Thoughts for the Day

Luke 1:11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

Later (v19), we discover that the angel in question is Gabriel.  The bible records Gabriel appearing to 3 people: Daniel, who is terrified, Zechariah who is gripped with fear, and Mary who is greatly troubled.  Gabriel tells Zechariah and Mary not to be afraid.  But why would they be afraid?  In Hebrews we read that some have entertained angels without knowing it, so this is not an essential feature of all angelic encounters!  From this side of the Cross, the question seems valid; Gabriel is a messenger bringing good news to a person Luke describes as “upright, devout and blameless”, news from his loving heavenly Father, whose throne of grace we may now approach boldly ourselves.   But I suspect Zechariah would have found my question absurdly foolish.  Even he, as the priest on duty, would not venture behind the veil separating him from the awesome and fearful presence of God in the Holy of Holies, God who had told Moses “No one can see my face and live”.  “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you” says Gabriel.  And it seems simply this echo of God’s presence, without the mediation of Jesus, is enough to strike fear even into the upright and blameless.  Perhaps to appreciate the “Amazing Grace” in Jesus, we need to appreciate more that “Our God is an awesome God”.