Characters at the Cradle: John the Baptist, His Name is John

by David Chadwick

The ultimate name of the Christmas story is born into a cradle. His name is Jesus. But there are many characters at the cradle who play significant roles in highlighting the Savior of the world. One, in particular, is the forerunner to the message of Jesus.

His name is John.

Luke 1:61-63 continues the story of John’s circumcision. Even though everyone thought this special baby would be named after his father, Gabriel instructed Zechariah to name him John. Because Zechariah was still mute, Elizabeth had just spoken up to tell everyone the name.

No one who gathered for this special event understood. They said, “None of your relatives is called by this name” (Luke 1:61). Thinking Elizabeth was wrong, they turned to Zechariah and started to make signs to him, asking him if this was what he really wanted. Why is this so important? Because making signs implied that Zechariah was not only mute, but also could have been deaf! We don’t know for sure, but he clearly needed a sign language of sorts to understand what they were saying.

Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” I would imagine this is probably how Zechariah mostly had communicated with Elizabeth and others during these long nine months.

After hearing from Zechariah himself, the people all wondered, “Why? How?” This suggests that they didn’t know what had happened in the temple with the angel Gabriel. It was apparently a secret between Zechariah and Elizabeth. What a beautiful nod to the sacredness of marriage. Sometimes there are secrets that only a husband and wife hold dear to their hearts.

Can you imagine how Zechariah and Elizabeth communicated their hearts and expressed their faith to one another during those quiet nine months together? Maybe a longing look? A squeezed hand? A silent prayer together? They were one flesh, clinging to the goodness of God and claiming his promises together. A special love language was most assuredly forged between them! A language that most assuredly was imprinted on the heart of John even while growing in the womb

You’ll have to join me tomorrow to see what happens next.

Characters at the Cradle: John The Baptist, What’s His Name?

by David Chadwick

What’s in a name? There is power in a name. Meaning in a name. Purpose in a name. In Scripture, names often point to someone’s God-ordained purpose. Today, you will learn why John’s name was significant.

After John was born, Zechariah and Elizabeth took him to be circumcised on the eighth day, as was the Jewish custom. This was also the time when the father would pronounce the name of the child.

Often in biblical times, the child would be named after the father. This actually still happens a lot in today’s culture as well. So for John’s circumcision, everyone gathered on that day anticipating that this baby’s name would be Zechariah, after his daddy.

Now remember, Zechariah is still without his voice. It’s been nine months since Gabriel closed Zechariah’s vocal cords, and not a word has been spoken in all these months. So it was Elizabeth who responded, “No; he shall be called John.”

Somehow, Zechariah had clearly communicated with Elizabeth all that Gabriel had told him, including the fact that they were to name their son John. In that moment, Elizabeth communicated with precise obedience from all that Zechariah had been commanded to do.

The name John means “God is gracious.” This name spoke prophetically to the fact that John would pave the way for the life of Jesus to grace this earth, a life that would forever change the course of history and the trajectory of the world.

Do you get a sense as to why God chose Zechariah and Elizabeth to parent this special child named John? I believe it is because God knew that they had a heart of obedience to accomplish ALL that God would command them to do.

A heart of obedience often precedes God’s gifts of miracles. This still holds true for us today.

Do you have a heart of obedience? Do you desire to obey God in whatever he asks of you?

I would encourage all of us to posture ourselves to be the kinds of people to whom he will entrust his plans.

Characters at the Cradle: John the Baptist, The Birth

by David Chadwick

This week, we are going to look at another character at the cradle. Join me as we explore the birth of John the Baptist, found in Luke 1:57-66. We will start today by looking at verses 57 and 58.

Elizabeth’s time to give birth has finally arrived! After her five months of hiddenness and Zechariah’s nine months of silence, the divine time for John to enter the world had arrived!

Think about all that must have happened to Elizabeth over those nine months. Somehow, Zechariah figured out a way to tell her about Gabriel’s visit to him in the temple. The shock, the unbelief, the awe, the acceptance. You know there must have been a wide range of emotions.

Then, as alluded to earlier, for five months, Elizabeth hid herself and spent time absorbing the magnitude of this news. After so many long years of praying and waiting, they would finally have a son. And oh, how great this son would be!

Because Gabriel had shut Zechariah’s mouth after displaying unbelief, Elizabeth was left with a lot of time to ponder quietly during her pregnancy. She probably spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation.

Then, if you remember, Elizabeth also had that special designated time with her cousin, Mary. When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb in the presence of Jesus. Even in the womb, John knew he was in the presence of the Son of God. It's yet another pro-life verse people should study. A child in the womb can leap for joy!

When John was born, Elizabeth’s neighbors came and shared in her joy. They rejoiced in the Lord’s mercy toward her, giving her a child in old age, and ultimately removing the reproach of barrenness for her and Zechariah.

JOY! It’s what they all experienced. One of the greatest producers of joy is answered prayer. In fact, the Bible says that “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12). Think about the many answered prayers that you have seen take place in your life. As you do, let faith arise that God still may answer the deepest desires of your heart.

Answered prayers always produce great joy. Have faith and continue to believe even before you have received the promise! This produces faith, which cannot be taken away.

And this faith realized produces great joy!