The Forerunner of Christ

Luke 1:57–66 NKJV

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Luke 1:67-

Luke 1:67–80 NKJV

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

The New American Commentary: Luke Context

The present passage falls into three parts: 1:57–58 (the birth); 1:59–66 (the circumcision and naming); and 1:67–80 (Zechariah’s hymn of praise).

(Slide)

We are on the third part of our Christmas series.

It will conclude next week at Great Yarmouth with a joint service and communion.

Tonight we will have our Community Candlelight and Carol Service

There has been allot of effort put in tonight by a allot of people

We need your support!

Parent from GY are coming

The children will put on a Nativity Play

Some community people will come.

We really need your support!

(Pause)

This week we will take some time now and look at the birth of John the Baptist.

The Forerunner of Jesus.

We read the account of his birth earlier.

Our scripture reading can be broken into three parts.

All about the Baby John the Baptist.

All about the Baby, John the Baptist.

It can be broken into three main parts.

(the birth of baby John)

(the circumcision and naming)

(Zechariah’s hymn of praise).

(Slide)

We did not read it today.

The account is just before the verses we have read.

Mary, after her encounter with Gabriel, travels to the foothills of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth.

Can you imagine the meeting of the two expectant mothers?

Both highly favoured.

Both expecting sons that will change the world!

Rejoice with those that rejoice, Sorrow with those that Sorrow

Mary after her encounter with Gabriel travels to visit

Their meeting led to the famous hymn a praise from Mary.

I love this picture, because it captures the joy and wonderment of expectant mothers.

That common bond, BTW, that no man knows.

But there was even more for Mary and Elizabeth.

No wonder we are exhorted to

Romans 12:15 NKJV

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

An even deeper Joy of the Lord and Wonderment in the Lord of two people who have come to trust in God through their experiences.

Can you relate to that? As you look back of your life?

Though He slay me, I will trust Him.

In the best of times and in the worst of times.

It is trying to see things from the other person’s eyes and discern th

Then Luke tells us,

(Slide)

Luke 1:56 NKJV

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three month.

Remember that it was the six month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy that Gabriel was sent to Mary.

(Slide)

Luke 1:26–27 NKJV

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

In the sixth month of what? Elizabeth’s prergancy

Maybe they parted company after the dedication of John?

Luke says that relatives were present for John’s dedication.

And Mary stayed for 3 months

You do the mathhs

Was Mary there for the birth of John the Baptist. Possibly, even probably?

It seems unlikely that Mary would leave just as she is about to give birth. Plus Mary was expecting her first, would she not want to witness such an event.

We don’t know.

The Bible is not clear and it is wonderful

And it is a beautiful thing.

No wonder it talks about

Luke contines,

(Slide)

Luke 1:57–58 NKJV

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Luke 1:57–58 NKJV

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Luke says relatives rejoiced with Elizabeth

Was one of these Mary?

It seems unlikely that Mary would leave just as Elizabeth is about to give birth.

Plus Mary was expecting her first, would she not want to witness such an event.

Remember Mary pondered and treasured all these things in her heart

It is likely that Mary herself was the first hand witness for Luke’s accounts of these early years.

We cannot be sure.

And that is a beautiful thing.

But what we can be sure about is the joy and rejoicing at the birth of John.

What a party that must have been.

With relatives and neighbours,

They all rejoiced with Elizabeth and Zacharias

Romans 12:15 NKJV

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

This is a good exhortation for us.

It is about being sensitive and discerning to what is happening with the other person.

The account continues

(Slide)

Luke 1:59–63 NKJV

So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.

We all need time of quietness and silence before the Lord.

Sometimes we chose that.

It can be good to get away and reflect and listen hard to the Lord.

Lake Tahoe retreat. Those key lessons have stayed with me till this day. Often I write them in my journal.

We all need time of quietness and silence before the Lord.

Sometimes we chose that.

Sometimes the Lord choses it for us.

And So it was with Zacharius.

Remember we read a couple of weeks ago,

Luke 1:19–20 NKJV

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

Zacharias had nine months (plus 8 days) worth of quietness and silence.

A Time of reflection and inner change.

And what a change took place.

From words full of doubt to a hymn of utter praise and wonderment.

