His Name Will Be John - Luke 1:

Introduction

As we jump back into Luke this morning, after looking at Luke 24 last Sunday. So here is some recap for us as jump back into Luke chapter 1.

Luke 1:1-25 - John the Baptist Birth Foretold

Luke 1:26-38 - Jesus Birth Foretold

Luke 1:39-45 - Mary Visits Elizabeth

We looked at Mary’s Magnificat Luke 1:46-56

This puts us in verse Luke 1:57-66 this Sunday Morning. The section titled “The Birth Of John the Baptist”

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word

Read - Text - Luke 1:57-66 “Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.”

Pray

Here is some background Details of Luke 1 leading up to John the Baptist’s Birth:

Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous before the Lord but had no child

God hears their prayers for a son

God sends Gabriel to meet with Zechariah in a dark time over the land and the angel met him in the temple as He was burning incense

The angel Gabriel says that Zechariah you will have a son and he will “prepare the way of the Lord.” - “and you shall name him John”

But Zechariah doubts what the angle says “how shall I know this for I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years”

Zechariah is struck with muteness so as not being able to speak because of his disbelief in the angles message (which really was God’s message to Zechariah)

And Zechariah was promised restoration from the muteness once “the day that these things take place”

So as we pick up: These are the days “these things took place”

Elizabeth has given birth to a son

And Zechariah has not been able to speak this whole pregnancy; been mute because of his doubt and disbelief in the angel Gabriels message

Luke 1:57-58 “Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son...And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.”

“Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth and she bore a son...”

Not only was the baby leaping in Elizabeth's womb, but now we can see the promise of John is being fulfilled

He is here!

“...and her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy...”

So what happens when a babe is one the way? Your loved ones “Hear” and your closest neighbors are near

So in this moment their “neighbors” - meaning in greek - living in the neighborhood, located near one another

And “relatives.” - a person related by blood or marriage

As we can see too: Neighbors meaning those close to your home; relatives meaning blood related; so in this case there was not hospitals to give birth at, so the neighbors were most likely the closest (physically) to the house Elizabeth had her son in.

So it says they heard something

So what did the neighbors and relatives hear?

Hear - to learn or become aware of something

Maybe it was this “oh Elizabeth got pregnant.” No

While that is the case; so the words here are much more touching.

“that the Lord has shown great mercy to her.”

This is what they heard

So why would they be repeating this about God’s Mercy?

Well if we can remember “Zechariah is old; and Elizabeth was advanced in years” so it was only an act of God’s mercy that she should conceive at this age

As every conception is a deep, outreaching blessing of God’s mercy and touch as He is the only one who can give life, and take it.

Mercy definition being - kindness, and compassion

So they in view, see this as the mercy of God they have heard of.

This has been greatly shown to her and to Zechariah as well. (in the summary of them both being able to conceive a baby in this old age)

“And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her,...and they rejoiced with her.”

Not only do we see they “heard’ - being the neighbors and relatives; but they also “rejoiced with her”

What a great truth for them to hear!

This is birth of a Son to Zechariah and Elizabeth is an act of God’s mercy; and in this they rejoice with her.

Sounds like everything from here on out should go smoothly right?

As anyone in this moment who had heard, would rejoice (in this case at a successful birth)

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

So the Neighbors and relatives know that this is an act of God’s mercy, and their is rejoicing among all * which is a partial fulfillment of Luke 1:14 “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,”

Why rejoicing? - Because the relatives and neighbors know what is going on in their lives. (they know the intimate and close longings and desires of their hearts, they have seen the struggle and been there on the dark nights)

Because it has been a long time that Zechariah and Elizabeth have been waiting to be with a child; the time has come and they are surrounded by support of family and neighbors who (1 See this as an act of God’s Mercy (2. And who are rejoicing at his birth (a successful and full birth)

Luke 1:59-60 “And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child... And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.””

So now move on into 8 days after Elizabeth has given birth to their son

News has been spread and now he is circumcised

This mentioning of “eighth day” and“circumcise” goes back all the way to Genesis...

