“The Parents ofJohn the Baptist”

Pastor MichaelMetzger

12/14/2025

Sun ValleyChurch MT in Florence, Montana

Luke 1:5-23

5 - There was in the days of Herod, the king ofJudaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wifewas of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 - And they were both righteous before God,walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 - And they had no child, because thatElisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8 - And it came to pass, that while he executedthe priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9 - According to the custom of the priest'soffice, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 - And the whole multitude of the people werepraying without at the time of incense.

11 - And there appeared unto him an angel ofthe Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 - And when Zacharias saw him, he wastroubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 - But the angel said unto him, Fear not,Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee ason, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 - And thou shalt have joy and gladness; andmany shall rejoice at his birth.

15 - For he shall be great in the sight of theLord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filledwith the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 - And many of the children of Israel shallhe turn to the Lord their God.

17 - And he shall go before him in the spiritand power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and thedisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for theLord.

18 - And Zacharias said unto the angel, Wherebyshall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19 - And the angel answering said unto him, Iam Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee,and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20 - And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and notable to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thoubelievest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 - And the people waited for Zacharias, andmarvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 - And when he came out, he could not speakunto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for hebeckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23 - And it came to pass, that, as soon as thedays of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.