1. • The consuming in the specifics.
“Shall drink neither wine nor strong drink” (Luke 1:15).
This had a lot to do with his greatness. Booze and greatness before God do not mix.
2. • The capability in the specifics.
“He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).
John was given Divine enablement from the very beginning which was necessary for his ministry.
3. • The conversions in the specifics.
“Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16).
This is another aspect of his greatness. In contrast, many folk turn people against God and against holy living.
4. • The comparison in the specifics.
“He shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias [Elijah]” (Luke 1:17).
John the Baptist was like Elijah of the Old Testament. Like Elijah, he had a spartan, earnest, and bold spirit, and he was despised by the rulers of the day. Jezebel and Ahab were enemies of Elijah and Herod and Herodias were enemies of John the Baptist.
5. • The changes in the specifics.
“Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just” (Luke 1:17).
John’s ministry will affect some wonderful changes in the lives of many people.
6. • The consequences in the specifics.
“To make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).
The great purpose of John’s ministry was to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3; cp. Luke 3:4–6). John was the herald of Jesus Christ and prepared a people to receive the Lord.
6. The Skepticism About the Announcement (Luke 1:18–23)
The angel’s announcement was greeted with skepticism. Unbelief dominated the reception of the announcement.
A. • The person with unbelief.
“Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years” (Luke 1:18).
Unbelief shows up in surprising places. Unbelief is not only caused by doubts of the great truths of the Word of God but also by discouragement, as was the case here.
B. • The presumption of unbelief.
“Whereby shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18).
Zacharias’ skepticism is often mistakenly compared to Mary’s question to the same angel after he had announced the coming of Christ to her. But the two questions are as different as day and night. Zacharias’ question asked for evidence that it would happen. Mary’s “How shall this be” (Luke 1:34) asked for an explanation of how it would occur. Zacharias was accused of unbelief; Mary was said to believe (Luke 1:45). Unbelief often disguises itself to look like faith.
C. • The perspective of unbelief.
“For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years” (Luke 1:18).
Zacharias in his unbelief focused on his dire circumstances rather than on the dynamic power of God. Like the ten spies Moses sent to spy out Canaan, Zacharias looked only at man instead of at God.
D. • The proof for unbelief.
“The angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings” (Luke 1:19).
Zacharias had proof for faith right before his eyes in the angel. Unbelief can be very blind to the obvious.
E. • The penalty for unbelief.
“Thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak … because thou believest not my words” (Luke 1:20).
First, the dumbness in the penalty. The penalty also included deafness (cp. Luke 1:62). Heaven does not think well of unbelief—you cannot please God with unbelief (Hebrews 11:6).
Second, the duration of the penalty.
“Until the day that these things shall be performed” (Luke 1:20).
No one wanted the birth of John the Baptist to come more than Zacharias, for that would end his chastening from God.
Third, the disabling in the penalty.
“Thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak … when he came out, he could not speak unto them … he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless” (Luke 1:20,22).
The penalty for unbelief disabled Zacharias in his serving. He was unable to communicate to the people. Unbelief disables service. Zacharias departed for home still deaf and dumb (Luke 1:23).
7. The Secrecy After the Announcement (Luke 1:24,25)
“Elisabeth … hid herself five months” (Luke 1:24).
For five months Elizabeth stayed out of the public eye.
A. The conception for the secrecy.
“Elisabeth conceived” (Luke 1:24).
The conception is what caused Elisabeth to keep herself out of the eye of the public.
B. The cause for the secrecy.
“Hid herself five months” (Luke 1:24).
Why would Elisabeth hide herself five months? The answer is that she wanted to enjoy the lack of reproach (Luke 1:25) from the moment she was aware she was pregnant. She would not have been able to do that had she been in public. For the first few months, no one would have suspected her pregnancy, so her reproach would still have been present. But after five months, her pregnancy would be evident so she could come out in public. The stigma of barrenness was a very great burden in those days which explains Elisabeth’s actions.[1]
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