Being childless can be quite a depressing thing. Concerns about the future, inheritance, legacy, and the possibility of dying without seeing your family line carry on weigh heavy on those who have no children. Yet despite this, we are called to still serve the Lord, according to the example of righteouse Zecharias who still served God in the order of his division. This practice had been established in the time of Nehemiah, with the rebuilding of the second temple.
He was not the only one serving. The order of the priests still rotated their duties to tend to the business of the temple, the burning of the incense, and the offering of sacrifices. Note that all the Old Testament rituals of cleansing and santification still apply to the priest who is to enter into the holy of holies. Thus, the standard of holiness, the act of offering and worship do not get neglected even if we might have unsettled business in our own lives.
From these three verses, Luke paints a picture of the drudgery of repetition, the emptiness and weariness of waiting for change, for hope, while still obeying the commands of the Lord. How we need to remind ourselves not to be sidetracked or lose hope when there are extended times of silence from the Lord. Most importantly, we live in the age where we are waiting on the return of Jesus Christ. Waiting, and continually living out our lives.
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