Mary
stayed with Elizabeth for the remaining three months. This being so she could likely
be present at the birth of John. Of course this is just a postulation because the
Word is silent. So after staying three months, she returned home. And if Mary
was present, she must have witnessed a spectacular miracle. And perhaps she too
had the joy of placing John on Elizabeth’s waiting arms. Here Elizabeth, like
Sarah, must have laughed as her baby John let out his cries at his arrival. And
both laughter of the mother and the cry of the son was heard in the hillside of
Judea. The neighbors, who have heard of the great things God had done for Elizabeth,
they too rejoiced. This brings us back to the word of Gabriel in Luke 1:14 and
see its fulfillment. The angel was heard saying, “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
As a Jewish child, John was circumcised, as other
Jewish children, on the eighth day of life. One can imagine the relatives of
the happy parents came and shared the joy of the happy occasion. This act marked
the forerunner of Christ and made him a legal member of God’s covenant community.
And now, he was obligated to fulfil what the Law had prescribed and also to share
the blessings of God, as promised. When it came to naming him, the relatives
were going to call him Zachariah after his father. His mother insisted that he
would be called John as instructed by Gabriel. We can imagine the puzzled look
on the faces of the relatives. For no one in the family had ever been called by
that name. So they came to Zacharias who was still unable to speak. So he
gesticulated for them to bring him a tablet so he could write his instruction.
And he wrote confidently the words – his name is John, meaning the Lord has
given grace. And indeed He has! It’s difficult to appreciate the shock this
must have been to the family, for in that culture every child was given a name
after someone in the family. This name would tell them that John was different.
Like his name, his mission would be out of the natural order.
As soon as Zacharias agreed with Elizabeth,
his speech was loosened and he could speak. And he began praising God. Unlike
his first response of doubt, he now responded in faith. And with faith, he
obeyed the instruction of God given through the archangel. Faith coupled with obedience
always release the blessings of God. So it did that day in the home of Zacharias.
Just think of it this way, for none months he went about speechless, and probably
frustrated with his inability to communicate like others. So now out of his
pent up frustration, he issued a barrage of loud emotional praise to God, who
truly deserves all praises.
This wonderful event brought about a renewed hope
in God in that town that day. And Luke said, “Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters
were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.” There was great awe in
the neighborhood. Everyone could sense the work of God unfolding there. It had
generated a healthy spiritual conversation within the village and there was a renewed
sense that God was indeed beginning a fresh work among them.
Just think of what
must have filled Zacharias’ mind. It must have dawn on him that it is difficult to
confine God with the ordinary thoughts he had about Him. God can and will act
in ways that are beyond the confine of our capacity to think or imagine. He is
a supernatural God! Nothing is too difficult for Him. Think of what Jeremiah
32:17 says, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made
the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.”
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