Characters at the Cradle: Zechariah’s Prophecy, God Sent John

by David Chadwick

The Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are present throughout the biblical narrative. Much like in Genesis 1, where the Trinity is present during creation, the same holds true with these characters at the cradle.

The Bible tells us that many of these characters at the cradle were specifically marked with the Holy Spirit during their encounters with the Christ child. The Spirit “came upon” Mary (Luke 1:35). Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as she first met Jesus in the womb of her cousin, Mary (Luke 1:41). And then in verse 67, Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Zechariah continued his Spirit-filled prophecy in verse 76 by specifically addressing his child, John, given to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. He would be called “the prophet of the Most High.” John’s divine purpose would be to go before the Lord and prepare his ways. What a powerful calling! John’s life would be marked as a human mouthpiece for the Most High God.

Did you know that Malachi prophesied about John’s arrival as the forerunner of Jesus in Malachi 4:5? Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets, prophesying right around 420 BC before the 400 years of silence. Take note of the wonder of this situation! The last Old Testament prophet prophesied the coming of the final prophet, who would prepare the way for Jesus’s arrival.

God chose, ordained, and sent John to prepare the way for his son, Jesus. Both John’s and Jesus’s miraculous births were a sovereign part of God’s plan to redeem the world. Through their providential lives, the grace and mercy of Jesus were displayed, restoring the ability to have restoration between creation and the Creator.

John would carry the same spirit of the great Old Testament prophet Elijah, who constantly preached repentance, which paved the way for Jesus to share God’s message of rich forgiveness, grace, and mercy. But remember, without the message of repentance, God’s grace and mercy are just sloppy sentimentality.

True life change should always propel you into a new life of holiness and righteousness that can only be found in Jesus.