Scripture:
Luke 1:57-66 (English Standard Version)
The Birth of John the Baptist
57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord(A) had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59And(B) on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60but his mother answered, "No;(C) he shall be called John." 61And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." 62And(D) they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63And he asked for(E) a writing tablet and wrote,(F) "His name is John." And they all wondered. 64(G) And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue(H) loosed, and he spoke,(I) blessing God. 65And(J) fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all(K) the hill country of Judea, 66and all who heard them(L) laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For(M) the hand of the Lord was with him.
Cross references:
Luke 1:58 : Gen 19:19
Luke 1:59 : Luke 2:21; Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3; Phil 3:5
Luke 1:60 : Luke 1:13
Luke 1:62 : Luke 1:22
Luke 1:63 : Isa 8:1; 30:8
Luke 1:63 : Luke 1:60
Luke 1:64 : Luke 1:20
Luke 1:64 : Mark 7:35
Luke 1:64 : Luke 2:28; 24:53
Luke 1:65 : Luke 7:16
Luke 1:65 : Luke 1:39
Luke 1:66 : Luke 2:19, 51
Luke 1:66 : Acts 11:21; 13:11
Reflection:
Are you surprised to see the relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth quibble over what to name their newborn child? Don’t we do the same thing? This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means "the Lord is gracious". In the birth of John and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin and death and without hope. John’s miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Lord and Savior, the Christ. When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises. Do you make your life an offering to God, along with your family, and all that you possess? God wants to fill us with his glory all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, you are gracious and forgiving towards us. May I ever seek to bring you glory in all that I do and say.
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