What Jesus Did! 'Zechariah Returned Home' — Luke 1:21-23

Monday, January 9, 2023

[While Zechariah was being visited by the angel Gabriel], the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah's week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.

— Luke 1:21-23 NLT

Key Thought

In the first two chapters of Luke, God announced great news through angels. God did great things that excited and thrilled his faithful people. God's people were caught up in incredibly unique and significant experiences. Yet, at the end of these experiences, they had to return "home" to live out their everyday lives. Mountain-top experiences are not the norm for God's people. They are powerful reminders of God's love and grace that are constantly moving behind the scenes of our everyday lives. When heaven's grace and glory break through in unexpected ways, God's people are blessed with extraordinary gifts. In the first century, God gave his people those extraordinary gifts so that they could return to their everyday lives with faith, power, and confidence. They were blessed to bless those around them. Today, let's enjoy our mountain-top experiences of faith, but let's also remember to return "home" and share the blessings of our faith with those around us!

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, thank you for the mountain-top moments in my life when you felt so close and my faith was so vibrant. Help me to use the power of those moments to come back "home" and live with passionate faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 5:18-20
  • Luke 2:15-20
  • Luke 5:24-26

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:21-23 NLT — When Zechariah's week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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