The Birth of John Foretold
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Introduction
Introduction
Looking together at Luke’s Gospel.
He’s written to Theophilus, in order to have certainty about what he has been taught concerning Jesus Christ; Christ being the Messiah...
He’s investigated all the facts, and he is now going to begin to present the results of his very careful and detailed investigations to Theophilus
Luke goes to a time before even the Saviour entered into the world, and will begin with the foretelling of the birth of the one who will be the forerunner to Christ’s coming - the one who will prepare the way for the Messiah.
This morning, we will get a glimpse into these details in the life of a husband and wife as they go about their normal day-to-day life.
1. John’s Time of Birth (v.5a)
1. John’s Time of Birth (v.5a)
In verse 5, Luke indicates that this was “In the time of Herod king of Judea...”
Recall that Luke is writing for the benefit of Theophilus, in order to ensure that he is aware that these things conerning Jesus are true. And so Luke begins by placing this important time marker, which will indicate for Theophilus when the Saviour was born.
This king Herod reigned during the period 37 - 4 B.C. And in Matthew 2:1, we read that Jesus was born during the time period of King Herod, which will correspond with Luke’s account here.
Just one comment on the King - he was a tyrant. He was a man who was prepared to kill countless babies because he felt threatened by another king - the “King of the Jews”.
In stark contrast to this ungodly king, take note Secondly...
2. John’s Parents (vv.5b-7)
2. John’s Parents (vv.5b-7)
Luke then goes on to introduce the parents of John the Baptist to us. There are a number of important points that Luke brings out and indicates concerning the parents of John the baptist.
Firstly, Luke presents the lineage of John’s parents.
1.1. Their Lineage
1.1. Their Lineage
He introduces John’s father with these words...
“...there was a priest named Zechariah...”
John’s father was a priest that was descended from the priestly line. He performed functions as a priest. He was one who was involved in the offering of sacrifices, and had duties to perform as a priest before God.
We note further that the name Zechariah means “Yahweh has remembered again.” This is a fitting name. At this particularly time in the history of Israel, God had been “silent” for 400 years. He had not spoken with or engaged with his people Israel, and they were longing for the promised Messiah, but had not heard from God. 400 years of silence! But here we will find that indeed, according to the name Zechariah, “Yahweh has remembered again.”
We notice further concerning Zechariah that he “…belonged to the priestly division of Abijah...” Here is another specific detail that was offered by Luke, which could be used to check the precise Zechariah that was being spoken of.
This priestly division that is mentioned by Luke goes all the way back into the early days of the Israelites, when the priests were divided up for the performing of their tasks. (Read 1 Chronicles 24:1-3).
Further on in that same passage, we read in verse 10...
10 the seventh to Hakkoz,
the eighth to Abijah,
Abijah was of the eighth division of the priests out of a total of 24 divisions. There were a large number of priests then, and these divisions were further sub-divided in various orders, and they would rotate their service. What would happen is that a priest would serve in the temple for two one-week periods each year.
But notice further, that not only was Zechariah of priestly descent, but “... his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron...”
And so the mother of John was also of a priestly line. They were both godly people, that loved and served the Lord.
One thing worth pointing out at this stage is that there were still those who truly worshiped God! The sense that we very often get as Christians looking back on Israel in the early stages of the New Testament is that all the Israelites had rejected God. They’d become apostate, and were under God’s judgment.
That’s a misconception. God had his remnant, His chosen people, who loved Him. Although Israel as a whole had gone through some very difficult times, and had very often abandoned God, there were a number who genuinely sought to serve God, and to live holy lives before him.
That is seen particularly in the parents of John, as Luke gives us a description of...
1.2. Their Character
1.2. Their Character
In verse 6 we read, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God...”
Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were godly parents. They followed after the Lord in all their ways. They were parents who would teach their son the ways of God. Notice that God saw them as upright.
This language reminds us of that which was used of Noah...
1 The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
The word righteous that is used is different from that which typically understand in terms of being positionally righteous before God. Essentially this means that they were righteous from the perspective of God’s law. They lived in obedience to the law of God, and thus God looked upon them as those who sought to live in obedience to Him.
The next phrase makes this clear, when Luke says that they were “...observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly...”
This describes the manner of their godliness. They obeyed / observed “ALL” the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. Here was a godly and humble couple that love God to the best of their ability, and sought to live always in obedience to Him.
Not only were these parents of priestly descent, but they were faithfully righteous before God, a morally exemplary couple.
But notice also...
1.3. Their Trouble
1.3. Their Trouble
Although they were this exemplary moral couple, a couple that was righteous in the sight of God, we read in verse 7 that “...they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren...”
