The Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:57-80

In an earlier Sermon, we saw how the angel Gabriel had prophesied to Zacharias that he and Elisabeth would have a son in their old age, and that they were to name their son John.

But long before Gabriel ever appeared to Zacharias, John’s birth was prophesied in the Old Testament by the prophet Malachi.

When John was finally born, the neighbors of Zacharias and Elisabeth came to rejoice with them.

It is likely that Mary was present for John’s birth as well.

Although Elisabeth was an older lady, God still allowed her the joy of delivering the child who would grow up to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we learn about the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, let us discover several truths that we can apply to our own lives.

I. The Arrival of John the Baptist

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

The time had come for Elisabeth to give birth, and everything is successful and the neighbors and her cousins rejoiced with her in this miracle.

I have seen recently on the internet some videos of men wearing a child birth simulator.

They put probes across their body and it sends electrical pulses to make the muscles contract.

Many women who have gone through child birth have said it is very similar.

Some say child birth may be easier.

It may depend if you have an epidural or not.

But no epidural was offered.

There was one video where a pastor tried to give announcements during a pre-recorded video to be shown on Mother’s Day while he was going through this simulated child birth.

It was quite funny.

I have great respect for my wife and all the other mother’s who have experienced this process to bring forth life.

But can you imagine Elisabeth…beyond the years of child bearing age…now giving birth to John.

I know Eleanor was the hardest for my wife, and she is no where near the age of Elisabeth here in this passage.

I have great respect for her dedication and faith.

This is one reason I wanted to name our first child Elizabeth.

But once John the Baptist was born we see a...

A. Dedication of the Baby

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

Circumcision was the mark of God’s covenant with the people of Israel.

This was performed in a ceremony by the child’s father eight days after the child’s birth.

Genesis 17:12–14 KJV

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

This was the time when they would name the baby.

If you will remember Zacharias has not been able to speak all throughout Elisabeth’s pregnancy.

That may be a preferable thing, considering how many times I stuck my foot in my mouth while my wife was pregnant.

But the people assume he will be named after his father, Zacharias.

But that is not what God’s plan was.

God revealed to the father, Zacharias, that he should be called John.

John 1:13 KJV

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

So then Elisabeth reveals to them...

B. The Identity of the Baby

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

The people around assume that his name will be named after the father, Zacharias.

But Elisabeth speaks up and says, “No, his name will be John.”

In the Jewish culture, it would have been normal for the baby to be named after his father, Zacharias.

But Elisabeth was clear that the boy’s name would be “John.”

“John?” everyone said, “Why John? There’s no one in your family named John.”

They must have thought this old woman, has been overcome with the process of child birth.

She is still recovering…she just doesn’t understand the question.

So they go to Zacharias and make signs to him…not sure why…The Bible doesn’t say he was deaf…they just has to talk to him.

Video - If you were blind how would you ask for something to drink…eat.

But he asks for a writing pad - and he wrote - “His name is John.”

And the Bible says they all marvelled.

I think these people need to get a life!

No matter what they thought John should become...John’s ministry would be distinct from the ministry his father had as a priest.

His authority would not come from his family line, but from God.

The name John means Favored of Jehovah, the Lord hath given grace.

I am so glad that the coming of our Savior, the one who spread forth the message that he was coming shared by his own name…The Lord hath given Grace!

C. Gratitude for the Baby

The Bible says at this very moment Zacharias’ mouth was opened and he could speak!

And teh first words are words of praise and gratitude!

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him

1. From Zacharias

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

Gabriel had pronounced that Zacharias would be unable to speak during the days of Elisabeth’s pregnancy due to his lack of faith.

Certainly, Zacharias was overjoyed at the birth of his son, and at the return of his voice.

And he praised God for the mighty things that God had done in their presence.

The Bible says that when Zacharias spoke forth he was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to prophesy.

But there was even more praise...

The Bible says that gratitude and praise was spread forth ...

2. From the neighbors

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

The people had fear when they heard Zacharias speak after so many months of silence.

Definition: fear, from the Greek phobos—alarm or fright.

Recognizing the miraculous hand of God in the events surrounding John’s birth brought fear and a sense of awe to those who witnessed it.

When we allow God to show himself mighty in our lives and yield to His will…we can have an opportunity to spread forth our testimony for all to hear how good God is to us!

II. The Announcement of Zacharias

Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to prophesy.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

In his song of benediction, Zacharias praised God as he witnessed the fulfillment of prophecy in the birth of John the Baptist.

He began by giving forth a ...

A. Praise for the Promise to David

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David;

This promise that Zacharias gives forth is commonly called the Davidic Covenant, in which God promised to give to Israel a kingdom without end.

The birth of John the Baptist was the first sign of this coming kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:12–14 KJV

12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

Zacharias, John’s father, praises God for three key things in his prophesy...

1. He has visited his people

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Remember it has been a long 400 years of silence from God.

When you are used to hearing from God, his silence is very deafening.

His presence is no longer seen or felt in the Shekina Glory that sat upon the Mercy Seat.

Have you ever been given the silent treatment?

It is very clear that someone is upset with you.

But God is not come in a cloud that sits on the Temple…He has come in flesh to visit His people.

This visitation was announced to Mary, and later to Joseph, by the angel Gabriel.

But Zacharias continues his praise by prophesying that ...

2. He has redeemed his people

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people,

This redemption was beginning to be accomplished with the birth of Jesus Christ.

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David;

In verse 69, the raising up of the Horn of salvation is most likely referencing Jesus Christ in His power and majesty.

Even as an animal raises its horn to charge, Jesus was now coming to bring freedom to all men.