Genesis 17:12-14 “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised.

And not only being circumcised on this day, but named! (big day for their baby boy)

“…and they would of called him Zechariah after his father...”

Why would they want to call him Zechariah?

The biblical concept of naming was rooted in the ancient world’s understanding that a name expressed essence. To know the name of a person was to know that person’s total character and nature. Revealing character and destiny, personal names might express hopes for the child’s future.

It would of been a privilege to be named after Zechariah; remind you who was “righteous before the Lord.”

But see Naming a child generally fell to the mother, but could be performed as well by the Father

But we know there son already has a name, and his mother speaks up...

“...but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”

As we know that the mother would be the one to name the child so Elizabeth speaks up clearly and with no room for questioning her answer!

Now lets step into this moment and scene and remember how precious of a moment it is to name a child

Naming of the Child:

I talked to Betty this week and she had told me her granddaughter needed prayer, and that her name was heaven.

When we were naming Ezra we had other suggestions; but thats all they were, because this moment should be for the parents to decide

Church there is a preciousness about this moment (in the naming of a newborn)

And we see the neighbors and the family are concerned, because to be named after Zechariah would of been an honor.

But what does Elizabeth say? (as Elizabeth might of thought this too that her son with her husbands name would of been great; but a name He was already given)

So what is his name? We see it says “John”

“...No; he shall be called John...”

Elizabeth is sure of this one thing, his name will not be Zechariah!

But how did she know his name would be John?

We know Zechariah’s encounter with the angel of the Lord didn’t end up quite good for him; it changed him physically and he was made mute, yes good news of a son but he didn’t believe it remember?

Elizabeth being righteous knew something had happened as He was on duty in the temple

Luke 1:18-20 “And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.””

So if Zechariah was “unable to speak”- “silent” how did he communicate this to his bride Elizabeth?

That their new borns son’s name did not need to be Zechariah?

Well Zechariah was unable to speak; he was not unable to write. - in due time so many months had passed Zechariah had time to write; and Elizabeth who lived with him and being righteous herself, might of understood/felt the seriousness of what has happened in the temple, but not explained in words, but in writing, facial expressions, mood and fear.

So John in some way was able to communicate through writing and emotion that His Son’s name needed to be John!

As we will soon see in our text Zechariah’s hand put to the wax paper

So Elizabeth says “No; he shall be called John.”

And she is sure of it!

Luke 1:61 “And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.””

This idea of naming your child after someone in this case being a relative; was not abnormal

It comes with the times; and we even see to this day even more so the first born son being named after the father.

To the Father it would absolutely show honor to his name to have his firstborn named after him.

But why would Zechariah want honor due His name?

When he had just been silenced by one who is truly worthy of our honor and praise?

Luke 1:62-63 “And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.”

It would of been an honor for Elizabeth to name her babe; after Zechariah, as she did just give birth to him (but really the Mother and the Father usually agree on a name right?

And in this story they did AGREE!

You see not once have I heard of a new mom and dad not coming to an agreement on the name of their firstborn child

But the Neighbors stepped into the precious moment and into the details of the naming of the Child

Where mind you they had no business being; and what they did, is they started to gesture to Zechariah now...

As to brush off what Elizabeth said about His name is John.

Like her word and judgment was not important for her son that she just gave birth too?

“and they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.”

The phrase “they made signs” in greek is meaning to communicate silently, and non verbally by signals or signs

Usually when someone makes these non verbal signs it’s because they do not want the other person to hear them, this other being Elizabeth

But in this case Zechariah couldn’t speak so this might of been very evident and in a sense awkward as they are gesturing toward Zechariah who is with Elizabeth.

And lets just be clear this is wrong; and being married & in a covenant the two (man an woman) are “one in Christ” - So if this happened to me and someone was trying to “make signs to me” so as to not let my bride see, even though she has spoken (her truth; which in this case is God’s Word) this would make me righteously angry.

And if it was evident, being done right in front of my bride I would have issues, as I’m sure any husband would.

And who were they making signs too?