Here was a heartache reality for Elizabeth. She couldn’t have children that she so longed for. To be without children in that day was often seen as a reproach from God. It was seen that God was withholding his blessing from you. That’s exactly what happened in situations recorded for us in the OT, such as with King Abimelech and Sarah (Abraham’s wife), where God closed the wombs of the household of Abimelech because he had taken Sarah.
Sarah would have known the Psalm which said, behold children are a heritage from the Lord, blessed is he whose quiver is full of them! But then looked at her own life and wondered why God would withhold this blessing from her.
Now God’s hand was not against them in any sense. Rather, God saw their righteousness, and even had great plans in store for them, and for others through them, but until that time, they were without child.
Note also that Luke adds that “...they were both well along in years...”
The implication is that they were beyond the age at which they could expect to have children.
This account parallels very much the account of Abraham and Sarah before giving birth to Isaac.
Well, this sets the context for us in terms of John’s parents.
Notice thirdly with me...
3. The Angel’s Appearance (vv.8-12)
3. The Angel’s Appearance (vv.8-12)
In verse 8-9, we read…
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
As has been mentioned earlier, they divided up the priestly duties among the various divisions, and you as a priest would come to the temple when it was your divisions turn. This was Zechariah’s divisions week to be serving, and so he was there with a host of other priests that were there at the same time.
One commentator notes that at this particular point...
“Zechariah is in the midst of his biannual temple ministry as one of approximately 18,000 priests...who served at the temple.
But note further that according to verse 9, lots are cast in order to determine which of the priests will go into the temple in order to burn incense.
Because of this large number of priests, they went through this custom and practice of casting lots to determine which of the priests would actually go into the temple in order to burn incense. It’s been suggested that only once in the life of a priest would he have the honour of actually going in and performing these duties - and a great honour it was!
What the priest would do is that he would go into the Holy Place, where the altar of incense, the lampstand and the showbread were found. Think of how solemn this occassion would be!! Going on your own in order to perform these duties, in the silence of the Holy Place. The priest would then offer up incense to the Lord on behalf of the people Israel. This incense was a sweet aroma to God. The priest would also offer up a prayer to God on behalf of the people.
In verse 10 we read...
10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
The time arrives for Zechariah to go into the temple - this great privilege and honour. As he does that, we read that the worshipers had gathered together, and they were praying outside.
The incense would be burned twice a day - morning and afternoon / evening. But the people that are gathered for prayer would have done so in the afternoon, and so this is the occasion. Prayers being offered up by the people to God, and Zechariah then enters into the Holy Place in order to perform his duties. It is a worshipful and serious scene that Luke has set for us.
But as Zechariah enters inside, Luke tells us in verse 11...
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
In a place where Zechariah would have been alone performing these important duties, suddenly he finds someone there with him in the temple - a messenger from God.
And the messenger takes his position at the right side of the altar of incense, the place where Zechariah would have been offering up his incense. This places the angel between the altar and the candlestick in the Holy Place.
What is so significant about this event is that God is active again in communicating with His people. After 400 years of silence, God will now communicate with His people again, and will work in profound ways in ushering in this New Covenant era.
This is of great significance!!
But we read in verse 12...
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
His response is completely understandable and relatable to us. The humanity of Zechariah shines through here. He’s gripped with a great fear, not knowing who this is!!!
Here is the typical response in the Scriptures when people are confronted with the Divine or his agents...
But notice, fourthly...
4. The Angel’s Announcement (v.13-14)
4. The Angel’s Announcement (v.13-14)
Verse 13 reads...
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
The angel begins with the assurance that Zechariah need not be afraid. This will be the bearing of good news for him, and for many others.
The angel then says, “Your prayer has been heard.”
Perhaps it would be asked, “which prayer”. What is this referring to?
First and foremost, it is no doubt that the prayers that both Zechariah and Elizabeth had offered up over years of their lives was now finally going to be answered. It is highly unlikely that they had prayed this prayer in recent years - they were beyond the age of child bearing. They would not likely have been praying for a child, being so advanced in years. But God had heard their prayers before, and was now about to answer. What a wonderful thought, that God does not forget our hearts desires, and our longings expressed to him in prayers!
But there is another option in terms of the prayer that is referred to here, and that is that Zechariah had been praying for the redemption of Israel. You will recall that I said that one of the things the priest would do as he went into the Holy Place was to also offer up prayers to God. Even the people standing outside and praying, may very well have been praying for the promised Messiah.