From doubt too wonderment in God.

Desire of Ages Chapter 38—Come Rest Awhile

When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Here alone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.

Desire of Ages Chapter 38—Come Rest Awhile

In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Here alone can true rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.

I quoted this in the Pastor’s blog.

There is a simplicity and confidence in a life that has been fruitfully taught in the training school of the Lord.

Just as there is a restlessness and unsoundness in the life of the one who refuses to be taught.

Luke 1:67–80 NKJV

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

And what a hymn of praise come from the lips of Zacharias.

Let us read some of it again, it is wonderful,

(Slide)

Luke 1:78–79 NKJV

Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:76–79 NKJV

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

L

Luke 1:67–80 NKJV

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

(Slide)

It is a Father’s heart and prophecy about his son.

We get a glimpse here of Zacharias heart for his son

Yes, Zacharias’ prophecies about his son, but prophecies will always be with heart felt words, or it is not from the Lord.

John‘s mission was plain.

John the Baptist will play his part, and then become less and less.

Eventually John will die and sleep, waiting again for His Messiah.

Mary will play her part, she will watch her son grow up and for 3 years she will watch her son’s ministry which will lead to the cross and all that means.

Eventually Mary will die and sleep, waiting again for her Messiah

But Jesus, the Son of God, He will become more, and more, and more.

To prepare His way.

To prepare Jesus way

And he did that by calling the people too repentance.

To the knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins

That is a sobering thought especially in today’s world.

John called people to Repentance!

And that is a sobering thought, especially in today’s world.

Where it is all about my rights and my freedom to do what I want.

John called people to Repentance

(Slide)

What does repentance mean?

It is a change, a U turn.

To change your mind,

To change your heart

To go in a different direction.

To go in Jesus’ direction and unite with Jesus in our daily work.

And that repentance is testified to by Baptism.

Jesus would give Baptism it’s full meaning in time but we should never loose sight of the call to trust, turn around and obey.

Whatever the cost.

God’s ways are just that. God’s ways.

They are not our ways.

It will never go the way we expect.

We cannot put God in a box.

If we trust and unite with Jesus, we will be filled with a sense of awe, wonderment and anticipation of faith in the Lord.

Zacharias will play his part. He will nurture and care for his son, John.

Then Zacharias will rest and sleep waiting for the Messiah his son will herald.

Elizabeth will play her role. She will mother John until he is ready to go into the wilderness to prepare for the his ministry.

Then she will rest and sleep waiting for the Messiah that her son will be the forerunner.

John the Baptist will play his part.

His ministry in the wilderness will be powerful and many will be drawn to the Lord through it.

He will point to Jesus, He will even baptise Jesus, and then John will become less and less.

Eventually John will die and sleep, waiting for His Messiah to come to him again.

But Jesus, the Son of God, He will become more, and more, and more.

Jesus will return and call forth John, Elizabeth and Zacharias.

They will all be together again, forever.

Eventually Mary will die and sleep, waiting again for her Messiah.

As we end our brief look at these wonderful verses of life what do we see ?

We have an old couple, passed the age of child bearing, YET with a son

More than a son, a Prophet of the most high, with this strange name, John, which will eventually come to be known as John the Baptist.

We have a Father, Zacharias, miraculously healed.

We have a wonderful hymn of praise and wonderment, recorded for all our benefits.

An old couple full of wonderment!

We have Friends and family rejoicing at a birth

And we have the whole community wondering what kind of child will this be.

We need to have a sense of wonderment and faith based expectation in the Lord.

In what God can do in our lives, in our families, in our church, in our town, in the lives of others.

Have we become too settled in our thinking of God?

No one could have written this script!

That is why Luke investigated so carefully.

You can’t make this up.

Luke records these things for our reassurance of Faith

Christmas, it really happened.

The Forerunner of Christ

Scripture Reading

Christmas, it really happened

The Birth of John

The Meeting of two Mums

Mary stayed with Elizabeth

The Birth of John

They Rejoiced with her

The Naming of John

Time of Quietness and Silence

Mute and Deaf

A Hymn of Praise

A Father’s Heart

The Forerunner of Christ

The Call to Repentance

God’s Ways are God’s Ways

Final Words