It’s funny, I keep thinking of how Elizabeth’s baby leapt in the womb when Mary came in. How amazing it was to really catch his excitement. And today we get to see who that baby is to be. John the Baptist is born as seen in Luke 1: 57-66. Sorta following along with Unexplainable Jesus bible study.
Luke 1:57-66
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
John the Baptist is born
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
We already knew that Elizabeth was going to have a boy. The angel had told Zechariah this right? So this starting line is SO not a surprise eh? But what would they call him?!?! It should be Zechariah after his dad right? So let’s go forward with that eh? But then his momma steps in and days NO! That’s not his name!!
58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”
They Argued
This is the part that I think is so odd. Her neighbours and relatives argued with her! It’s like why would you argue with a parent about what they call their child? Their reasoning? None of their relatives have that name, so why would you use that? It made no sense to them. Defying tradition and all that.
Admittedly that would be hard to do at times right? I watch this lady on YouTube that helps people learn how to express and hold to a boundary WHILE understanding why you might get pushback. Some of the stories she tells I find hard to hear. I can’t really understand vitriol people spew at those who should be loved ones. For instance a MIL who gets cut off from one part of her family because she wildly upset that a grandchild wasn’t named after her. And then treats DIL badly because of it. Son steps in and says “Mom, enough, you can’t do this, you won’t stop. So done with it all.”.
61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”
So, since they lived in a patriarchal family, they asked Zechariah what the babes name should be. He confirmed it was to be John.
62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”
Zechariah’s Obedience
Zechariah did what he was supposed to. His silence, the consequence of his actions earlier, was finally broken. And I bet all the neighbours and relatives had even more questions. More wonder! And Zechariah praising God after all that had happened.
I so love that eh? That Zechariah endured the whole of Elizabeth’s pregnancy in silence. Unable to talk. Being reminded everyday to keep firm to his faith in God. And in the end, he praises God. We so need to do that eh? After discipline, to be grateful and able to praise God above.
And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
And yes, the neighbours and relatives had a reaction. They were afraid. They talked so much about what had happened and wondered what would become of John.
I’d have done the same. After seeing Zechariah become mute, affirm John’s name, and then immediately become unmute! It’s a wow and how can it be situation and would certainly have my brain and emotions whirling. Doesn’t it do the same for you?
God Made a Path
65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
This isn’t just a vague story. This is actual history. A story of God at work in the lives of his people. It should send us all into a time of praising God. John’s story is part of the fabric of our faith history. We need to see the wonder and the fear in it. God’s spread the news of John. He prepared the way for this man to speak of his Son, to prepare the way for the Lord. Rather awesome eh?
Follow Along
I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.
Every baby is a gift. Regardless of parentage or the situation they are born into.