Anchor My Faith

Title: What Would John Become? (Luke 1:64-66)

In the previous lesson, we ended with Elizabeth’s baby being named John, but the excitement didn’t stop there: “And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors” (Luke 1:64 – 65a ESV). For nine months Zachariah was unable to speak and based on verse 62, he was probably unable to hear. Now as he writes down the name John, Zachariah is again able to speak and the first thing he did was to bless God. As he does fear, or a reverent awe, came upon the people, not because he said, “He shall be called John.”, but because at that instant his speech was restored.

“And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea” (Luke 1:65b ESV). The birth of John was not a typical birth because of surrounding circumstances, and as a result it stimulated much conversation throughout all the hill country of Judea. The things they talked about began with the appearance of Gabriel when Zachariah was offering the sacrifice at the temple. Then there was the message delivered by Gabriel, Zachariah’s punishment of being deaf and dumb for doubting the message that Elizabeth would give birth to a son, the conception of Elizabeth, who had been barren all her life, the unusual name of John given to the baby boy, and the more unusual manner in which he was named, and Zachariah’s ability to once again talk after he confirmed the name of John.

As the days passed, things got back too normal and people went about the business of daily living, but as they did a question lingered: “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” (Luke 1:66 ESV). Because of the remarkable circumstances of the birth of John, people suspected that God was raising up a prophet, or that some great event would be associated with his life.

People who were watching the events surrounding John unfold, realized that the hand of the Lord was with him and would sometime in the future produce some great event. Zachariah will add even more interest in John by his words of prophecy that we will study in the nest section.

Prayer

Father, as I think about John being chosen by you to accomplish an assignment, I can’t help think about the fact that God chose me and I became a product of his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works as prepared for me to do. I find that the satisfaction and joy I have in doing this work with the Lord, far out shadows anything the world has to offer. Father, I look forward to see how the life of John unfolds as I also look forward to what lies ahead for me. Thank you for your call upon my life.