Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth have been unable to have children. This would have been a terrible grieving for them and society could have decided [and most likely did] that Elizabeth's barrenness was due to her 'unrighteousness' before God.
Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the inner portion of the temple to tell him that God has gifted them with a child: a boy - a very special boy. His name would be John "God is gracious" and would call his people to repentance.
Zechariah's response was, "What sign will you give me that this will happen?"
What? An angel wasn't enough?
He couldn't wait to see if Elizabeth gained some weight?
I can't even begin to figure out why the visitation by an angel was not enough for Zechariah. Perhaps he was babbling, but certainly his request for a 'sign' was not received well; he was struck mute until the day John was born.
I just wonder if maybe we have been visited by angels and couldn't see them for what they were: messengers from God, bringing good news, bridging the gap between our reality and divine reality. I wouldn't be surprised if I have been guilty of wanting a sign, being unwilling to wait, or simply ignoring the messenger.
Even though I would expect an angel, certainly one as important as Gabriel, to show up with bright lights and possibly wings, perhaps God doesn't work according to my expectations. [Perhaps??]
Let us be on the look out for angels inviting us to be a part of God's great plan for this world, and just possibly, remember not to ask for a sign!
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