CSSA 1-3-24 - THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

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74. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

"Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. "

Aim

To show how Zacharias and Elisabeth had a son in their old age who was to he the forerunner of the Messiah.

As we have already seen, Haggai and Zechariah were prophets who returned from Babylon at the end of the seventy years captivity. They encouraged the people in rebuilding the Temple and in restoring the worship of Yahweh. The last prophet in the Old Testament was Malachi. He prophesied in the time of Nehemiah, when one of the biggest problems in Judah was marrying out of the Truth. Marriage with outsiders is one of the surest ways to turn the people from God to false worship, and Malachi spoke strongly about this. He was the last prophet God spoke through before the coming of John the Baptist. For nearly six hundred years Israel had been ruled over by mighty nations; Babylon, Persia, Greece and now Rome, just as God had shown Nebuchadnezzar in his dream. The Jews longed to be free of foreign rule. If only they would realize it, God has brought these nations against them to punish them so that they might learn to humble themselves and turn back to Him. As always, there were a few faithful in Israel who still read the Law and the prophets. These men and women waited anxiously for the coming of Messiah, the "anointed" of God. They believed that Messiah would come and set them free. They looked for signs in the world affairs, just as we do today, for we believe that Christ, the ''anointed' king of Israel, will soon come a second time.

Luke 1:5-25,57-80

ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH: Luke 1:5-7

Among those who waited for the coming of Messiah was a faithful priest of God, named Zacharias. He and his wife Elisabeth were happy serving God. "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless " (v 6). One thing had always disappointed them € they had not been blessed with children. Now, however, they were both old and Elisabeth was past the age of childbearing. Not only had they prayed that God would give them children, but also that Messiah would come. This was their constant prayer.

ZACHARIAS IN THE TEMPLE: Luke 1:8-22

When David had arranged the Temple services many years earlier, he had set priests in twenty-four courses, so that each had their turn to do the priestly work in the Temple (1 Chronicles 24:19). When Zacharias' turn came, his service was to burn the incense in the Holy Place. Outside, the people came to pray as the incense ascended.

Suddenly, as Zacharias approached the altar, an angel of God ap peared standing on the right side of the altar of incense. The sight of the angel made Zacharias afraid, but the angel spoke to him and said: "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Not only would this make Zacharias and Elisabeth happy, but the angel said that many would rejoice at his birth. He would be a very special child, for God would have a great work for him to do. Because of his special work, he would not be allowed to drink wine or strong drink. (You may re member that this had also been forbidden by God in the case of Samson € Judges 13:4-5 and Numbers 6:2-3.) John's mind must be kept clear at all times, so that he could concentrate on the work God had for him to do. This work was so important that "he would be filled with the Holy Spirit" from his birth (v 15). What was this great work that he would do for God that required such careful preparation from the time he was born? The angel told Zacharias that this son, who would be born to him and Elisabeth in their old age, was the one who would "make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (v 17). He was to be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He would be a herald, who would announce the good news to Israel that Messiah was coming. The hearts of the people of Israel must be made ready to welcome him. They had lived for the last four hundred years without a prophet of God in their midst. So it was necessary for someone to put the people in the right frame of mind to receive their Messiah. "Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God" (v 16).

Zacharias was stunned. He could scarcely believe all that he had heard. "Whereby shall I know this?" he asked the messenger of God who stood before him, "for I am well stricken in years " (v 18). In an swer to his question, the angel revealed who he was. "/ am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God" (v 19). This was the angel that had ap peared to Daniel in Babylon hundreds of years earlier (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). This angel had told Daniel of the coming of Messiah and now he was telling Zacharias that his son would be the one to announce that Messiah had come! No wonder Zacharias was astonished at such a message. The angel went on to tell Zacharias the sign he would have. "Behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season " (v 20). This would be a sign to Zacharias and to all who knew him, that this message was indeed from God.

Outside the people waited, wondering why Zacharias took so long. When at last he appeared, he was unable to tell them what had happened, for just as the angel had said, he was dumb. It was obvious though, from the way he looked and made signs that he had seen a vision in the Temple.

ELISABETH HAS A SON: Luke 1:23-25, 57-66

When his turn of service was finished in the Temple, he returned to his house in the hill country of Judea. There he and Elisabeth eagerly waited for the birth of their son. At last the happy time came, and all their friends and relatives gathered round to share their joy. They were de lighted to hear that "the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her" (v 58), in giving Elisabeth a son in her old age.

As was the custom in Israel, the little boy was circumcised on the eighth day, and everyone gathered with the family to celebrate. They all expected him to be named Zacharias, after his father. Elisabeth, how ever, had learned from Zacharias that the angel Gabriel had already named him John. "He shall be called John, " she said, which means "the grace of God". Everyone was puzzled, for that name had not been in the family before. They made signs to Zacharias, to see what his wish was. Since he still could not speak, they gave him something to write on and he clearly wrote: "His name is John" (v 63). Everyone was surprised; and then they witnessed something even more amazing. Zacharias was sud denly able to speak again! After nine months of silence, "his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God" (v 64). This was a miracle in deed and they were afraid, because this was something they did not understand. News of these amazing events spread quickly throughout the district, and everyone wondered, "What manner of child shall this be"(v66).

ZACHARIAS PROPHESIES: Luke 1:67-80

Not only was Zacharias able to speak again, but he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people " (v 68). He spoke of Messiah, the one whom we know as Jesus, who was yet to be born. God had long ago promised that He would send Israel a saviour, just as He had prom ised to Abraham and to David (Genesis 22:17-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16). Now He was about to fulfil His word and John would become the one to run on ahead with the good news.

"'Thou, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" (v 76).

These startling events were the beginning of many amazing things in Israel. The little boy grew and "the hand of the Lord was with him" (v 66). He then went out into the deserts and there he stayed till he was ready to make his announcement to all Israel.

LESSON FOR US

Zacharias and Elisabeth are wonderful examples to us. They were upright in their behaviour, obeying all God's commandments. They prayed always, not only for what they wanted, but that God's purpose might be fulfilled in the earth. They knew that the coming of God's promised son would bring great joy and happiness both to them and to all Israel, but they never dreamed that they would play such an important part in his appearing. They were humble people and it is such people that God chooses.

Let us show these same qualities in our life, so that when the Lord Jesus Christ appears a second time, we will not be afraid when his mes senger calls us to come and meet him.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The coming of John the Baptist was mentioned by the prophets long before his birth. Zacharias would have known well the words of Isaiah: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3).

Malachi also spoke of him: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:1).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

/. What kind of people were Zacharias and Elisabeth?

What was Zacharias doing in the Temple?
What were the people doing outside the Temple?
Who appeared to Zacharias in the Temple?
What was the first thing that the angel said that would make Zacharias and Elisabeth very happy?
What was the great work God had for this son to do?
What was to be the name of this baby and what does his name mean?
What good news would he announce to Israel?
What sign did the angel give to Zacharias?
How did Zacharias let the people know what his son should be called?
What amazing thing happened after Zacharias wrote the name of his son for the people to see?
Where did John live when he grew up?