Morning Moments

Having look yesterday at the Background of John Baptist's Birth, today we will see The Birth. Messiah could not come before the "forerunner." It had been prophesied and now it shall be fulfilled.

Read Lk 1:57-80

II. Birth
A. The Delivery “a son”
God never prophesies what He doesn’t perform. It doesn’t matter how difficult or impossible it may seem. We don’t have to “figure it our,” just believe it. Age is merely a stage where we play out the drama of life. Every Jewish woman longed for a son, but Elizabeth's time for that had long passed. Or so they thought! But God had a surprise! He often does.

B. The Dedication “circumcised”
The law required circumcision (a sign of covenant) on the eighth day. We now know that blood coagulates faster on the eighth day than any other time in life. This is a sign of the "cutting away" of the flesh and the beginning of new life. Paul said it is the circumcision of the heart that is important. There is obviously a hygienic reason also.

C. The Decision “John”
I never cease to be amazed how God works in two (or more) hearts to confirm what he is doing. It seemed strange to her family and friends that Elizabeth would give this child a name that was not a family name. But why John? John means Jehovah has been gracious; Jehovah has graciously given, and that is precisely what happened here.

D. The Declaration “John”
What freedom there is in obedience. When Zechariah confirmed in writing what God had written in his heart, his tongue was loosed and he began to praise God. When the heart is freed, the tongue is free also. We must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead to be saved. No confession, no salvation! If the "cat's got your tongue" the Lord doesn't.

E. The Doxology “filled…saying”
In this doxology there are 17 quotations from 7 OT books. It is quite obvious that Zechariah knew the Word of God. No wonder God chose him for this wonderful miracle. The Psalmist said, "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." That is how it worked then and now. The Word is filled with praise of Him, so if my heart it filled with the Word, my mouth is filled with praise.

F. The Destiny “grew…strong”
Here was a God trained man. He learned about spiritual warfare and worship in the wilderness. We are in public what we practice in private. Prayer and pride are mutually exclusive. We grow strong in solitude, not in society. It is no wonder he was not intimidated by man…he was intimate with God.

And so we conclude for today having seen the Background and the Birth of John the Baptizer.

PRAYER: Thank You so much Father for the way You do things. You do them decently and orderly and in YOUR time. Teach us today that Your time is equal to Your truth. We must wait patiently as You prepare, then produce.