Gospels Part 075
Let’s understand the amazing significance of the angel’s words to Zechariah.
Today, we continue our story of Zechariah in Luke 1:8-10:
“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense” (New English Translation).
The people gathered outside the temple to pray at the time of the offering of the incense, which took place at the time of the morning and afternoon sacrifices, approximately at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Zechariah takes the container of incense and goes into the Temple to offer the incense representing the prayers of God’s people. This must have been the highlight of his lifetime as a priest. He slowly and reverently approaches the incense altar in front of the Holy of Holies, the holiest part of the temple.
He is all alone, separated by only a few steps and a heavy curtain from the Holy of Holies, which was thought to contain the very presence of God. With hands perhaps trembling, he stands with the container of incense before the altar and begins the customary prayer that was offered at this time.
What did he pray? Is it possible that his prayer included a request for a son, one last time, thinking this was as close to God’s presence as he would ever be? We don’t know. But according to some sources, we do know from Jewish tradition the prayer that was supposed to be spoken in the offering of incense. We can’t say with 100 percent certainty that this is completely correct but considering how meticulously the Jewish religious leadership recorded everything else about the temple in their writings from around this time, it is likely accurate conceptually, if not word-for-word.
Picture Zechariah, this elderly priest, standing before the incense altar and praying. According to the Mishnah, his prayer included a line that goes like this: “Send us the one who will prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.”
And as Zechariah prays before the altar of incense, he becomes aware of another presence in the room where he is supposed to be all alone. He realizes that he is not alone—an angel is there with him!
Continuing the account in Luke 1:11-13:
“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John’” (NET).
Here is a profound answer to prayer. The angel’s message is a direct response to the prayer of Zechariah that God would send the one who would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!
The angel tells Zechariah that he is to name his son John—Jochanon in Hebrew, meaning “God is a gracious giver.” Consider this for a moment. Today our names are basically meaningless and detached from their roots, if there were any. This wasn’t the case in biblical times. Parents, and in some notable cases God Himself, bestowed names that were deeply significant and conveyed the parents’ hopes and dreams for their child or God’s special purpose for him.
The angel tells Zechariah that God is about to give Zechariah the gift he has waited for throughout the decades of his adult life. He tells Zechariah to name his son, “God is a gracious giver.” So, every time Zechariah says his son’s name, Zechariah will be reminded that “God is a gracious giver.” Every time John—Jochanon—hears his name pronounced, he will be reminded that “God is a gracious giver” and that his birth is the result of a miracle from God!
I don’t know how that strikes you. To me, it is incredibly powerful! When we look at the context, God is using a system and timing that had been set up roughly a thousand years earlier in the time of King David to make this particular announcement to this particular elderly priest about the coming of the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah! This event shows that we worship not a God of chance, but a God of precision and planning and perfection in everything He does.
He is a God who is always faithful. He is the God who remembers what He promises. And what does the name Zechariah mean? “Remembered by God.” God remembered faithful Zechariah and Elizabeth and gave them a son whom they were to name “God is a gracious giver.” As you can see, there is a lot to this story when we understand the background!
© 2026 Scott Ashley. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
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Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
