The Conception Of The Man-Savior
THE CONCEPTION OF THE MAN-SAVIOR
The forerunner of the Man-Savior, John the Baptist, was not conceived by his parents' natu ral strength, for they were overage. Concerning this, Luke 1:7 says, "And they had no child, be cause Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in age." This was sovereign of the Lord. Thus they afforded God an opportunity to initi ate His gospel, not by man's natural strength but by His divine act.
BY THE DIVINE POWER IN A MIRACULOUS WAY
Zachariah was a priest of the course of Abijah. This was the eighth of the twenty-four courses of priestly service ordained by David (1 Chron. 24:10). "And it came about, that while he served as priest in the order of his course before God, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense" (Luke 1:8-9). Zachariah burned the incense on the incense altar within the Holy Place