Overshadowed in the birth narratives: The Birth of John the Baptist
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I. Introduction
A. Growing up overshadowed
B. Two Brothers were Successful in soccer
C. My eldest brother
a. Offered scholarships
b. Won awards
D. My eldest twin
a. Played college soccer
b. State finalist
E. Me?
F. FCF: Have you ever felt overshadowed?
G. Biblical text today isn’t overshadowed in the narrative
H. We often overshadow Johns's birth narrative.
I. John the Baptist is one of the most important figures in the life of Christ.
J. Main Idea: John’s birth narrative shows us that God has a purpose for us, using us to spread the good news of His Son, Jesus Christ.
II. Historical Context
A. Set in the time of King Herod
B. Harod the Grate
a. Edomite
b. Roman ruled
c. Considered a tyrant.
d. Was evil
C. Domain over Judea
a. Galilee
b. Judea
c. Samaria
d. His reign was 37-4 B.C
III. Verses 5-7
Luke 1:5-7
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.
But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.
A. Verse 5
a. The story is set in a suppression due to Roman Rule
b. Zachariah
1. Priest
2. Abijah’s division
3. Elderly
c. Elizabeth
1. Elderly
2. Daughter of Aaron
3. Levite and Aaron Origin
d. “pure” couple
e. Unblemished lines
B. Verses 6
a. Righteous
b. In the eyes of God and the eyes of people,
c. Reputation is blamelessness.
d. Due to their covenant and law keepers,
e. Faithfulness to God
f. The standards of Jewish faith and culture are highlighted above the rest.
g. They reflect Abraham and Sara
C. Verse 7
a. Advance age
b. Barren
c. Childless
d. Why?
e. Could be Barren due to the unfaithfulness of Israel.
f. Their story shows God controls the womb.
g. This is supported because the subsequent narrative is Mary's accountant of pregnancy.
IV. Veres 8-9
Luke 1:8-9
When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
A. Verses 8
a. Numerous priests
b. Some people believe it could have been 18,000
c. These duties are twice a year.
d. Division oversees the afternoon.
B. Verse 9.
a. Chosen by lots
b. In today's culture, it could be done by whoever draws the short straw to go first.
c. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
d. Some people could see this as pure quintessence.
e. Stian: this is God’s providence.
V. Verses 10-17
Luke 1:10-17
At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
A. Verse 10-12
a. Heavenly encounter
b. This frightens the heavenly priest
c. It's standard to be scared.
B. Verse 13.
a. Prayers are answered
b. Due to elderly age, where are these former prayers?
c. Naming rights were reserved for the fathers.
d. Garland:
e. “God is taking over the right because God gives the child and will and shape his life.”
f. John = Yahweh is gracious
C. Verses 14.
a. Bring joy to his parents
b. First and only child
c. Bring joy to the world.
d. His will impact history.
e. Not everyone will love John.
D. Verses 15-17
a. His ministry is done in 6 ways: Garland
b. first is that he will be great in the sight of the Lord, referring to the cause of his life
1. His life will bring the Lord pleasure because he will follow the Lord’s path.
c. Second, he will abstain from foreign potential impurities
1. This takes presence in the form of alcohol consumption. This is due to the Holy Spirit's control over him and not losing himself to drunkenness
d. Third, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
1. Identical to the prophet Jeremiah.
2. This ministry starts before he is born.
3. He kicks when near Jesus (Lk.1:41)
e. Fourth is that his role will usher in the repentance of the Israelites
f. Fifth, his role will fulfill the prophecy in Malachi 4: 4-6 to usher in this change of hearts
“Remember the instruction of Moses my servant, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
1. Malachi’s prophecy talks about the forerunner messenger. Malachi 3:1;4:6
“See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.
g. He will make ready the Lord’s incarnation
1. He will prepare the way for people's actions during Christ's life.
2. i.e., he is the Forerunner prophesied in Malachi. The messenger in Malachi 3:1
“See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.
VI. Verse 18-20
Luke 1:18-20
“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.
Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
A. Verse 18
a. “How can I know this?” is a good translation
b. This question is placed on the mistrust the priest has towards the angel.
c. Could be referenced to say, “How could I know this is true?”
d. He doesn’t believe in the angel's words
e. He wants proof of this revelation.
f. Garland states that Zachariah doesn’t believe his prayers could be answered.
g. Could this mean these prayers for a child have ceased due to elderly age?
h. He desires more proof than angelic words.
B. Verses 19-20
a. Angel is revealed to be Gabrail.
b. Zachariah would have known this angel.
c. He is referenced in the book of Danial. (8:15-16; 9:21-26)
Daniel 8:15-16
While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me someone who appeared to be a man.
I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.”
d. Gaberial states his authority.
e. He is in the consistent presence of God.
f. He brought good news to him.
g. He could be showing that he is not pleased with the response.
h. To give him more “proof,” Zachariah is made mute.
i. He will be silent until a certain time comes.
VII. Verses 21-23.
Luke 1:21-23
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless.
When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
A. He is in the holy place in the temple.
B. People have started to think that someone is wrong.
C. He emerges from the temple but is mute.
D. People are confused and realize that he must have seen a vision.
E. Garland: people thought he was stricken dumb.
F. He Goes home after his priestly duties are fulfilled.
VIII. Verses 24-25
Luke 1:24-25
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said,
“The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”
A. While at home, some could pass.
B. Elizabeth conceived John.
C. In ancient Israel, barrenness was seen as an issue
D. If a couple was childless, the blame went on the women.
E. Therefore, she brought the same to the family because she could not have children.
F. Elizabeth thanks God for his gift.
G. Her reaction is contrary to her husband's.
H. He is thankful God answers her prayers and delivers her from shame.
I. He thanks him for having grace on her.
IX. Verse 57-60
Luke 1:57-60
Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son.
Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”
A. Even though they are advanced in age, we see that they give birth.
B. They probably hid from the public due to pregnancy and Zachariah’s condition.
C. Relatives said they should name the baby after the father, Zachariah
D. Elizabeth fought back and said they would name him John like Gaberial commanded
X. Verses 61-63
Luke 1:61-63
Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.”
So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called.
He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
A. The relatives are frustrated at the response.
B. They boldly state that not such a relative is named John.
C. They then turn to Zachariah for support.
D. He writes down that their name should be John.
E. Zachariah probably communicated by writing on a tablet since his encounter with Gaberial.
F. Relatives are amazed at his response.
XI. Verses 64-66
Luke: 1:64-66
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
A. Zachariah speaks again
B. He startled the crowd.
C. Mute for more than 9 months.
D. This is the second change to do the correct reaction
E. His “proof” was shown what he had asked for.
F. This concludes relative suppositions that this child is in the Lord’s Hand.
XII. Conclusion
A. We should understand that God has a purpose for our lives.
a. We might question this, but it is true that God has a purpose for us.
b. God will work with and through us even if we feel insignificant.
c. Let’s reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
d. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight
B. We should understand that through this purpose, sharing the gospel is non-negotiable
a. John the Baptist's life was communicated by him being the forerunner to Jesus.
b. While we are not the forerunner to Christ's incarnation, we should strive to proclaim God’s gospel to the world.
C. We are called to be disciples and disciple-makers
a. This is one area that I struggle with.
b. My wife is the perfect example.
c. She takes people out for coffee or lunch and does live with them.
d. We should do the same.
