Luke 1:57-80; “John’s Story”
Pastor Dodge explores Luke’s account of John the Baptist in today’s study. It’s a story that starts with the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth who was well past her child-bearing years, yet God was faithful to His promise to her husband Zechariah.
In today’s text John is born and it is the 8th day after his birth, the day that the baby boy would be circumcised and named. Their family and friends are sure the baby boy will be named a family name after Zechariah. However Elizabeth follows through with what the angel Gabriel had told her husband when the angel had announced they would have a son. And Elizabeth states the child would be named John just as the angel told them to name him.
Since the angel’s visit to Zechariah he had become unable to speak because he doubted the word of God through the angel. As family is saying how can you name him John, Zechariah writes on his tablet that the child’s name is John and he is instantly healed and able to speak. He praises the Lord and everyone joins in thanking God for this miraculous healing.
The story is a reminder that God has never stopped doing things. He has never stopped acting. He is moving constantly and revealing himself to men, women and children. He is the Living God. He is near and He does these things still today!
Zechariah is a priest – with some holy speculation – it is possible he is the one who may have circumcised John that day. We read that Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of the Last Days which began with the coming of Jesus when Mary became pregnant God has been filling people with His Holy Spirit – men, women, young and old. Not just then, 2000 years ago, but still today.
Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and then prophecies the coming of the Messiah, the fulfillment of God promises of a Redeemer. Zechariah goes on to prophecy over his son as the one to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.
John grew up and became strong in the Spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he began to appear publicly to the people of Israel.
We read in all 4 gospels about
JOHN’S CHARACTER
1. Prophetic – John was prophetic in his actions and his behavior. Wearing a camel hair garment and a leather belt – an outfit that harkened back to the prophet Elijah – John like Elijah calls people back to God.
2. Courageous – John called all to come back to God. He even told the religious. He told soldiers, prostitutes, tax collectors, even a king. John did not back down from courageously speaking God’s of all needing a Savior.
3. Humble – John knew his life belonged to God. He knew his life was not his own. We too are called to be humble before God because a humble heart is open to receive what God desires to impart.
JOHN’S MESSAGE
1. Sin – John taught the unpopular message that God takes sin seriously. Sin is rebellion against God. All have sinned and all of us need a Savior. Sin is treason against God.
2. Repentance – repentance is the proper response to recognizing that “I am a sinner.” Repentance is a 180 degree turn around – it’s an about face in one’s life and it is turning back to God. Repentance is also a change of mind in the way we look at our sinful nature.
3. Salvation – John taught that God keeps His word and redeems us by sending His Son to save us all through faith in Jesus. John points us to Jesus – our Savior who brings us Salvation.
In our lives we too are to prepare the way for Jesus’ return, He is coming, and so we prepare by living for Him alone.
⁃ Prepared.
⁃ Changed.
⁃ Renewed.
⁃ Inviting Jesus into our daily living.
⁃ Reflecting on Him.
⁃ Living out of the Good News.
He transforms us
and on the last day
He will raise us!
Until then we are to serve, follow and grow in Him who is Lord of our lives.
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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. This book written by Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.
This study is great for large group, small group or home group study.
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