God and the Unexpected

April 21, 2025 | Read and Think About Luke 1:5-17

There is no doubting the importance of John the Baptist. There were only two people whose birth was announced by an angel in the New Testament – the other being Jesus. According to the angel, John the Baptist had a heck of a mission statement: to make ready a people who are prepared for the coming of the Lord. (v. 17.)

There are so many things we could pull from this passage to reflect on. But for me, there is one thing that stands above even the supernatural entrance of the angel Gabriel, the priestly role of Zechariah, the way he was startled and gripped with fear, and the assembly of worshippers curious over the unusual events of that day.

It is that God does the unexpected. Notice all these unexpected things, large and small, in the

short passage:

• The angel Gabriel visiting Zechariah

• Zechariah did not exit the Temple when he was supposed to

• When Zechariah did exit, he was unable to speak

• The naming of the baby as “John” – not Zechariah – was unexpected

• No one expected Zechariah and Elizabeth to become parents at this point, least of all themselves

• And finally, John the Baptist was nothing like what people would expect as he lived out his life, as we shall soon see.

  
  

Zechariah had an appointment with God’s messenger that day, a very unexpected one at that. So much was being put in motion that day, and it started with this unexpected meeting. And like a huge door that starts to open ever so slowly, God’s plan was beginning this new chapter.

The story reminds us that God is always doing the unexpected, just as he did in Zechariah’s life. In a world of highs and lows; joy and heartache; gain and loss; success and strife; birth and death, God is at work, bringing about His plan of salvation to the world. Let’s pause and think about that a moment. No matter our past or our present circumstances, God can use me, and He can use you, as He does unexpected things in us, through us, and around us, as He unfolds

His plan.