BS1K - THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
What happened when Elizabeth had her baby?
Luke 1:57-58
It was a real community affair and on the 8th day of John’s life --which was the day required for a child to be circumcised-- it continued to be a community affair. Luke describes the scene for us.
Luke 1:59-66
Normally, the first born would be called by his father’s name. But what did Elizabeth say his name was to be?
Luke 1:60
This started the community’s protest. “None of your kindred has the name of John. This will be confusing in the genealogical tables. Don’t you know that it’s important for family names to be kept distinct? Besides, naming him Zachariah will honor you as the parents and also his ancestors!”
So, they turned from Elizabeth and looked at Zachariah for some sense in this situation. Zachariah, who still couldn’t speak, took a writing tablet and confirmed what his wife had just said. “His name is John.” This act of obedience to what God asked him to do, immediately opened his mouth again so that he could speak for the first time in 9 months. And what were the first words he spoke?
Luke 1:64
This was a sign from God that had two results. First, Zachariah’s restored speech convinced them all that God was in this and how did they react?
Luke 1:65
And second, we see a question bubbling up within every heart as they could clearly see that God was showing them favor.
Luke 1:66
Then, what happens to Zachariah and how do we know it?
Luke 1:67
Remember, when the Holy Spirit fills someone He uses them to foretell events, praise God, and share truth with others. Read the entire prophesy and then let’s look at it together.
Luke 1:68-79
From verse 68-75 we see praise for the way God has looked upon the world’s misery and has now come to bring salvation and relief. He has done this by raising up a “horn of salvation” which is someone we can flee to for safety. Modern translations say that “He has raised up a mighty savior”. This was all in keeping with what former prophets had predicted and now it was really coming true!
Verse 71 probably has a double meaning. Zachariah was no doubt thinking about the Romans when he spoke of enemies. But as with most prophesy it had a much deeper meaning. Our real enemies are not people but our sins, our natural propensity to sin, as well as Satan and his demons who are always on the look out for how to get us to sin. The Messiah came to save us from all these. We are saved from these enemies so that we can obey, honor, and worship God without fear – fear of death, fear of spiritual enemies, or fear of external foes.
Suddenly Zachariah’s prophesy changes as he prophesies for his son John.
What was John going to be called?
Luke 1:76a
And why was he going to be called that?
Luke 1:76b
John was appointed by God to declare His will and prepare the way for the Messiah. Remember earlier in our study we learned that in a kingdom government when a king visits a territory there is always a person who goes before the king to get the people and the place ready to receive the king. This was to be John’s role. What was the most important thing that John would tell people when it was the right time?
Luke 1:77
Zachariah uses the term “the dayspring from on High” in verse:
Luke 1:78
The dayspring was the morning light at the rising of the sun. A Son would be coming from Heaven that was about to bring us light from God himself. Who would this light specifically benefit?
Luke 1:79
Since we are all lost in sin, this means God’s light would be for all of us. To “guide our feet in the path of peace” was a figure of speech taken from travelers who were overcome by darkness and had to wait patiently for the morning light.
Jesus was to be the “sun of righteousness”, rising up amongst us humans to open our way to the road – the promised land of safety and rest – the road to Heaven.
This is the end of Zachariah’s prophesy and before Luke switches his focus to another story, he tells us a few more details about John.
Luke 1:80
The fact that John grew and “became strong in spirit” meant that he was growing in his knowledge and understanding of God’s purposes for his life, as well as the courage to act it out. There in the deserts of Hebron, where his family resided, he lived in obscurity until it was time for him to come onto center stage and play his part.
Next Study: BS1L- The Birth of Jesus - Getting Mary to Bethlehem