The Birth of John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-66
“57) Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58) Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 59) And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. 60) But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61) And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62) And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63) And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” 64) And they were all astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65) Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66) All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.” Luke 1:57-66
The story of the birth of John the Baptist was intended to be a sign to Israel. Not only was it miraculous in terms of the age of Zacharias and Elizabeth, but at his naming the tongue of Zacharias was loosened.
Finally, after nine months of not being able to describe what happened to him in the temple, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and launched into praise of God.
According to Jewish custom, the eldest son was named after his father. He is legal heir of the family estate. At his circumcision, the officiating priest intended to call him Zacharias after his father. But both Elizabeth and Zacharias gave him the name John according to the command of the angel Gabriel. (See Luke 1:13)
Have you ever studied name changes in the Bible? Abrams name was changed to Abraham. Sarai was changed to Sarah. Jacob was changed to Israel. Even Saul was changed to Paul.
The changing of the name Zacharias to John was significant. Unfortunately, the family name stopped with John. There is no record of him ever marrying or having children. His mission was very specific. He prepared the way for the Messiah. The name “John the Baptist” is forever etched in an annals of human history.
There is one more contrast that must be noted in this story, Elizabeth was old and advanced in years while Mary was most likely a teenager. God uses both young and old to accomplish work. There is never an age excuse for not serving God! None are too old and none are too young.
So what is your excuse?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter:Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“57) Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58) Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 59) And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. 60) But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 61) And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62) And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63) And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” 64) And they were all astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65) Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 66) All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.” Luke 1:57-66
The story of the birth of John the Baptist was intended to be a sign to Israel. Not only was it miraculous in terms of the age of Zacharias and Elizabeth, but at his naming the tongue of Zacharias was loosened.
Finally, after nine months of not being able to describe what happened to him in the temple, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and launched into praise of God.
According to Jewish custom, the eldest son was named after his father. He is legal heir of the family estate. At his circumcision, the officiating priest intended to call him Zacharias after his father. But both Elizabeth and Zacharias gave him the name John according to the command of the angel Gabriel. (See Luke 1:13)
Have you ever studied name changes in the Bible? Abrams name was changed to Abraham. Sarai was changed to Sarah. Jacob was changed to Israel. Even Saul was changed to Paul.
The changing of the name Zacharias to John was significant. Unfortunately, the family name stopped with John. There is no record of him ever marrying or having children. His mission was very specific. He prepared the way for the Messiah. The name “John the Baptist” is forever etched in an annals of human history.
There is one more contrast that must be noted in this story, Elizabeth was old and advanced in years while Mary was most likely a teenager. God uses both young and old to accomplish work. There is never an age excuse for not serving God! None are too old and none are too young.
So what is your excuse?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter:Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
