John the Baptist is Born
Birth of John the
Baptizer
Luke 1:57–66
57Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth was completed, and she bore a
son. 58Then her neighbors and
relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced† with her.
59When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were
going to name him Zachariah, after his father. 60But his mother
responded, “No! He will be called John.”
61Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62So
they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63aHe
asked for a writing tablet, and wrote: “His
name is John.”
63bAnd they were all amazed. 64Immediately his mouth was
opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65Fear
came upon all those who lived around them, and all these things were being
talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66All who heard
took them to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed,
the Lord’s hand was with him.[1]
By now Elizabeth's waiting was over, for the time had come for the baby to be born—and it was a boy. The word spread quickly to her neighbors and relatives of how kind the Lord had been to her, and everyone rejoiced.
When the baby was eight days old, all the relatives and friends came for the circumcision ceremony. They all assumed the baby's name would be Zacharias, after his father.
But Elizabeth said, "No! He must be named John!"
"What?" they exclaimed. "There is no one in all your family by that name." So they asked the baby's father, talking to him by gestures.
He motioned for a piece of paper and to everyone's surprise wrote, "His name is John!" Instantly Zacharias could speak again, and he began praising God.
Wonder fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread through the Judean hills. And everyone who heard about it thought long thoughts and asked, "I wonder what this child will turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord is surely upon him in some special way."
Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- How did John's birth fulfill the words of the angel in verses 13-17?
- How did the neighbors and relatives respond to these events? What were the neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth concerned about? How does all this begin to promote the Gospel?
- As Zechariah's neighbor, what would you think about his son?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I apply it to my life starting today?
- Describe a time when you, like Zechariah, took a step of faith and began speaking, praising God.
- How was the "Lord's hand" seen in John's life? In your life?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
The circumcision ceremony was an important event in the family of a Jewish baby boy. God commanded circumcision when he was beginning to form his holy nation (Genesis 17:4-14), and he reaffirmed it through Moses (Leviticus 12:1-3). This ceremony was a time of joy when friends and family members celebrated the baby's becoming part of God's covenant nation. Today there is also great joy when a baby is born, and some churches have special ceremonies to commemorate the blessed event. You were born into a human family, but to become a part of God's family, you must accept Jesus as your Savior. Are you a part of God's family?
Zechariah Prophesies
Zachariah’s Song
at John’s Birth
Luke 1:67–80
67Then his father Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and
prophesied: 68“Blessed is the
Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for
His people, 69and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the
house of His servant David, 70just as He spoke by the mouth of His
holy prophets of old: 71salvation from our enemies and from the
clutches of those who hate us. 72He has dealt mercifully with our
fathers and remembered His holy covenant—73the oath that He swore to
our father Abraham. He has granted us that, 74having been rescued
from our enemies’ clutches, we might serve Him without fear 75in
holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days. 76And you,
child, will be called a prophet of the
Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 77to
give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78because
of our God’s merciful compassion by which the Dawn from on high will visit us, 79to
shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet
into the way of peace.”
80The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the
wilderness until the day of His public appearance to Israel.[1]
Questions: How did you (or would you) celebrate the birth of your first child?
Then his father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to visit his people and has redeemed them. He is sending us a Mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago—someone to save us from our enemies, from all who hate us.
"He has been merciful to our ancestors, yes, to Abraham himself, by remembering his sacred promise to him, and by granting us the privilege of serving God fearlessly, freed from our enemies, and by making us holy and acceptable, ready to stand in his presence forever.
"And you, my little son, shall be called the prophet of the glorious God, for you will prepare the way for the Messiah. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven's dawn is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace."
The little boy greatly loved God, and when he grew up he lived out in the lonely wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Make a list of the things for which Zechariah praises God. How would you summarize the prophecy of Zacharias? How does his song compare and contrast with Mary's (vv. 46-55)?
- What does it mean that Zechariah was "filled with the Holy Spirit"? Is that the same experience with the Spirit that believers experience today? Why or why not?
- What, according to this song, is the purpose of salvation? How does Zechariah's song show God's unfolding plan from the OT days to the coming of the Messiah?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I apply it to my life starting today?
- Of the promises listed in this song, which one means the most to you? Why?
- How has God unfolded his plan of salvation in your life? Who helped prepare the way? What were some key events that led you to your commitment to Jesus?
- Write a verse of praise to God using the special events from your own spiritual journey.
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
God's Power and Faithful People
Zacharias had just recalled hundreds of years of God's sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity. Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story. His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, he chooses to work through frail humans who begin as helpless babies. Don't minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to him. You may not feel as though you can do much for God, but all he requires is faith and a willing spirit. Let God do his work in and through you!
Zacharias prophesied the coming of a Savior who would redeem his people, and he predicted that his son, John, would prepare the Messiah's way. All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true. The Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah, but they thought he would come to save them from the powerful Roman Empire. They were ready for a military Savior, but not for a peaceful Messiah who would conquer sin.
Luke 1:74-75 -- “To rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”
When you come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are delivered from your enemies. You are no longer under judgment by God; your place as a child of God is secured in heaven; the decay of your human body is replaced with life immortal; and the outcomes of this world are absorbed into God’s purpose for you. Psalm 119:20 “My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times.”
The things of this physical world that consume your everyday life are now seen and experienced within God’s eternal perspective and the living out of His purpose in you. Matthew 6:20‐21 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Those things that create fear, anxiety, and hopelessness have been replaced with a new spirit and heart that are not only made alive, but also empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit in you!
Claim your place of freedom and walk in the freshness and love of God’s grace each day. Allow God to take those things that plague your identity in Christ and to make them a living testimony to the living Christ in you. Live without fear by trusting Him for everything – knowing that you are secure in Christ!
Philippians 1:20‐21 ‐‐ “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
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