he and his barren wife and he disbelieved. As a consequence, the angel imposed silence upon Zacharias until the time of the child’s birth. As we read in Luke 1:19-20, “The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.’ WEB”
Named by God
For any believer in Christ, Jesus administers the priest’s office. As the risen Son of God, our Savior is the perfect high priest who established and maintains the salvation of mankind. As Paul wrote in Hebrews 5:9-10, “Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. WEB”
Unlike Zacharias, Jesus is flawless. He is not part of the Hebrew order of Levite priests. God set Christ aside from traditional individuals who held the priest’s office. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is both king and high priest. The Lord’s perfect obedience to the word and will of God make him the greatest high priest possible.
Righteousness moves God and Jesus is righteous. As our advocate before God, his petitions carry weight. James urged his readers in James 5:16 to, “Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. WEB” As we confess our faults to the Lord, Jesus faithfully intervenes with our heavenly Father on our behalf continually petitioning God for our eternal well being.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity of your holy word. Thank you for the example and priesthood of Christ. Help me to live by his example. Guide my steps as I devote myself in obedience to the service of your heavenly kingdom. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Power of God