It’s impossible to know for sure, but here is indeed the announcement of an answer to prayer - both in terms of the fact that Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a child, and in the fact that they had prayed for deliverance as a nation.
That said, it is more likely that the answer was indeed an answer to the prayers for a child, because the angel goes on to say, “...Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,”
An impossibility in the eyes of man will become a reality by the power of God. A woman who was both barren and advanced in years, would give birth to a child.
But notice, that this would be a special child. The angel tells Zechariah what the name of the child will be. He says, “...you are to give him the name John.”
It was usually the responsibility of the father to name the child. In this context, God naming the child shows that the child is going to be important in his work. God has chosen Zechariah and Elizabeth, and God has chosen the child that will be born to them for a peculiar task.
The name John means, “Yahweh has been gracious.”
Notice also that the Angel says of this child in verse 14...
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
Firstly, he would be a joy and a delight to the parents. This would not least be so because they had always longed for children, and yet had been without. But even more so, the task that had been prepared for this child would be unique.
As parents, we take great delight in our children’s achievements, particularly when they have a positive impact on others, or when they do very well in a particular task. Well, Elizabeth and Zechariah would indeed be delighted in the profound work that their son would be given to do.
The joy that is spoken of here that they will experience is a joy that comes from the great works of God. Luke is clearly outlining that God’s miraculous working would bring about great joy!
But not only would they receive joy and delight through John, but “…many will rejoice because of his birth...”
The reason for “many rejoicing” becomes more evident when we consider John’s Character and Ministry, which is our fifth point this morning.
5. John’s Character and Ministry (vv.15-17)
5. John’s Character and Ministry (vv.15-17)
Firstly, in verse 15 we read, “…for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...”
Here we have the introduction at least to the reason for John’s parents, and for many people, rejoicing. This man John will be great in God’s eyes. God will set this man apart for a unique purpose, by His own providential working.
Later on in Luke, we find the words of Jesus recorded as follows:
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Even Christ spoke about the greatness of this prophet John. This is not to suggest that John was greater than Christ himself. Christ is exalted above John because He would be called “Son of the Most High” - a name which is attributed to no man.
But even so, John would be truly great.
Luke then goes on to record that the angel said to Zechariah, “...He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”
The essence of this is that John would be set apart for a unique task and office. There is no inherent word against fermented drink, saying that it is intrinsically evil. But there is a clear picture here that John would be uniquely set apart.
What John is called to here is similar to the Nazirite vow, where no alcohol or fermented drink would be taken.
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the Lord as a Nazirite, 3 he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.
There is no indication in the Scriptures that John took this vow, other than the fact that the Angel here says that he should be separate. He would be unique in his task. He would be set apart.
Notice also that he would be filled with the Spirit, even from birth. We must not Christianize this wording. In other words, this is not being filled in the sense that we are indwelt with the Spirit when born again. But the fact is that from the very day of his birth, he would have the presence of the Spirit of God with him.
The fact that John was filled with the Spirit supports his prophetic office.
5 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and he told me to say: “This is what the Lord says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.
In the same way, John will be one that will preach the Word and message of God. He will proclaim the truth of God as a prophet to his day.
Both his consecration in terms of not drinking wine and fermented drink, and his filling with the Spirit, indicate to the reader that John is a prophet of God.
Noticeably, John is the last prophet of the Old Testament era. He bridges the gap between the promises made by God in the Old Testament, and the fulfillment of those promises by God through Jesus Christ, the Saviour.
Notice further the ministry that Luke records John as coming to do.
16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.
We know from the Scriptures that many of Israel - most of Israel - had wandered away from God. They had drifted from His paths. They had a long history in many respects of failing to walk in the ways of God.
But John’s ministry will, in part, be to bring back this people to God. He will call the people of Israel to repentance of their dead works and works of unrighteousness. We will see later on that he will be the one who will preach a Gospel of repentance.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
We read further in verse 17 of our passage...
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
There are a few things of note…
Firstly, this verse demonstrates that John will come in fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6.
5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Malachi was the last prophet before the intertestamental period - the 400 year period of God no longer bringing new revelation. And so John’s arrival is a fitting way for God to bring hope and joy to His people.
Furthermore, we see that the ministry of John will involve “going before” the Lord Jesus, “Turning” their hearts to God, and “Preparing” them for the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ, along with the New Covenant era that will be ushered in through Christ.
Just briefly in terms of the similarities between John and Elijah, we must realise that Elijah was a prophet that boldly called people to repent and return to the Lord God. In similar manner, John would be a prophetic voice in the wilderness, calling God’s people to repent and turn to the Lord. So, the character and the power of John’s ministry are parallel to Elijah’s ministry. (Although note that John didn’t perform miracles, which Elijah did).
