Devotionals by Raul Ries

THURSDAY December 4, 2025

God’s Silence Was Broken

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him [Zacharias], 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.”
Luke 1:11-13

It has been said that “silence is golden,” but in this case, it was not. God had not spoken to His people through a prophet or an angel for 400 years!   Incredibly, the story of Christ’s birth began with Zacharias, one of the priests chosen to perform a special duty––burning incense in the Temple––while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:8-10).

The people waited and soon began to marvel because he took so long. The angel Gabriel’s had been sent with a message to Zacharias, and at that very moment, 400 years of silence was broken. Zacharias came out of the temple, but he could not speak. The people thought he had seen a vision in the temple. Speechless, Zacharias gestured to them with his hands (Luke 1:21-22).

What was the angel Gabriel’s message to Zacharias from the Lord? God had heard the prayers of this dedicated priest. Zacharias was told the good news that his wife Elizabeth, who was beyond the age of childbearing, would become pregnant. The angel Gabriel also told Zacharias to name his son, John.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were chosen to become the parents of John. This child would grow to become the forerunner to Christ. His message would be: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” John’s parents played a special part in the story of the Savior’s birth, as their lives intertwined with His. John, as Jesus’ cousin, would herald the message, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). God was at work, bringing about His plans for the salvation of mankind.

We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.”
~Irenaeus of Lyons~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!