199. JOHN THE BAPTIST: HIS BIRTH AND MISSION

"Thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways"

Malachi had told the people of his day that the "God of Judgment" would come, and warned them that few would be ready to receive Him when He did. Because of this evil state, it would be necessary for God to send another messenger first, to "prepare the way" (Malachi 3:1). For four hundred years God remained silent while Israel corrupted their way by ignoring His word. The silence was broken by the sudden appearance of Gabriel to Zacharias. The subsequent birth of John the Baptist, the herald of Messiah, led to a religious reformation as the conscience of the nation was probed by the forthrightness of the wilderness prophet. In this way the hearts of the people were prepared to receive the "messenger of the covenant", the only begotten Son of God.

Luke 1:1-27, 57-80

CONDITIONS IN ISRAEL WHEN JOHN WAS BORN.

Because of Israel's wickedness, God had permitted evil nations like Babylon, Persia, and Greece, to conquer and rule them, and now Rome, having conquered the broken Greek Empire, was the Master of the World! Remember how God had foretold this through Daniel (chapter 2:31-40). The Jews were a proud nation who hated to be under the rule of foreigners, and they looked forward to the day when they would be free again.

The Jews not only saw the hated Romans ruling as overlords, but found themselves under the control of a foreigner. Herod the Great an Idumean (or Edomite) had married a beautiful Jewish princess was "con­verted" to Judaism and had been appointed by the Romans as King of Judea.

What marked the Jews as a separate people was the Law which God had given them through Moses. This law was the basis of the nation's life. Although Rome ruled the land, it allowed the Jews to control the af­fairs of the Temple in Jerusalem. In these times there were many religious sects. There were the proud, haughty Pharisees, and the wealthy Sadduccee priests; there were the Lawyers and Scribes, all of whom held dif­ferent beliefs, none living the Law as God intended.

In the midst of all this religious confusion there were the common peo­ple, looking for guidance, and vainly seeking a shepherd who could lead them into Truth. But to those who followed the Old Testament writings and the words of the prophets, it was an age of hope. Although these pro­phets had lived hundreds of years before, their sayings had been kept in books named after them, and they had not been forgotten. For example, Isaiah wrote about the time when Israel would again be a great nation (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10): Daniel foretold the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:24-27).

ZACHARIAS IN THE TEMPLE. Luke 1:5-22.

A faithful priest and servant of God named Zacharias, and his wife Elisabeth, were among those who awaited the coming of Messiah. The Hebrew word "Messiah" means "anointed" (in Greek the word is "Christ") and tells of a Prince who would come as a leader of His peo­ple. Zacharias and Elizabeth were "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (1:5).

But life had brought one great disappointment — they had no children, even though they had often prayed for them (1:13). Unknown to them, they would become the parents of the greatest of the prophets who should prepare the way for God's Son.

As a priest, Zacharias' "lot was to burn incense" in the Temple. This was done in the morning and evening, and when the priest entered the Holy Place silence fell upon the assembly of worshippers outside. The sweet-smelling incense which ascended from the golden altar was like the prayers of saints in which praise and thanksgiving ascend to God (cf. Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3). The Jews had learnt the spiritual significance of the fragrant incense, for we read that they were "praying without at the time of incense" (1:10).

Whilst Zacharias went about his solemn duties, he suddenly became aware of someone standing at the right hand of the incense altar. It was an angel of Yahweh, illuminated by the dim reflection of the seven-branched lampstand. It seems that he sensed the figure was an angel, for he was petrified with fear. The silence of four hundred years was about to be broken and the voice of God was again heard, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John". He could scarcely believe his ears as words of comfort and importance came from the lips of the angelic visitor. John means "the Grace of Yahweh". This one to be born would usher in a new era in which Divine grace would lead men to repentance, and replace law, fear, and death (Romans 2:4; John 1:17). What a son! What an important role to play!

The angel Gabriel proceeded to tell of John's special mission as pro­phet and forerunner of the Messiah. John's mission was to be like that of Elijah. He was to go forth "in the spirit and power of Elijah" to prepare the hearts of the people that they might accept their Messiah (Luke 1:15-17; 1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:6).

