“Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.”
God announced the coming birth of John the Baptist by an angel (v. 11). The ministry of angels is undoubtedly a deep subject. At no time do we read of so many appearances of angels as about the time of our Lord’s incarnation and entrance into the world. The meaning of this circumstance is sufficiently clear. It was meant to teach the church that Messiah was no angel, but the Lord of angels, as well as of men.
One thing about angels we must never forget. They take a deep interest in the work of Christ and the salvation that Christ has provided. They sang high praise when the Son of God came down to make peace by his own blood between God and man. They rejoice when sinners repent. They delight to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Let us strive to be like them, while we are on earth—to be of their mind, and to share their joys.
The appearance of an angel produced a marked effect on the mind of Zacharias (v. 12). The experience of this righteous man tallies exactly with that of other saints who saw visions of things belonging to another world (Exod. 3:6; Dan. 10:7–9; Matt. 28:8; Rev. 1: 17). They trembled and were afraid.
How are we to account for this fear? It arises from our inward sense of weakness, guilt and corruption. The vision of an inhabitant of heaven reminds us forcibly of our own imperfection and of our natural unfitness to stand before God. If angels are so great and terrible, what must the Lord of angels be?
Let us bless God that we have a mighty Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Believing on him, we may draw near to God with boldness and look forward to the Day of Judgement without fear. But let us tremble when we think of the terror of the wicked at the last day.