August 8, 2025 • 12 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
(00:24):
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 assured that you
are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and to
grant us the grace we need and the precious name
(01:12):
of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for sharing this
moment of prayer. Now immerse yourself and the teachings of
today's episode from Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
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
(02:01):
had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance,
albeit under the crushing weight of Rome's iron rule. Judaism thrived,
yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical interpretations, and
Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace. Israel cried
out for a savior to quell the religious and military turmoil.
(02:22):
In the age of King Herod's reign over Judea, a
priest named Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth served as pillars
of their community. Childless yet devout, 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
(02:45):
nurturing presence in their village.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the
Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from pray dot Com. 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 arrival. We immersed ourselves
(03:10):
in prophecy and history to 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 into the story of Zechariah
and Elizabeth. These two figures are significant to the overarching
(03:30):
narrative of scripture. Zechariah is a 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
(03:52):
in her old age. She also she also 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
(04:14):
the New Testaments, so let's immerse ourselves in their story,
and this dramatic telling of Loop chapter one afterwards will
take time to unpack the timeless Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
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
(04:50):
perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple steps,
the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light.
Zachariah greeted his fellow priests as they prepared to cast
lots for the day's rolls, a ritual of divine selection.
As the crowd of worshipers swelled outside the temple, lots
were cast under the radiant glow of the sunrise. Zachariah
(05:12):
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 honour of offering incense in
the Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart pounded with anticipation. To
his disbelief, his name emerged, bestowing him the rare opportunity
to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A resonating gong signaled his
(05:37):
steps towards the imposing veil that partitioned the Holy of Holies.
Clutching the incense, he entered the veiled room in 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. In unnerving silence pervaded,
(05:59):
broke only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat. Zachariah looked around,
getting the feeling that he was not alone. He knew
that 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.
(06:24):
Zachariah covered his eyes and fell to his knees. A
messenger from God 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,
(06:48):
but he was not a mere man. Perched beside the altar,
he spoke with calming reassurance, saying, fear not, Zachariah, your
prayers have been heard, he said, a hint of a smile,
dancing on his divine features. As Zachariah stood up, the
angel unfolded a divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear
(07:11):
you a son, and you shall call his name Chan.
The joy and gladness of his birth will bless your home,
for the Lord has chosen him for greatness. A smile
curled around the angel's face. He will turn many.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Of the children of Israel back to their God, and
he will go before him with the.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
Spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts
of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient back
to wisdom. He will prepare the way of the Lord.
Zachariah listened with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being
stood before him, the concept of his wife conceiving it
her age seemed impossible. But how can this be, zachari explained,
(07:57):
I am.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
An old man, and my wife if his advanced in years,
who he could impossibly? I am Gabriel, the angel interrupted
with righteous light.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
I styled in the presence of God himself. I was
sent to bring you good news. 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 2 (08:25):
Zachariah held his mouth 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
(08:47):
other close, and Zachariah shared a tender moment with his
bride of many years. In the ensuing months, Elizabeth felt
the first stirrings of life within her. As she touched
her belly, tears of joy streamed down her. Even as
she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his enforced silence.
They felt the divine hand in their lives. However, the
(09:09):
full breadth of God's plan was yet to unferl something
they would realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's cousin Mary.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
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.
(09:41):
Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel.
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
(10:01):
way of the Lord. John the Baptist 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
(10:24):
would live or die. Contrast 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
(10:47):
been in all 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 time of need. The role of a priest like
Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God,
(11:08):
making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense,
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. Zechariah's story
(11:29):
is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening
to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment
of the Old Testament. There is also profound imagery found
in Elizabeth. She had waited long for the Lord to
provide her with a child, and had lost hope that
she would ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state
(11:50):
of Israel. Then, Israel had pined after the promised son
foretold by the prophets, but it had been so long
that hope was fading. But God was on the move.
He visited Elizabeth in her old age, just like he
did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah. He opened up
(12:10):
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. Spiritually speaking, we are
unable to produce life for ourselves. We feel empty and
without hope, But God chooses to enliven us with his
(12:33):
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, we'll meet Elizabeth's
cousin Mary, who also receives a visit from the angel Gabriel.
God chooses her to carry a significant burden, and the
(12:55):
world will never be the same
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
(00:24):
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 assured that you
are always ready to listen, to extend mercy and to
grant us the grace we need and the precious name
(01:12):
of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for sharing this
moment of prayer. Now immerse yourself and the teachings of
today's episode from Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
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
(02:01):
had emerged as a hub of learning, religion, and governance,
albeit under the crushing weight of Rome's iron rule. Judaism thrived,
yet was gripped by the rigidity of pharisitical interpretations, and
Caesar's brutal regime overshadowed any semblance of peace. Israel cried
out for a savior to quell the religious and military turmoil.
