Once in a Lifetime

So it was that while he was serving as priest before God

in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood,

his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

And the whole multitude of people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

Then and angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him.

Luke 1:8-13

There were twenty-four divisions of the priesthood, each serving a week at a time twice a year, and all serving during the three annual festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Zacharias was a member of the eighth order, the order of Abijah, and they were apparently doing the first of their two weeks of service in the springtime just before the feast of Pentecost. Each day, incense had to twice be offered on the golden altar before the veil at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices. Lots were cast among the priests for each offering, and a priest was eligible only once. For Zacharias, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Accompanied by four assistants, Zacharias moved through the temple courts to the Bronze Altar on which the daily sacrifices were made. One assistant filled a golden censer with incense, one filled a golden bowl with coals from the altar. Two of the assistants had already been in the sanctuary preparing the seven-branched lampstand and the table of shewbread. As the priestly processional proceeded up the steps into the Holy Place, they struck an instrument which summoned the worshiping priests from all over the temple grounds. As a chorus assembled on the steps of the Beautiful Gate, the first two assistants went first into the sanctuary to retrieve the tools used previously in their cleaning duties. Next the two assistants entered to prepare the golden altar, spreading the coals out and placing the incense to the side. Finally, Zacharias entered and waited for the signal from the presiding priest.

When the signal was given, the assembled worshipers retreated from the inner court and fell on their faces in worship, spreading their hands before the Lord. In the Holy Place, Zacharias offered the incense on the coals, and the thick smoke of the offering ascended up before the veil which had once concealed the presence of God over the Ark of the Covenant. And suddenly, he was not alone. An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared there on the right side of the altar. To Zacharias' knowledge, this had never happened before, and he was troubled and greatly afraid.