Zechariah the Priest

A song of ascents. - Psalm 121
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” …

     Tonight begins a season called Advent, “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.”
     In Christian terms, this means we are awaiting the arrival of Christmas, or more importantly, the coming of the Messiah into the world to bring Salvation for those who will accept and believe, and peace on earth.

Advent Journeys - a great book to read during December

     The season did not begin with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. It did not begin in the New Testament, the story of Christmas can be seen throughout the entire Bible. Many verses in what is known as the Old Testament set the foundation and predict the arrival of the Messiah. The idea for Christmas began in the heart of God before the foundation of the world.

Floor of Beit Alpha Synagogue

     In the Christmas season this year, I want to focus on things of God that will prepare our hearts for the traditional Advent of Christ on December 25. The blogs this month will go along with the book Advent Journeys, which I would encourage everyone to read. [This can be done by purchasing a book, a Kindle e-book, or by reading the devotions on Amazon Prime].

Ein-Kerem, where Zechariah the Priest lived

     The first Journey of Christmas begins with a Priest named Zechariah. This man is often unfamiliar to readers of the New Testament, but his story occupies a large part of Luke 1. In this chapter, God connects us to the Hebrew Bible, called the Tanakh or Old Testament, to the words of the prophets, and to the world of Judaism in the days of Jesus.

Approaching Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus

     Zechariah is a Priest, a descendant of Levi, who serves in the Temple on rotation about five weeks each year. This system was set up by King David and instituted by King Solomon in order to create efficiency in Temple operations. Through the use of what the Jewish people call mishmarot or ma’amadot, every Levite between 30 and 50 years of age was able to serve in the Temple. (See 1 Chronicles 24-26) Zechariah the Priest is of the mishmarot of Abijah.

Temple model from Israel Museum, Jerusalem

     The story of Zechariah in my book Advent Journeys will take many Christian readers into unfamiliar territory. Worship today, whether in the Jewish Synagogue or the Christian Church has changed since the first century. The building called the Temple along with its traditions and practices was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. However, the things of the Temple were very familiar in the days of Jesus, and to his Disciples.

The Temple from model at the Israel Museum

     The Gospel of Luke originates in the Holy Place o f the Temple. It shares some similarity to Isaiah 6, where God breaks into history with a message for His people. Through the acts of God, the Priest Zechariah is able to carry the message of Christmas to his family and friends so that they and others might understand the coming of the Messiah.

Website - www.KosherCopy.com

     Please take time this week to read Advent Journeys and this year’s embellishments that are contained in this blog.