Today we will learn about a special angel named Gabriel. The name Gabriel means a man of God, God’s able-bodied one, and famous bearer. One of Gabriel’s functions is a messenger of God. In the book of Daniel 9:21-23, Gabriel is referred to as the man Gabriel. However, in the book of Luke, Gabriel is called an angel of the Lord.
In Luke 1:11, Gabriel appears to a man named Zechariah who was a priest. Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple of the Lord. Zechariah was in charge of the burning of incense. This particular day, it took longer for Zechariah to come out and people wondered what had happened to him. Zechariah was having a conversation with Gabriel. When Zechariah saw Gabriel, he was troubled and fearful.
Luke 1:12-19: But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.”
The point of the story is that Gabriel was given an assignment from God to deliver to man. As you continue to read the story in the rest of Luke 1, we can see the outcome of the message that he told Zechariah. This message changed the whole world because John’s birth and death also prepared the way for Jesus to begin his ministry. Jesus’s ministry changed the world as it was known at that time and continues to this day. This occurred because of Gabriel’s message and John’s obedience. A testimony was written in the scriptures that we are certain about.
I believe that we are also messengers to write history with our testimony of who God is, His message, and the transformation that we willingly accepted. It is our responsibility to share to the whole world just as Gabriel, John, and Jesus did.
Is it possible? Absolutely. Never underestimate your testimony of your God given identity. Give it back to God to bring Him glory and bring others to the kingdom of God.
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Tony on the Border 