December 9, 2025 • 13 mins
God chooses two humble and faithful people to be the bridge that gaps the old and new covenants.
Today's Bible verse is Hebrews 4:16, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne
of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace
for help in time of need. Hebrews four sixteen. Gracious,
Heavenly Father, thank you for this incredible invitation to approach
you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we will find
(00:25):
grace and mercy in our time of need. Help us
to truly understand and appreciate this profound privilege. You have
opened the way for us through the sacrifice of your son.
Because of him, we can come to you directly with
all our fears, doubts, struggles and joys. Teach us to
(00:49):
turn to you in every situation, whether in times of joy, pain,
or uncertainty. May we continuously seek your face, assured that
you are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and
to grant us the grace we need. And the precious
(01:11):
name of Jesus, we pray Amen.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
The voice of God had remained silent towards his chosen
people for four hundred years. The sons and daughters of
Israel ached for the arrival of their prophesied savior, a
messiah promised by the scriptures to liberate them from their shackles.
Despite the silence, their faith persisted, grounded by rituals and
traditions that wove the fabric of their unique culture. Israel
(01:48):
had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance,
albeit under the crushing.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Weight of Rome's iron rule.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Juraism thrived, yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical
and interpretations, and Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace.
Israel cried out for a savior to quell the religious
and military turmoil. In the age of King Herod's reign
of a Judea, a priest named Zachariah and his wife
Elizabeth served as pillars of their community. Childless yet devout,
(02:19):
they sought solace and purpose in serving God. The barrenness
of their union was a silent wound they carried, yet
they found fulfillment in different ways. Zachariah was a priest
and Elizabeth was a nurturing presence in their village.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible in
a Year podcast today, but before we get to today's episode,
I want you to know that I would absolutely love
to send you my daily devotional that will give you
fresh encouragement every single morning and day from the moment
we wake up to the moment our head finally hits
the pillow. There are thousands of things demanding attention, but
(03:01):
it's in the midst of all this crush and hustle
and bustle that you and I need peace and truth
in God's Word. That's why I want to help you
spend time each day growing in God's life giving, life
changing word by sending you my free daily email devotional
PowerPoint Today. So visit Jagraham dot org to sign up
(03:23):
for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jagraham dot org. Jack
Graham dot org. We're taking time from now until Christmas
to explore the rich and powerful story of the Nativity.
So far, we've taken time to set the stage for
Christ's survival. We immersed ourselves in prophecy and history to
(03:46):
put ourselves in the shoes of ancient Israel. The prophecies
have been declared, the boot of Rome is pressed down harder,
and Israel is ready for its redeemer. Now we enter
the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. These two figures are
significant to the overarching narrative of scripture. Zechariah as a
(04:06):
priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. He ministers in
the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf of God's people.
He represents the law of Moses and the relationship between
God and Israel. Elizabeth, much like the matriarchs of the
Old Testament, is barren in her old age. She also
(04:26):
represents the Old Covenant people who pine after a child
to save them. Zechariah and Elizabeth are about to be
visited by an angel, hearkening to the arrival of a
new covenant established by God. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the
transition between the Old and the New Testaments. So let's
immerse ourselves in their story in this dramatic telling of
(04:49):
loop Chapter one. Afterwards will take time to unpack the
timeless Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Zachariah rose from his bed with aching bones. The sun
rose over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Its light trickled in
ever so slightly through his window, illuminating his sleeping wife
beside him. He adorned himself in his ceremonial garb and
prepared for the day of Atonement, a sacred occasion marked
by offerings and sacrifices. His priestly division was assigned to
(05:20):
perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple's steps,
the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Zachariah greeted his fellow priests.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
As they prepared to cast lots for the day's rolls,
a ritual of divine selection. As the crowd of worshippers
swelled outside the temple, lots were cast under the radiant
glow of the sunrise. Zachariah looked on as two of
his companions were chosen to prepare the altar and perform
the morning sacrifice. As the third lot was cast the
(05:50):
honour of offering incense in the Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart
pounded with anticipation. To his disbelief, his name urged, bestowing
him the rare opportunity to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A
resonating gong signaled his steps towards the imposing veil that
partitioned the Holy of Holies. Clutching the incense, he entered
(06:14):
the veiled room, an enclave reserved for the yearly ritual.
The dimly lit sanctuary, accented by the soft glow of
a solitary lampstand was filled with the smoky aroma of incense.
An unnerving silence pervaded, broken only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat.