Zacharias was staggered by the angel's appearance and words. He wanted confirmation of the promise, especially as both he and Elisabeth were old. The angel in reply informed him of his identity. He was the angel Gabriel, of such importance that he "stood in the presence of God!" Zacharias was given a sign, which by its very nature, was a rebuke for his unbelief. He would be dumb until the words of promise would be fulfilled (Luke 1:19-20).

Outside the people grew anxious fearing that something had happened to him. When he emerged from the door he was faced with the problem of explaining his delay. Beckoning to them, with his hands he endeavoured to convey the strange tidings, and when he could not speak they realised that he had seen a vision. The people left the Temple in bewilderment, wondering about the strange happening.

Zacharias departed home after his ministrations were over, and, in ac­cordance with Gabriel's words, at the appointed time, their son was born.

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Luke 1:57-80.

Gabriel had said that they would have joy and gladness and that many would rejoice at his birth (Luke 1:14). Elisabeth and Zacharias were not the only excited ones. So were all the inhabitants of the small town in the hills. They knew how much this couple had desired children, and now their prayers had been answered.

On the eighth day after his birth neighbours and cousins gathered to witness the circumcision and naming of the child. Those present took matters into their own hands and named him Zacharias. Was not this his father's name and the name of many an honourable Israelite? Its mean­ing, "Yahweh hath remembered", seemed appropriate, too. But Elisabeth's wishes had not been sought, and she declared that he should be called John. This raised a storm of protest, in the face of which she had to appeal to Zacharias! They felt sure that he would confirm their choice and when, quite independently, he obtained a slate and wrote down, "his name is John", they were amazed. At that instant his mouth was opened and he spoke and praised God (1:64). The people wondered at the strange turn in events and no doubt many of these impressions would have been remembered in the years to come. So from a very early age John became the object of curiosity as people wondered "what man­ner of child he would be" (Luke 1:65-66).

THE MISSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Luke 1:15-17, 76-80.

Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Spirit, thanked God for His goodness in visiting and redeeming His people, for the time had now come when the promised seed of David (v.69) and Abraham (v.73) would appear to deliver those faithful Israelites who looked for salvation. He then addressed his own son, "and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" (vv. 76-80).

Zacharias knew well the words of Isaiah the prophet "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of Yahweh" (Isaiah 40:3) and now it was revealed to him that his son would be the one to do this great work.

He also knew the words of Malachi: "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 Yahweh of hosts" (Malachi 3:1). Zacharias knew the son to be born to him would be a forerunner, and that his work would be to "prepare the way" for Jesus Christ, described as "the messenger of the covenant". As Gabriel had told Zacharias (v.15) John was to be "great in the sight of the Lord". Like a Nazarite he was to drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth.

"So the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80). In solitude, living on locusts and wild honey, he grew to manhood. Far away from the corrup­tion of the townspeople, engrossed in absorbing the mind of the Spirit, John waited for the moment when God would send him upon his mission as forerunner of Messiah. He would fearlessly challenge the conscience of the nation and lead men back to God.

LESSON FOR US:

We have learned that there were those who studied God's Word and were expecting the coming of a great leader. Many in Israel at this time were watching the signs of the times. Others were waiting patiently for Israel's Messiah to appear. It is good to watch the signs of the times, but much patience is required to wait for their fulfilment. When we are young the time of fulfilment seems so far away and it does not seem so impor­tant, but God's will is always fulfilled and we have to learn to wait upon Him in patience. As people in those days waited patiently for the ap­pearance of John and Jesus, we now await with patience, beholding the wonderful signs of the second coming of Jesus to this earth.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Ministry of the Prophets" (C.C. Walker)—Chapter 40.

"Nazareth Revisited" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 4 and 5.

"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield)—Vol. 8, No.l.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the conditions in Israel when John was born.

2. Why did the angel Gabriel reveal himself to Zacharias in the Temple?

3. What was the mission of John the Baptist?

4. Describe what happened when the friends gathered to witness the naming of John.

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Describe in detail the visit of the angel Gabriel to Zacharias the priest.

2. Tell the story of the birth of John the Baptist and describe his mission.