The time for John’s birth arrived. It is recorded in Luke 1:57-66. It as elements of family stresses, nosy neighbors and miraculous happenings all combined to announce John to the world.

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. ⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ⁶⁰ but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” ⁶¹ They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” ⁶² Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

There were elements of stress leading up to the miraculous! Elizabeth’s birthing went well and the neighbors were relieved and joyous over John’s safe birth. The circumcisions party was to be held on the 8th day according to the Old Testament (Genesis 17:12-14) and everyone gathered at Zachariah and Elizabeth’s home. The baby was named traditionally after the father, so all gathered assuming the boy’s name would be Zachariah. Elizabeth stopped this and said he was to be named John just as the angel had instructed her. This announcement caused quite a stir and they went so far as to give Zachariah a piece of paper so he could write down the name he wanted. It astonished everyone gathered that he wrote John also. Once the baby’s name was announced immediately Zachariah’s mouth was opened and he was able to speak. He began praising God for the miraculous son they had been given and how glorious and powerful God was. (Zachariah’s actual praises will follow tomorrow.) All the family and neighbors for miles around began talking about Zachariah, Elizabeth and baby John. They wondered what God had in store for this special child of His.

What do you see of God in this event? First, there is His tender care for Elizabeth and her safe delivery of baby John. Next, the miraculous release of Zachariah’s speech with the naming of the child as they obediently did as God had commanded them to do through the angel. Then we see peoples’ marveling at the power and sovereignty of God in their midst. Even though this is a scene in an ancient time setting we can still relate. When has God shown you providential care? Did he use a neighbor, a skilled doctor, good medicines, or even warm chicken soup? God uses those around us to minister to our needs. Miracles happen all the time. They may not be as loud and spectacular as speech restored after months of silence, but God intervenes all the time in our lives. He heals the sick, provides for our needs when least expected and in unexpected ways. How have you taken advantage of one of God’s provisions in your life to witness for Him or simply give testimony for what He has done in your life? God deserved praises from Zachariah and he deserves praises from us too. Lastly, this story reminds us that God has a special place and mission for each of us in His Kingdom. We are loved and highly valued by Him. Paul gives his testimony of value in Galatians 2:20, could this be yours too? “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.“ Jesus came for each of us and died to make us free from sin and reconciled to Him. God had a special place for John, Elizabeth and Zachariah and as believers He has a place for us too!

Linda