Zachariah looked around, getting the feeling that he was not alone.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
He knew that.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Entering the inner sanctuary meant he would be in the
presence of God, Yet he felt something else in the room,
something otherworldly, was with him. Before he could articulate a prayer,
a radiant being appeared beside the altar. Zacharia covered his
eyes and fell to his knees. A messenger from God
(06:59):
stood before him, an angel whose visage was partially obscured
by the incense smoke. Zachariah pressed his face to the ground,
his mind consumed by the notion of imminent death. Is
God going to strike me down? Thought Zachariah. Fear overcame him.
The angel's features were human like, but he was not
(07:19):
a mere man. Perched beside the altar, he spoke with
calming reassurance, saying.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
Fear not, Zachariah, Your prayers have been heard, He said, a.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Hint of a smile, dancing on his divine features. As
Zachariah stood up, the angel unfolded a divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth,
will bear you a son, and you shall call his
name Charn. The joy and gladness of his birth will
breash your home, for the Lord has chosen him for greatness.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
A smile curled around the angel's face.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
He will turn many of the children of Israel back
to the God, and he will go before him with
the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the
hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient
back to wisdom.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
He will prepare the way of the Lord. Zechariah listened
with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being stood before him,
the concept of his wife conceiving it her age seemed impossible.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
But how can this be? Zacharia explained, I am an.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Old man, and my wife is advanced in years who
he could impossibly I am Gabriel. The angel interrupted with
righteous light.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
I stiled in the presence of God himself.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
I was sent to bring you good news.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Yet you stand here in doubt of His power because
you have not believed my words. You will be silent
until the promise of God has been fulfilled.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Zachariah held his mouth.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
And felt the power of his voice leave him. In
an instant, Gabriel departed from him, emerging from the Holy
of Holies. Zachariah was rendered mute, instilling a sense of
trepidation amongst the other priests. He returned home, unable to
share what he had seen. He entered his home and
greeted his wife. They held each other close, and Zachariah
(09:19):
shared a tender moment with his bride of many years.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
In the ensuing months.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of life within her.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
As she touched her belly. Tears of joy streamed down
her face.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Even as she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his
enforced silence. They felt the divine hand in their lives. However,
the full breadth of God's plan was yet to unferl
something they would realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's
cousin Mary.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Our podcast has been dedicated to finding the synergy between
the Gospel and the Hebrew Bible. One of the most
significant links between the two is the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth,
and John the Baptist. These figures connect the traditions of
the Old Testament to the hope of the New Testament.
Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel.
(10:14):
He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf
of God's people, though sacrifices ultimately pointed toward the atonement
of Jesus on the Cross. When he meets Gabriel, he's
told that his son would be a herald proclaiming the
way of the Lord. John the Baptist would go on
to be a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for
(10:37):
his arrival. John the Baptizer would go on to be
a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for his arrival.
We cannot underestimate the powerful imagery used in the account
of Luke. Zechariah entered the presence of God with fear,
adorned in ceremonial garments, not sure if he would live
(10:58):
or die. Contrasts that with the encouragement we are given
in Hebrews chapter four. Having then a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.
Let's hold tightly to our confession for we don't have
a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities, but one who has been in all
(11:20):
points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let's therefore
draw near with boldness to the Throne of Grace, that
we may receive mercy and may find grace for help
in time of need. The role of a priest like
Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God,
making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense,
(11:45):
Jesus is our high priest, which connects us to the
heart of God. Because of his sacrifice on the cross,
we don't have to approach God with trepidation, but with
boldness and assurance of his love for us. Marjah's story
is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening
to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment
(12:07):
of the Old Testament. There's also profound imagery found in Elizabeth.
She had waited long for the Lord to provide her
with a child and had lost hope, but she would
ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state of Israel.
Then Israel had pined after the promised son foretold by
the prophets. But it had been so long that hope
(12:31):
was fading. But God was on the move. He visited
Elizabeth and her old age, just like he did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel,
and Hannah. He opened up her womb and gave her
a son, John. All these accounts in the Bible of
barren wombs bearing children illustrate what God does in our hearts.
(12:54):
Spiritually speaking, we are unable to produce life for ourselves,
feel empty and without hope, but God chooses to enliven
us with his spirit and fill us to the brim
with new life. The miraculous nature of John's conception also
prepares us for another miraculous conception. In our next episode,
(13:18):
we'll meet Elizabeth's cousin Mary, who receives a visit from
the angel Gabriel. God chooses her to carry a significant
burden and the world will never be the same. Thank
you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, and before we go,
I want you to know that I would love to
(13:40):
send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement
every single day, so visit Jack Graham dot org to
sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional that's Jack Graham
dot org.
Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne
of Grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace
for help in time of need. Hebrews four sixteen. Gracious,
Heavenly Father, thank you for this incredible invitation to approach
you with boldness and confidence, knowing that we will find
(00:25):
grace and mercy in our time of need. Help us
to truly understand and appreciate this profound privilege. You have
opened the way for us through the sacrifice of your son.
Because of him, we can come to you directly with
all our fears, doubts, struggles and joys. Teach us to
(00:49):
turn to you in every situation, whether in times of joy, pain,
or uncertainty. May we continuously seek your face, assured that
you are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and
to grant us the grace we need. And the precious
(01:11):
name of Jesus, we pray Amen.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
The voice of God had remained silent towards his chosen
people for four hundred years. The sons and daughters of
Israel ached for the arrival of their prophesied savior, a
messiah promised by the scriptures to liberate them from their shackles.
Despite the silence, their faith persisted, grounded by rituals and
traditions that wove the fabric of their unique culture. Israel
(01:48):
had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance,
albeit under the crushing.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Weight of Rome's iron rule.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Juraism thrived, yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical
and interpretations, and Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace.
Israel cried out for a savior to quell the religious
and military turmoil. In the age of King Herod's reign
of a Judea, a priest named Zachariah and his wife
Elizabeth served as pillars of their community. Childless yet devout,
(02:19):
they sought solace and purpose in serving God. The barrenness
of their union was a silent wound they carried, yet
they found fulfillment in different ways. Zachariah was a priest
and Elizabeth was a nurturing presence in their village.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
I'm so glad you've joined us on the Bible in
a Year podcast today, but before we get to today's episode,
I want you to know that I would absolutely love
to send you my daily devotional that will give you
fresh encouragement every single morning and day from the moment
we wake up to the moment our head finally hits
the pillow. There are thousands of things demanding attention, but
(03:01):
it's in the midst of all this crush and hustle
and bustle that you and I need peace and truth
in God's Word. That's why I want to help you
spend time each day growing in God's life giving, life
changing word by sending you my free daily email devotional
PowerPoint Today. So visit Jagraham dot org to sign up
(03:23):
for your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's Jagraham dot org. Jack
Graham dot org. We're taking time from now until Christmas
to explore the rich and powerful story of the Nativity.
So far, we've taken time to set the stage for
Christ's survival. We immersed ourselves in prophecy and history to
(03:46):
put ourselves in the shoes of ancient Israel. The prophecies
have been declared, the boot of Rome is pressed down harder,
and Israel is ready for its redeemer. Now we enter
the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. These two figures are
significant to the overarching narrative of scripture. Zechariah as a
(04:06):
priest under the Old Covenant of Israel. He ministers in
the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf of God's people.
He represents the law of Moses and the relationship between
God and Israel. Elizabeth, much like the matriarchs of the
Old Testament, is barren in her old age. She also
(04:26):
represents the Old Covenant people who pine after a child
to save them. Zechariah and Elizabeth are about to be
visited by an angel, hearkening to the arrival of a
new covenant established by God. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the
transition between the Old and the New Testaments. So let's
immerse ourselves in their story in this dramatic telling of
(04:49):
loop Chapter one. Afterwards will take time to unpack the
timeless Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Zachariah rose from his bed with aching bones. The sun
rose over the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Its light trickled in
ever so slightly through his window, illuminating his sleeping wife
beside him. He adorned himself in his ceremonial garb and
prepared for the day of Atonement, a sacred occasion marked
by offerings and sacrifices. His priestly division was assigned to
(05:20):
perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple's steps,
the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Zachariah greeted his fellow priests.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
As they prepared to cast lots for the day's rolls,
a ritual of divine selection. As the crowd of worshippers
swelled outside the temple, lots were cast under the radiant
glow of the sunrise. Zachariah looked on as two of
his companions were chosen to prepare the altar and perform
the morning sacrifice. As the third lot was cast the
(05:50):
honour of offering incense in the Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart
pounded with anticipation. To his disbelief, his name urged, bestowing
him the rare opportunity to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A
resonating gong signaled his steps towards the imposing veil that
partitioned the Holy of Holies. Clutching the incense, he entered
(06:14):
the veiled room, an enclave reserved for the yearly ritual.
The dimly lit sanctuary, accented by the soft glow of
a solitary lampstand was filled with the smoky aroma of incense.
An unnerving silence pervaded, broken only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat.