(02:22):
In the age of King Herod's reign over Judea, a
priest named Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth served as pillars
of their community. Childless yet devout, 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
(02:45):
nurturing presence in their village.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the
Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from pray dot Com. 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 arrival. We immersed ourselves
(03:10):
in prophecy and history to 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 into the story of Zechariah
and Elizabeth. These two figures are significant to the overarching
(03:30):
narrative of scripture. Zechariah is a 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
(03:52):
in her old age. She also she also 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
(04:14):
the New Testaments, so let's immerse ourselves in their story,
and this dramatic telling of Loop chapter one afterwards will
take time to unpack the timeless Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
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
(04:50):
perform the rites that day. As he ascended the temple steps,
the Golden Tower of Jerusalem shimmered with the dawn's first light.
Zachariah greeted his fellow priests as they prepared to cast
lots for the day's rolls, a ritual of divine selection.
As the crowd of worshipers swelled outside the temple, lots
were cast under the radiant glow of the sunrise. Zachariah
(05:12):
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 honour of offering incense in
the Holy of Holies, Zachariah's heart pounded with anticipation. To
his disbelief, his name emerged, bestowing him the rare opportunity
to enter God's sanctified dwelling. A resonating gong signaled his
(05:37):
steps towards the imposing veil that partitioned the Holy of Holies.
Clutching the incense, he entered the veiled room in 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. In unnerving silence pervaded,
(05:59):
broke only by Zachariah's height and heartbeat. Zachariah looked around,
getting the feeling that he was not alone. He knew
that 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.
(06:24):
Zachariah covered his eyes and fell to his knees. A
messenger from God 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,
(06:48):
but he was not a mere man. Perched beside the altar,
he spoke with calming reassurance, saying, fear not, Zachariah, your
prayers have been heard, he said, a hint of a smile,
dancing on his divine features. As Zachariah stood up, the
angel unfolded a divine prophecy. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear
(07:11):
you a son, and you shall call his name Chan.
The joy and gladness of his birth will bless your home,
for the Lord has chosen him for greatness. A smile
curled around the angel's face. He will turn many.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Of the children of Israel back to their God, and
he will go before him with the.
Speaker 5 (07:32):
Spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts
of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient back
to wisdom. He will prepare the way of the Lord.
Zachariah listened with awe and disbelief. Although a divine being
stood before him, the concept of his wife conceiving it
her age seemed impossible. But how can this be, zachari explained,
(07:57):
I am.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
An old man, and my wife if his advanced in years,
who he could impossibly? I am Gabriel, the angel interrupted
with righteous light.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
I styled in the presence of God himself. I was
sent to bring you good news. 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 2 (08:25):
Zachariah held his mouth 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
(08:47):
other close, and Zachariah shared a tender moment with his
bride of many years. In the ensuing months, Elizabeth felt
the first stirrings of life within her. As she touched
her belly, tears of joy streamed down her. Even as
she praised God and Zachariah grappled with his enforced silence.
They felt the divine hand in their lives. However, the
(09:09):
full breadth of God's plan was yet to unferl something
they would realize with the unexpected visit of Elizabeth's cousin Mary.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
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.
(09:41):
Zechariah as a priest under the Old Covenant of Israel.
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
(10:01):
way of the Lord. John the Baptist 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
(10:24):
would live or die. Contrast 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
(10:47):
been in all 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 time of need. The role of a priest like
Zechariah was to be an intermediary between the people and God,
(11:08):
making prayers and sacrifices on their behalf. In a greater sense,
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. Zechariah's story
(11:29):
is the last Biblical account of a temple ritual, hearkening
to a new age of Christ, who is the fulfillment
of the Old Testament. There is also profound imagery found
in Elizabeth. She had waited long for the Lord to
provide her with a child, and had lost hope that
she would ever conceive. Her barrenness represents the lifeless state
(11:50):
of Israel. Then, Israel had pined after the promised son
foretold by the prophets, but it had been so long
that hope was fading. But God was on the move.
He visited Elizabeth in her old age, just like he
did with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah. He opened up
(12:10):
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. Spiritually speaking, we are
unable to produce life for ourselves. We feel empty and
without hope, But God chooses to enliven us with his
(12:33):
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, we'll meet Elizabeth's
cousin Mary, who also receives a visit from the angel Gabriel.
God chooses her to carry a significant burden, and the
(12:55):
world will never be the same
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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