“to his father, - Zechariah

So the neighbors speak up to Zechariah “inquiring what he wanted him to be called.”

Inquiring - of a look of expression; as Zechariah could not speak so it did not say he was blind to expressions from the neighbors

When someone makes “Big eyes” at you and wants you to speak up and say something.

And now we look at Zechariah’s Response

...And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.”

Zechariah who has no voice, now enters the conversation silently

It says “he asked for” - in the greek meaning to make a request or demand something from somebody

At this point if I’m Zechariah it’s more of a demand than a nice asking.

Really the tension in this moment as neighbors are trying to get between a newly mother and Father in the naming of their chid; so this is not any place you would want to be

And what did he ask for? “a writing tablet, and wrote, His name is John” And they all wondered.”

Writing Tablet:

Not what you and I would pull out of our drawer today

No this tablet was most likely a wooden framed and in this frame would of been a wax of some sort.

And so in this wax Zechariah wrote something; or began to mold and or scratch Words in the waxy area!

But He is not the originator of what He is about to press into this waxy frame

So what did he write?

“His name is John”... And they wondered...”

Zechariah; writes what Elizabeth spoke as well

“His name is John”

But why did the neighbors wonder?

Wondered - to be amazed at an occurrence

Most likely they were wondering why would Zechariah not want His firstborn son to have his name?

“Some proposed that he should be called by his father’s name, Zechariah. And they intended hereby to do honour to the Father, who was not likely to have another child.” - MH

What an honor this would of been, and now the Neighbors just can’t understand?

But what they can’t see is Elizabeth and Zechariah do understand.

This known couple in the neighborhood, longing and waiting to have a child for so long, both righteous and devout and them not carrying through to naming him after his father?

As this happened; so something amazing took place (in and to) Zechariah!

Luke 1:64-65 “And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,”

Immediately - being without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

“his (Zechariah’s) mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke...”

Zechariah as we know was made mute because of disbelief in God’s message about John

“The Angle of the Lord said...” and behold

In Luke 1:20 “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.””

It was not in the beginning of conception of Elizabeth that Zechariah was restored; no, but it was 9 months down the road; 9 months of silence, quietness, fear and pain

From this as Zechariah was righteous He was the Lords; so we can see there was a season where he didn’t feel the Lord; he literally couldn’t speak but it doesn't say He didn’t believe God to be true.

So it’s important to see God was not going to take away his ability to speak forever, but temporally until John was born and until he announced it as true; as he wrote it in the wax.

So writing in a sense; is the same as speaking because both writing and words originate from the mind and thoughts.

So after Zechariah speaks what is the first thing he does?

Not being able to speak; in the moment, his wife just giving birth and His new son John in front of him

So maybe it’s was this Oh Elizabeth you did great “i’m so proud of you.”

Or it could of been “look at him he is beautiful!”

No!

He didn’t embrace His wife and son, No!

“…and he spoke blessing God...”

So what does Zechariah do first? Oh Church “he spoke blessing God.”

Spoke - meaning words came out of his mouth after 9 months

And “he spoke blessing God.”

This word blessing - in the greek means praise; and act kindly toward

Would you not bless God for this?

Yes, bless God for a wife who just delivered the promised John to come who is going to prepare the way of the Lord!

But even more so bless God because for 9 months you've been silenced by Him, and He has kept His promise to Zechariah about John and to His muteness condition

Luke 1:20 “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.””

Luke 1:65 “And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,”

So here we zoom in on; how this was specifically the neighbors were struck with “fear”

Why fear in this moment?

It wasn’t as if Zechariah came defending Elizabeth; as they had some quite intense moments with their neighbors getting into their precious business and naming of John

Them trying to turn a husband and a wife against one another (maybe without noticing; so we should seek to be discerning and use wisdom in these moments in coming between two in a covenant)

So why fear?

Fear in the greek meaning - panic, flight, an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger

Church Zechariah had not been able to speak; he is righteous meaning He hasn’t voiced to the Lord His heart, pain struggle, temptations, prayers and petitions in a long time.

