History of the person
When you were twenty-five, what would you have predicted your life to be like when you reached age 50? 60? 70? beyond? I was teaching a freshman sociology class at a university some years back. As we discussed the aging process, most of them believed that somewhere between the ages of sixty and sixty-five it was time to take to the rocking chair and to go at a much slower pace. They expected that when they reached this age they would begin to lose their teeth, hearing and vision, along with their capacity to work and play. They conveyed that even the need for meaningful work, recreation and intimacy would begin to fade, and that contentment would come from merely sitting at the park and watching the clouds go by. They expressed that physically challenging tasks and sexual drive and fulfillment were beyond the reach of the older generation and difficult for their young minds to envision.
While it’s true that we may visit the physician or dentist more often, say “What did you say?” more frequently, and discover new lines from too much sun exposure as we gaze into a mirror, there is no basis in current research or in Scripture for the caricatures of ageism common to our culture today. Most certainly, advancing age does not diminish our place in God's plan for building His kingdom. Take, for example, the case of an elderly couple living in the land of Judea at the time of King Herod.
Zacharias was a priest. His wife’s name was Elisabeth. Scripture speaks highly of this couple and describes them as upstanding citizens of the Jewish community: “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.” (Luke 1:6, 7)
We find Zacharias performing his priestly duties and burning incense in the temple. Many people were praying outside and they had no idea that Zacharias was about to have an encounter with an angel. Not just any angel, mind you, one of the big ones – Gabriel himself! When the angel appeared, Zacharias was, quite naturally, afraid. But the angel tells him to fear not. He goes on to reveal that Zacharias and his wife are going to have a child. This child is to be named John and will not be just any child.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall 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 a people prepared for the Lord.
(Luke 1:15 -17)
Zacharias learns that he will not be able to speak until the child is born. Meanwhile, outside, the people are wondering what is taking him so long. When he leaves the temple, he is struck dumb and cannot verbalize what has happened to him. The people assume he has seen a vision. Zacharias finishes his commitment at the temple and returns home to Elisabeth, who conceives. What is her response to this most unusual, unexpected event?
My freshman college class may have predicted a heart attack or severe depression! They would have been sorely mistaken. Elisabeth was overjoyed! “Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.” (Luke 1:25) Elisabeth who had been barren for so long, and who in spite of her shame, loved and served the Lord, was now blessed beyond measure.
The amazing story of this family doesn’t end here. In the sixth month of her pregnancy she is visited by her cousin, Mary, also with child. Upon Mary’s arrival, the child within Elisabeth’s womb leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elisabeth praises Mary, the mother of their Savior, and their faithful, loving God who is about to deliver the promised Messiah to his people.
Elisabeth comes to term, and the child is born. Zacharias is able to speak again, and the people are amazed at what they hear. They wonder what shall become of this child, for surely the Lord’s hand has been upon him. Zacharias is filled with the Holy Spirit and says of his son:
Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people in the remission of their sins. Because of the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us. To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)
A blessing for Zacharias and Elisabeth; yes indeed, but so much more. This child would prepare the way for the Messiah.
Life Lesson
Both in their culture and in ours, Zacharias and Elisabeth were too old to have a child. But God does not put limits on what he will do because of age. Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous and blameless in the eyes of God. Those were the criteria that mattered - not where they fell on life’s timeline. Ageism can be insidious and lay the foundation for selling ourselves and others far short of what God may have in mind. God is not a respecter of persons, not of age. If you are, like Zacharias and Elisabeth, wholeheartedly placing your trust in God, lift your eyes and heart and see what He will do!
Life Question
Have you placed unnecessary limitations on yourself or a family member or friend because of your own beliefs about aging?
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