Mute Button

Have you ever trying to read lips on TV when you've got the mute button on. Not with closed captioning but really trying to figure out what they are saying. Let's say you're on the phone with someone but you are trying to watch your favorite show at the same time. You kind of know what's going on but you can't get the whole message.
I'm amazed at the story of Zechariah in Luke 1. At the time, he didn't know it but he was living at the threshold of the most amazing historical events in history. He and his wife were dedicated to their God - they committed themselves to living holy and righteous lives. It seems that they were the ideal believers. In fact, it seems that if you were to ask the question, "What does a genuine believer look like?" it would be this couple. Zechariah was committed to loving God. But, he and his wife were desperate for fulfillment in one area - they could not have children. They prayed over and over to have children. I think that in Zechariah's mind, though, his hopes were fading because the years were slipping by.
Then, something incredible happened. Zechariah was chosen by lot to perform the priestly duties in the temple. That meant that he was most likely a Saducee. They did not believe in angels, so when an angel appeared at the right side of the alter, he did what all non-mystics do - hit the deck! Here's what's so shocking. The angel said, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." And, this is how Zechariah responded, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
Let me get this straight. You have been praying for something for a long time. Then, when God answers that prayer, you question not only how God is going to do it, but whether God can do it at all!
Zechariah taught me a couple of lessons today. First, we have to be careful not to let our theology get in the way of God doing something amazing in our life. We worship God - not the Torah, the Mishnah, Calvin, Wesley, Barth, or any other theological system. Second, I wonder how long Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying for a baby? But, in the perfect time, in the perfect season, in God's perfect plan to redeem humanity, God answered that prayer. Third, everyone knew that Zechariah had experienced something extraordinary in the the temple. But, because of Zechariah's unbelief, he was unable clearly communicate that experience - the angel made him mute. We find out later that his voice was restored when he lived in faith by naming his new son John.
I wonder sometimes if we have lost our voice. I wonder if sometimes God has pushed the mute button on us because of our unbelief. I wonder if sometimes the reason we can't effectively communicate the Gospel is because we don't believe God can do what He said He can do. I wonder if our family and friends don't listen to us because WE are the ones who don't believe in God.