Luke 1:5-25 –The birth of John the Baptist announced

Luke began with the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. He took us way before the conception of John and introduced us to his parents, a devout couple, Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were childless because the wife was described as barren. Her barrenness could have caused the couple tremendous grief secretly. Their pressure must have heightened, because in their time the community placed great emphasis on child-bearing.

The Temple was very central to the life of the nation. Zacharias was a priest who served in the Temple. Covering some 35 acres, the Temple was built by Herod the Great at an exorbitant cost. It was truly a remarkable building. At this point it was Zacharias’ turn to conduct the public worship of God as well as to pray for the nation. We are told that as he was offering incense before God, the Lord answered the couples’ prayers of many years. His wife would conceive and have a son.

Gabriel, an archangel of God, appeared to Zacharias where he was serving and told him the news that he would soon have a child and he was to be named, John. That name means ‘Jehovah has been gracious’. This was indeed a miracle of God’s grace for this devout couple. However, John was to live the life of a Nazirite, meaning he was to be wholly consecrated to God. A Nazirite is an Israelite especially consecrated to God. Like Samson of old, he was forbidden to drink wine or strong grape juice. This would ensure that the source of his strength and joy would be known as coming from God alone and not from consuming alcohol. For continuity, verse 17 links John’s ministry to Malachi 4:5-6, the last two verses of the Old Testament. He was born to fulfil God’s promise to His people described in the Hebrew Scripture.  

Zacharias’ question shows us that he was unsure and entertained doubts in what Gabriel, who stood as God’s representative, had said. It may seem that his doubt was natural, since both he and his wife were advanced in years. It would take a gigantic miracle for the conception to take place. But what this revealed is that at the very root of it all, he didn’t believe God. He didn’t believe that God could answer his prayers and that He has the ability to do the impossible. So in verse 20, the angel Gabriel told him that he would be stricken dumb until after John’s birth. This is because he did not believe the word of God sent through Gabriel. Here we are reminded of the importance to trust God at His word. It is important to acknowledge that He has the power and can do the impossible. Like it or not, doubt always put a stain on a person’s character. Questioning God’s word and ability is not just a weakness, it is skirting at the border of sin.

What we see following the announcement took place exactly as Gabriel had said to Zacharias. He was unable to speak after performing his service. And the people surmised that he must have seen a vision. And the conception of John the Baptist took place as foretold, although Elizabeth was long past the capacity to bear a child. So as she was expecting her firstborn, she lived in seclusion from the world. Her seclusion was just the right prelude for the life of John the Baptist himself. For one day, John himself would live in seclusion in the wilderness, far from the maddening crow. He would attend to the voice of God in the deep silence of the surrounding desert.

What the experiences of Zacharias and Elizabeth tell us is this: we must seek to walk in righteousness and in obedience to God’s instruction. And as devout as we may seem to be, it is imperative that we take God at His word. We must trust that God will say what He means and means what He says. The onus is on us, to take Him at His word. So just trust and obey!