The Delivery in the Arrival (Luke 1:57)
It would be a very exciting time as the birth of John approached. The day of birth was the climax of the excitement.
The patience for the delivery. “Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered” (Luke 1:57). To Elisabeth and perhaps even more to Zacharias because of the judgment upon his hearing and speech, the waiting for John to be born was probably the longest nine months of their lives. God had promised, but the promise was not fulfilled until the “full time” has passed. “Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36)
The punctuality in the delivery. “Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son” (Luke 1:57). God had promised and He was not late in fulfilling His promise. It may have required patience to wait for the fulfillment of the promise, but there was no frustration from the failure to fulfill the promise. God is punctual.
The power for the delivery. “She brought forth a son” (Luke 1:57). Not only did God work miraculously for Elisabeth to conceive but He had to give her strength to give birth. At her advanced age that strength would normally not be present, but God had promised, and God enabled.
The Delight in the Arrival (Luke 1:58)
As with the birth of most children, there was considerable rejoicing in the birth of John the Baptist.
The cause of the rejoicing. “Heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:58). There was extra cause for rejoicing in this birth because a miracle from God had produced the birth. Elisabeth had been barren for many years, but now the barren bears a child. This brought joy upon joy.
The crowd in the rejoicing. “Her neighbors and her cousins … rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:58). The word translated “cousins” simply means kinfolk or relatives, as we noted earlier. Cousins may have been present, but there were more than cousins involved here. Doubtless among the neighbors and relatives were those who had heaped reproach upon Elisabeth for her barrenness. So the birth of John the Baptist was a special blessing to Elisabeth in that it stopped the painful reproach she had been experiencing for many years.
The Dispute After the Arrival (Luke 1:59–63)
In spite of the great rejoicing at the birth of John the Baptist, there arose a great dispute about the new baby.
The commemoration in the dispute. “It came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child” (Luke 1:59). A Jewish boy was circumcised the eighth day after his birth. It was a special day when friends and relatives would assemble for the occasion, and the child would be named then.
The cause of the dispute. “They called him Zacharias, after the name of his father … his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John … There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name” (Luke 1:59–61). The cause of the dispute at the time of circumcising John was the name for the baby. First, the consenses name. “They called him Zacharias” (Luke 1:59). Tradition named the first son after his father. So the consenses of those present thought that would be his name. Second, the corrected name. “Not so; but he shall be called John” (Luke 1:60). Elisabeth spoke up quickly and said that Zacharias was the wrong name; the right name was John. Third, the contested name. “They said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name” (Luke 1:61). The contesting argument was right about none of his kindred being named John, but the people were wrong in that God decided the name, not the people or consensus or tradition.
The conclusion of the dispute. “They made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table [tablet], and wrote … His name is John. And the marvelled all” Luke 1:62,63). Zacharias stopped the dispute. First, the appeal for the conclusion. “They made signs to his father, how he would have him called” (Luke 1:62). Zacharias’ unbelief left him unable to speak or hear so the people made signs to him about John’s name. Second, the agreement for the conclusion. “His name is John” (Luke 1:63). When Zacharias wrote that the babe’s name was John, that agreed with the mother and ended the dispute. Third, the amazement after the dispute. “They marvelled all” (Luke 1:63). The people were amazed at the name and that both Zacharias and Elisabeth agreed on the name in spite of Zacharias being unable to hear or to speak.
The communication after the dispute. “His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God” (Luke 1:64). When Zacharias said what the name of the babe would be, the judgment for unbelief (deafness and dumbness) ended. First, the confirmation in the communication “His tongue loosed, and he spake” (Luke 1:64). The angel Gabriel had promised that Zacharias would have this curse upon him until John was born (Luke 1:20). Zacharias’ speaking confirmed the fulfillment of that heavenly prediction. Second, the character of the communication “He spake, and praised God” (Luke 1:64). How noble that when Zacharias could again speak he honored God with his tongue. Detailed expression of that honor and praise will be seen shortly in Zacharias’ anthem. Third, the consternation of the communication. “Fear came on all that dwelt round about them” (Luke 1:65). Those who heard about the experience were affected in a great way. The fear here speaks of respect and reverence for God. The people realized that God was working mightily. They were in awe and reverence of what was occurring. Fourth, the cognizance of the communication. “All these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country” (Luke 1:65). Those who were at the circumcising/naming occasion told their neighbors all that had transpired so all were cognizant of the events. Fifth, the contemplation of the communication “They that heard them laid them up in their hearts” (Luke 1:66). The mighty working of God is the kind of information and news we need to put in our hearts and ponder rather than the trash that too often is put in our hearts and pondered. Sixth, the conclusion in the communication. “What manner of child shall this be!” (Luke 1:66). It was obvious from what the people had heard and from what they were observing in the child that John the Baptist was not the typical child. Rather they rightly saw in him something special. They had enough spiritual discernment to see God at work. Today, few ever see God working in anything.
The Development After the Arrival (Luke 1:66,80)
The report of the arrival of John is accompanied by a few concise sentences about the development of the child.
The aid in the development. “The hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66). One will not do much for God if the hand of the Lord is not upon one. The work which John the Baptist had to do required great help from God. But when God calls, God enables. Many do not perceive the need of the hand of the Lord upon them for service. They think by manipulation and clever schemes they can accomplish much for God. Scripture, however, says, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). To serve God adequately we must have Divine help.
The areas of the development. “The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel” (Luke 1:80). Three important areas of development are covered in this text. First, the physical development. “The child grew.” John developed well physically. His diet helped in this area. He did not drink strong drink (Luke 1:15). Alcohol always hurts one physically. Second, his spiritual development. “Waxed strong in spirit.” John’s spiritual growth kept pace with his physical growth. Today, however, we emphasize the physical over the spiritual and produce physical giants and spiritual pygmies. Third, his vocational development. “Was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.” Like Moses of old, John was trained in the desert for his task, and he was trained in spartan circumstances. John was no weakling.
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