Zachariah looked around, getting the feeling that he was not alone.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
He knew that.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Entering the inner sanctuary meant he would be in the
presence of God, Yet he felt something else in the room,
something otherworldly, was with him. Before he could articulate a prayer,
a radiant being appeared beside the altar. Zacharia covered his
eyes and fell to his knees. A messenger from God
(06:59):
stood before him, an angel whose visage was partially obscured
by the incense smoke. Zachariah pressed his face to the ground,
his mind consumed by the notion of imminent death. Is
God going to strike me down? Thought Zachariah. Fear overcame him.
The angel's features were human like, but he was not
(07:19):
a mere man. Perched beside the altar, he spoke with
calming reassurance, saying.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
Fear not, Zachariah, Your prayers have been heard, He said, a.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Hint of a smile, dancing on his divine features. As
Zachariah stood up, the angel unfolded a divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth,
will bear you a son, and you shall call his
name Charn. The joy and gladness of his birth will
breash your home, for the Lord has chosen him for greatness.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
A smile curled around the angel's face.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
He will turn many of the children of Israel back
to the God, and he will go before him with
the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the
hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient
back to wisdom.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
He will prepare the way of the Lord. Zechariah listened
with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being stood before him,
the concept of his wife conceiving it her age seemed impossible.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
But how can this be? Zacharia explained, I am an.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Old man, and my wife is advanced in years who
he could impossibly I am Gabriel. The angel interrupted with
righteous light.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
I stiled in the presence of God himself.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
I was sent to bring you good news.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Yet you stand here in doubt of His power because
you have not believed my words. You will be silent
until the promise of God has been fulfilled.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Zachariah held his mouth.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
And felt the power of his voice leave him. In
an instant, Gabriel departed from him, emerging from the Holy
of Holies. Zachariah was rendered mute, instilling a sense of
trepidation amongst the other priests. He returned home, unable to
share what he had seen. He entered his home and
greeted his wife. They held each other close, and Zachariah
(09:19):
shared a tender moment with his bride of many years.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
In the ensuing months.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of life within her.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
As she touched her belly. Tears of joy streamed down
her face.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Even as she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his
enforced silence. They felt the divine hand in their lives. However,
the full breadth of God's plan was yet to unferl
something they would realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's
cousin Mary.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Our podcast has been dedicated to finding the synergy between
the Gospel and the Hebrew Bible. One of the most
significant links between the two is the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth,
and John the Baptist. These figures connect the traditions of
the Old Testament to the hope of the New Testament.
Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel.
(10:14):
He ministers in the temple and performs sacrifices on behalf
of God's people, though sacrifices ultimately pointed toward the atonement
of Jesus on the Cross. When he meets Gabriel, he's
told that his son would be a herald proclaiming the
way of the Lord. John the Baptist would go on
to be a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for
(10:37):
his arrival. John the Baptizer would go on to be
a forerunner for Jesus, preparing people's hearts for his arrival.
We cannot underestimate the powerful imagery used in the account
of Luke. Zechariah entered the presence of God with fear,
adorned in ceremonial garments, not sure if he would live
(10:58):
or die. Contrasts that with the encouragement we are given
in Hebrews chapter four. Having then a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.
Let's hold tightly to our confession for we don't have
a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities, but one who has been in all
(11:20):
points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let's therefore
draw near with boldness to the Throne of Grace, that
we may receive mercy and may find grace for help
in time of need. The role of a priest like
Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God,
making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense,
(11:45):
Jesus is our high priest, which connects us to the
heart of God. Because of his sacrifice on the cross,
we don't have to approach God with trepidation, but with
boldness and assurance of his love for us. Marjah's story
is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening
to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment
(12:07):
of the Old Testament. There's also profound imagery found in Elizabeth.
She had waited long for the Lord to provide her
with a child and had lost hope, but she would
ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state of Israel.
Then Israel had pined after the promised son foretold by
the prophets. But it had been so long that hope
(12:31):
was fading. But God was on the move. He visited
Elizabeth and her old age, just like he did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel,
and Hannah. He opened up her womb and gave her
a son, John. All these accounts in the Bible of
barren wombs bearing children illustrate what God does in our hearts.
(12:54):
Spiritually speaking, we are unable to produce life for ourselves,
feel empty and without hope, but God chooses to enliven
us with his spirit and fill us to the brim
with new life. The miraculous nature of John's conception also
prepares us for another miraculous conception. In our next episode,
(13:18):
we'll meet Elizabeth's cousin Mary, who receives a visit from
the angel Gabriel. God chooses her to carry a significant
burden and the world will never be the same. Thank
you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas, and before we go,
I want you to know that I would love to
(13:40):
send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement
every single day, so visit Jack Graham dot org to
sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional that's Jack Graham
dot org.
Host
Jack Graham
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