Birth of John the Baptist

I believe you will see as we work our way through this gospel it is a detailed account giving us detailed information to help us to know and to grow in our walk with Christ.

This morning we are looking at

Zacharias’ prophesy and pronouncing

Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:57–59 NASB95

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.

Luke 1:60–62 NASB95

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.

Luke 1:63–65 NASB95

63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 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.

Luke 1:66 NASB95

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.

Any general observations?

What did the people hear and believe (vv.57-58)?

Heard the Lord displayed great mercy

Who is the “they” (v.59)?

The circumcision had to be done by a priest, but the relatives could be there for this thing. For this is a sign of the covenant with God.

Why did the name “John” not make sense to the people (v.61)?

There was no relative with that name

What happens with Zacharias when he proclaims his faith (v.64)?

His tongue is loosed and immediately spoke praise to God

What did the people believe, know (v.66)?

They knew that the hand of the Lord was with this child and wanted to know what the child will turn out to be.

Birth, circumcision, belief

Interesting fact of the times: According to Barclays commentary (i will paraphrase it) that at the time that the birth was near that the musicians would gather near the house and await the birth. If it were a boy they would break out in music and song with rejoicing. If it was a girl, well, they would all go away silently and regretfully.

What else we can know. Mary had come to Elizabeth when Elizabeth was in her sixth month (1:36) and she stayed there with her about three months (1:56) - was she there for the birth itself, we do not know.

How did the Lord show great mercy toward Elizabeth (consider 1:25, 1:58)?

By removing her shame of being barren even at an old age.

The fulfillment of the prophesy by Gabriel (1:14) is fulfilled at the birth (1:58) - - - God always keeps His promises!

Obedience, you can see the obedience of Elizabeth and Zacharias to the command given to call him John (1:60, 63) - - - We have heard of blind obedience, here it was silent obedience. It did not need a big fanfare it just needed faith.

Side note: The people motioned Zacharias with their hands, does that mean he was mute and deaf at the time? Some commentators believe that. Scripture does not support that, so it is just a speculation. We should be careful to stay to what the bible says. (maybe go back and read 1:20)

Even though Zacharias struggled in faith and paid the price for it. God gave him another chance and loosed his lips when he stepped in faith naming the child John. - - - God gives us chances to demonstrate our faith each day. Even when we fell short yesterday or even earlier today. God is the God of second chances until there is no more chances when He returns.

(Transition) Zacharias punishment for unbelief did not make him bitter, it made him better in the end when he understood and broke out in prophesy and proclamation in praise.

Zacharias prophesy and pronouncing

Luke 1:67–69 NASB95

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—

Luke 1:70–72 NASB95

70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant,

Luke 1:73–75 NASB95

73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

Luke 1:76–77 NASB95

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,

Luke 1:78–79 NASB95

78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:80 NASB95

80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Any particular verse stick out to you, if so why?

How was Zacharias able to make such a bold and beautiful prophesy and pronouncement (v.67)?

In this passage we see praise (v.68); history (v.69-75); prophesy (v.76-79) and, truth (v.80).

Let me give some summary of the passage then look for some applications we can get from it.

Under the power of the Holy Spirit the once mute man speaks.

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel (v.68)

Who visited, redeemed, raised up the horn of salvation

From the days of old (v.70)

Has spoken through the prophets of the salvation over our enemies

Just as it was sworn to Abraham (v.73)

To rescue us from our enemies so we might serve Him

To serve without fear, in holiness, and righteousness all the days of our lives (v.74-75)

From reminding of the blessings to the professing what was coming through his son.

You will be the prophet of the most high God (v.76)

You will go before and prepare His ways (v.76)

You will give knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of sins (v.77)

Will shine on those in darkness, and guide in into the way of peace (v.79)

God of promise, is the good of fruition, we know the rest of the story, John goes to fulfill everything the angel said to Zacharias! God prepared him in a desert place for the work that was ahead!

(below is a slide even though it is not in bold)

Mandates of John’s ministry

To give information (v.77)

John was going to be about preparing the way of the Lord through proclamation

May we do the same, proclaim the way of the Lord for he is coming back and we do not want anyone to miss out on the free salvation offered.

To provide illumination (v.79)

John brought about the illumination of Jesus by point to Him as the One who takes away the sin of the world, the very Lamb of God.

We bring illumination first by our life, how we live, and by bring the light of God’s word into peoples lives. - - - the Word is a light, a lamp unto our feet (here Zacharias says path)

To share direction (v.79)

John leads (by pointing) people to Jesus. To walk in the way of peace.

We are mandated to point people to Jesus, as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus is the way to the Father. We have the direction in our hands oh how to point people there!

Are we ready to fulfill the mandates?

(Pray) (Exit)

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