John the Baptist was the herald, the forerunner, and the preparer for the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke appropriately begins his Gospel by an introduction of John the Baptist and how John the Baptist came on the earthly scene.
1. The Situation for the Announcement (Luke 1:5–7)
The situation for the announcement is summarized in two men who were extremely different in character and position.
The sovereign in the situation.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
Herod was an extremely cruel man and greatly oppressed truth and righteousness. Yet it was during his rule that John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were born. God delights to work in the darkest hours and circumstances. This should encourage the saints. It is not the condition of the circumstances that determines their prospects, but it is the power of God that determines their prospects.
The servant in the situation. “A certain priest named Zacharias” (Luke 1:5). Herod may have done well in politics, but he was not impressive to God. The man who was impressive to God was an obscure priest by the name of Zacharias.
First, the calling of the servant. “Priest” (Luke 1:5). Zacharias was from the tribe of Levi and was one of thousands of priests of Judaism. Many of the priests of Israel were not good men, but Zacharias was. Just because most people have become corrupt does not mean that you have to be corrupt.
Second, the course of the servant. “Of the course of Abia” (Luke 1:5). This refers to the organization of the priests started in the time of David the king to accommodate the great number of priests by having a rotating schedule of duty in the Temple (duty based on the Tabernacle duties) so all priests would eventually have a time of duty in the Temple.
Third, the companion of the servant. “His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth” (Luke 1:5). Zacharias abided by the laws of Moses and married a girl of the tribe of Levi.
Fourth, the character of the servant. “They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). This was a great couple. Both were righteous and it was not just a show before man but it was “before God.” The word “blameless” does not mean sinless perfection but indicates they were faithful. Their godliness was not just a Sabbath show but it was all the time.
Fifth, the childlessness of the servant. “They had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years” (Luke 1:7). This was their heavy trial. Barrenness was a real stigma in those days, and the fact that they were both old said this barrenness had no hope humanly of ending. This is another bleak aspect of the situation that shows God delights and is able to do great things in spite of difficult situations.
2. The Serving at the Announcement (Luke 1:8,9)
“It came pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course … according to the custom … to burn incense” (Luke 1:8,9).
It was while Zacharias did his duty that he heard the good news that he would have a son. If you want special blessing from God, be faithful to your duty. The lazy and slothful are shut out of these blessings.
3. The Supplication Before the Announcement (Luke 1:10)
“The whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense” (Luke 1:10).
When the priest took the incense inside the Temple, the people came near and prayed. It was while they were praying that heaven announced the coming of John the Baptist. The multitude praying at the Temple is certainly not characteristic of our churches today. Our church people prefer to play instead of pray.
4. The Seraphim With the Announcement (Luke 1:11,12)
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
The announcement of the coming of John the Baptist was made by an angel whose name was “Gabriel” (Luke 1:19).
A. The appearing of the seraphim.
“There appeared unto him an angel of the Lord” (Luke 1:11).
This was a very special spiritual blessing and privilege.
First, the suddenness of the appearing.
“There appeared unto him an angel of the Lord” (Luke 1:11).
Suddenly right before Zacharias’ eyes appeared an angel. It would be a real surprise as such an appearance was not anticipated. God speaks to us at times when we are least expecting it. Therefore, we should always be in a state of devotion to God, so when He speaks we can listen intently.
Second, the site of the appearing.
“Standing on the right side of the altar of incense” (Luke 1:12).
The altar of incense stood right before the curtain through which one went into the Holy of Holies. The angel was in a very sacred location for this revelation.
B. • The affright of the seraphim.
“When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him” (Luke 1:12).
There was no arrogant disrespect here by Zacharias. He was a holy man and the presence of a spiritual being greatly moved him. In our land today there is so much disrespect of the sacred that profaneness is practically a lifestyle of many.
5. The Specifics in the Announcement (Luke 1:13–17)
The angel had plenty to say. We examine the recorded specifics of the announcement about John.
A. The command in the specifics.
“Fear not” (Luke 1:13).
This was needed for the previous verse described Zacharias as being in a state of great fear. This is one of those commands that illustrates the fact that many commands seem impossible to obey, but we can be sure if God commands, He will enable.
B. The confirming in the specifics.
“Thy prayer is heard” (Luke 1:13).
Zacharias and Elisabeth had prayed much about her barrenness. Many prayers take much time to be answered. We need patience when we pray. Delay does not necessarily mean denial. Keep praying.
C. The child in the specifics.
“Bear thee a son” (Luke 1:13).
The announcement from the angel was primarily about a child for Zacharias and Elisabeth.
First, the mother of the child. “Thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son” (Luke 1:13). There is both morality and might here. If anyone but Elisabeth bears a child to Zacharias, morals have been greatly defiled. Furthermore, Elisabeth bearing the child at her age shows the great might of God.
Second, the maleness of the child. “Bear thee a son” (Luke 1:13). There is no neuter gender here. The child was to be a male, not a female or an “it”.
Third, the moniker of the child. “Thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:13). The name John means “Jehovah is gracious.” The name emphasizes the grace of God. The coming of John and of Jesus both emphasized grace.
1. The cheer in the specifics.
“Thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14).
Not only would the parents have joy from John’s birth but so would many others. This announcement is certainly not hard to believe.
2. The compliment in the specifics.
“He shall be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15).
John was going to be somebody great. He would be no ordinary person.
· First, the character of the greatness.
“Great in the sight of the Lord.”
Hollywood and other worldly honors would not come his way, but that did not mean he was not great. Being great in the sight of the Lord is true greatness. Many folk called “great” today are not great in the sight of the Lord.
· Second, the cause of the greatness.
The world will have a hard time discerning how John could be great, for John never wrote a book, was never on radio or TV, was not a world traveler, never went to college, never held high office in government, never achieved in sports, never owned a home or car, did not have a bank account, his ministry lasted only six months, he died in ignominy, and he was not given an honorable, well-attended funeral. Yet he was great. Obviously there are other causes for greatness (such as devotion to Christ and His Word) than what the world thinks brings greatness.
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