Jesus has come to redeem us!

Thirdly, Zacharias prophesies that...

3. He has delivered Israel from their enemies

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, And from the hand of all that hate us;

Throughout history, there have been many enemies that have tried to annihilate Israel from the earth.

We have seen some of that attempted this very week with the missiles from Iran.

But many nations have tried to stamp them out...

the Egyptians tried

the Canaanites tried

the Philistines tried

the Syrians tried

the Assyrians tried

the Babylonians tried

the Persians tried

the Greeks tried

the Romans tried

the Nazis in Germany tried

and many Muslim nations still in existence today have tried.

Definition: Enemies, from the Greek word echthros—hostile, hating, and opposing another.

Behind every nation or movement that has opposed Israel has been their greatest enemy—Satan himself.

Revelation 12:7–9 KJV

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

However, the deliverance that was promised to Israel through the seed of David was not just physical in nature.

This was a promise to ultimately deliver Israel from sin.

But this promise is not just for Israel; each individual can trust in Jesus Christ for spiritual deliverance.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

B. Praise for the Promise to Abraham

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, All the days of our life.

The mercies of God were related to the covenants He made with Israel.

After Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac, God made an oath to Abraham.

Zacharias praised God for the promises to Abraham and David: the promises that God would deliver Israel so that they could serve Him without fear and walk in holiness.

Quote: “The promise to David for a Messiah rested on the promise to Abraham.”

Genesis 22:16–18 KJV

16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Then third We see Zacharias’...

C. Praise for John the Baptist

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord To prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people By the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.

After thanking God for the prophecies given to David and Abraham, Zacharias turned his attention to praise for his son, John the Baptist.

John was the first prophet God sent to Israel in four hundred years.

He was the forerunner of Jesus Christ, sent to prepare the way for the Lord.

Zacharias praised the message that his son would proclaim: the message that Jesus Christ was coming to save the people from their sin.

There is no other way for people to be saved from their sin, then by Jesus Christ!

Quote: “Depend on it, my hearer, you never will go to heaven unless you are prepared to worship Jesus Christ as God.”—C.H. Spurgeon

In this praise for sending him a son we see a twofold praise...

1. Praise for the salvation of Jesus

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people By the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

Zacharias rejoiced for the salvation that Jesus would bring to all men, but especially of his own people, Israel.

Matthew 1:21 KJV

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Quote: “John was not the Saviour … His ministry was to introduce the Saviour who would provide redemption for God’s people.”—J. Dwight Pentecost

2. Praise for the Light of Jesus

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.

In a day of great spiritual darkness, John the Baptist was sent to point others to the Light—the Lord Jesus Christ.

Quote: “The people [of Israel] were sitting in darkness and death, and distress gripped them when Jesus came; but He brought light, life, and peace. It was the dawn of a new day because of the tender mercies of God.”—Warren Wiersbe in Be Compassionate: Let the World Know that Jesus Cares

Matthew 4:16 KJV

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Luke 2:30–32 KJV

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Praise the Lord for this glorious light…THE Light - Jesus Christ!

III. The Advancement of John the Baptist

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

John spent his early years in the desert until around A.D. 27.

His teen years were spent investing time and effort into his relationship with God, preparing to deliver the message that Jesus was coming.

John is an incredible example for our young people today.

John became strong in the Holy Spirit, and his dedication to God is seen in the following three parts of his life:

A. His Identity

80 And the child grew...

Mark 1:6 KJV

6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

John did not identify with the worldliness of the day, choosing instead to fashion his appearance after the Old Testament prophet Elijah.

John identified as a man living for God.

Quote: “We are not to be isolated, but insulated, moving in the midst of evil but untouched by it.”—Vance Havner

Where is your identity?

There is a handout on the back table that talks about who you are in Christ.

I would challenge every Christian to get that, read it, memorize those verses and know down deep in your heart who you are in Christ!

B. His Courage

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit...

John was courageous in his preaching. He spoke courageously to the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:4-8),

Matthew 3:4–8 KJV

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

He was courageous to the Roman soldiers (Luke 3:14).

Luke 3:14 KJV

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

His preaching strongly rebuked sin and stressed the need for repentance.

America needs men today who will preach the Word of God with courage!

Our country needs Christian men and women who will courageously speak what the Bible says, not with a mean or hateful spirit, but with a heart to see people come to Christ. Quote:

“Give me 100 men who hate nothing but sin and love God with all their hearts and I will shake the world for Christ!”—John Wesley

Quote: “It is the duty of the clergy to accommodate their discourses to the times, to preach against such sins as are most prevalent and to recommend such virtues as are most wanted.”—John Adams

C. His Humility

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Some estimate that nearly 300,000 people may have been baptized during John’s ministry, yet he remained humble.

When his followers began to leave to follow after Jesus, John remained humble, realizing that his entire purpose was to point others to Jesus.

John 3:27–28 KJV

27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

John 3:30 KJV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Quote: “The most critical need of the church at this moment is men, bold men, free men. The church must seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men made of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made.”—A.W. Tozer

Quote: “The only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ.”—F.B. Meyer

Conclusion

John the Baptist was a man sent from God, a man who understood that his purpose was to point others to Jesus.

He was not willing to be swayed by the culture of his day, but courageously lived a life pleasing to God.

Even in the success that he enjoyed, he remained humble, choosing to live out the purpose that God had given to him.

The purpose of John the Baptist is the same purpose of the church in our modern day.

We are called of God to be separate from the world, to courageously speak to others about our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to humbly point others to Him as the only One able to give salvation.