3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
There is something of a great joy in the ministry of John. He would come to turn people’s hearts towards each other, and also to turn their hearts towards God. Both horizontal and vertical relationships would be healed, and would be greatly transformed even as John prepared people for the Messiah.
Notice Sixthly with me...
6. Zechariah’s Doubt (vv.18-22)
6. Zechariah’s Doubt (vv.18-22)
Zechariah cannot believe what this angel is telling him. Verse 18 reads...
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
For all Zechariah’s integrity and godliness, he still had his doubts when an angel appeared to him. His reasoning was founded on physical limitations. Due to his age, and his wife’s age, and the fact that she is barren. In light of all of this, how can this be possible?
Let us not forget that he probably knew the story of Abraham and Sarah well. He knew the other accounts of barren women who God had chosen to bless with children. But even in this instance, he has his doubts about the truthfulness of this claim.
One thing is certain, that when the pronouncement comes true, all glory and honour will go to God! There will be no doubt that this was the working of God. Zechariah was under no illusions as to the impossible situation that he and his wife found themselves in.
At this point, we read the response of the angel in verse 19...
19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
The angel here identifies himself, gives his name, and his name is Gabriel. The angel Gabriel was known to be a powerful angel.
“Jewish tradition regards him as one of the more significant angels who served next to God. The number of angels who stand in God’s presence varies from four to seven. Because Gabriel has a major function in God’s work and direct access to him, the angel’s message carries credibility.” (Bock, D. L.)
Here, he says that he stands in the very presence of Almighty God.
Consider this astounding truth!! Zechariah goes into the temple to be in the closer presence of God, and is confronted by an angel that comes from the very presence of God, with a message specific to him.
Having identified himself, the angel goes on to say in verse 20...
20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
As a result of unbelief, Zechariah’s mouth would be silenced, and he would no longer be able to speak until the “proper time.”
Dear friends, these two little words, “proper time,” are filled with significance in scripture. Everything that takes place in the world, and everything that has taken place in salvation history, has taken place at the proper time, according to the will and knowledge of God.
Our God is sovereign!
With this profound vision unfolding, Luke brings our attention back to the crowds outside in verse 21...
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.
Recall that this process / function had been going on for many years. They knew the time it should take to complete the burning of the incense. It is clearly evident that Zechariah was taking far longer than was expected.
One commentator writes:
“If the Jewish tradition of the Day of Atonement is any guide, then such a delay in the Holy Place is a cause for worry for those outside. M. Yoma˒ 5.1 mentions that a short prayer is expected of the high priest, lest the nation worry” (Bock, D. L.)
Zechariah’s time in the temple was delayed as a result of his interactions with this angel - probably more than what Luke records for us in these brief words.
But eventually he comes out of the temple, with the people all standing worrying...
22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
This leads us then to consider the final point this morning...
7. God’s Faithfulness (vv.23-25)
7. God’s Faithfulness (vv.23-25)
Verse 23 reads...
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
Recall that he had been “away from home” as he went to the temple for his service for a week. The important part to note from this, however, is when linked to verse 24...
24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
God graciously opened the womb of Elizabeth so that she could bear children. Even in her old age, Elizabeth became pregnant.
What is interesting is that remained in seclusion. This was the latter five months of her pregnancy. This was probably tied in with the disgrace that she felt as a result of never being pregnant. But soon, the Lord would allow her to give birth, and her disgrace would be gone.
Notice Elizabeth’s response to her pregnancy in verse 25...
25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Here is the glorious acknowledgement by Elizabeth that this was the working of the Lord. Elizabeth knew without any shadow of a doubt that this was the gracious working of God. But she was also not embarrassed to admit and confess this with her lips!
For many years, Elizabeth had lived in disgrace. For many years, she would have felt the scorn. One can only picture her joy at God’s goodness to her!
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
Believe the promises of God - do not doubt. 400 years of silence - but God remembered. Everything would happen in His perfect timing.
Believe in the abilities of God to fulfill every promise to us. Even when things look impossible. Not health, wealth and prosperity. Rather, the ability to save to the uttermost; the ability to save frail people; the ability to bring us one day into glory; the ability to make all grace abound to us; the ability to give us peace, even when that seems impossible; the ability to give us spiritual growth in life, even when that seems impossible… God’s power is not restrained. Let us not doubt his power to do good in our lives by His Spirit, for His glory.
Trust in God’s timing.
Rejoice that God has been, and continues to be at work in this world. It would have been easy to think that God had forgotten his people - many years waiting for Him… but he had not forgotten.