Righteous people talk with God, we pour out our praise, our heart our souls everything before Him who hears, so we like to voice to him our cares, longings and desires.

So this moment of praise was quite reverent; and made people want to flee.

And we see fear did not come upon Elizabeth; who we can see knew the Word of the Lord that... “His name is John.”

“And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea.”

We know neighbors talk; and sometimes not for good

They had a whole lot to share and or gossip about with other in the area of Judea.

1. Well Zechariah and Elizabeth named their son John; Zechariah must not want to be honored!

2. Or When we seen the tongue loosed of Zechariah and when He spoke praising God we were struck with a fear and fled (Zechariah has been restored)

Points:

Church this morning who named John?

Zechariah and Elizabeth did not give John His name; God did (God Spoke, these were God’s Words!) as we see in Luke 1:13 “But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Those neighbors; (in our case in our text, are those who are not understanding that God has already spoken in His Word) “They” wanted to change Zechariah and Elizabeths minds about God’s revealed Word to them.

But Zechariah and Elizabeth both righteous before the Lord; Zechariah mute and not able to speak for months now.

They knew what God had said; and knew that God was serious about His Word; as He did make Zechariah mute for his unbelief in His Word. (Zechariah learned God is to be taken at His Word; and in no way was he thinking about naming his son after himself.)

Church when we keep God’s Word through moments of intense and strong opposition with those who want to change it; or change our minds about it. So in us arises a strength; a reverence of praise and fear for the Word who is Christ our Lord. Us empowered by the Holy Spirit to Praise God!

See upholding the truth of God’s Word is to be praised!

Having the Word revealed to us (we who were at once blind and mute spiritually to the Word)

So this calls for (when our eyes are opened and our mouths can speak the Word of God) so this calls for reverent worship that others can not deny, that the foundation of our praise is the Word of God who is Christ our Lord.

Do you know what John’s name means in Hebrew- “Yahweh has been gracious”

While they had heard Elizabeth & Zechariah have been shown mercy

So what they needed to know as well that God has been gracious.

Oh Church, we being people who at once found dead in our sin and weakness and hopeless. Let us echo the words of Psalm 145:8

Psalm 145:8 “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

The Lord has shown us Mercy (compassion) as his sons and daughters that while we were still sinners He died for us

Romans 5:6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” - Us at one time.

And in this dying for our sins; so his blood was shed to cover our sins and grace was applied to our lives

Matthew 26:28 “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Grace meaning “undeserved favor”

Ephesians 4:7 “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

Gift in the greek meaning - something acquired or given without compensation in return.

God has been merciful and gracious in sending John; the one who will point to the ultimate and pinnacle of mercy and grace Jesus Christ our Lord.

And why such reverent praise form Zechariah to God?

God did not leave Zechariah Mute - He restored Him.

And a moment of Praise because Zechariah knows His Son will be the one to “prepare the way for the Lord who is salvation to sinners.

Church not only was John going to point to Christ and His truth, but we see here Zechariah and Elizabeth as well are testifying that this is the Word of the Lord, “He will be called John.”

Church Zechariah, Elizabeth & John is pointing us to Christ who is truth, the Messiah who is in Mary’s womb (in our text)

Jesus Christ in Luke as we will read soon to be born into the world to save the world from sin and hell.

Christ who is Mercy and Grace to sinners who are dying, in sin and in need of Hope

Turn and believe in Jesus who is the Word today! The Word of LIFE!

Because Jesus restores those who trust in Him and His Words!

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Church let our lives; keep the Word of the Lord and declare it reverently so others know it’s truth and power.

And let us not forget we were once Zechariah who was muted; we once were the “neighbors’ - who tried to change others mind’s about the Word who is Christ, when we didn't’ know Christ

But God rich in mercy and grace sent Jesus to rescue us from the pit of destruction, and sin defeating it on the cross and rising from the grave.

1 Cor 2:1-4 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,”

Zechariah; writes what Elizabeth repeated, what God spoke first!

His name will be John!