Scripture: “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” – Luke 1:5
Observation: Zacharias was one of the Levitical priests, and it was his time to go into the temple to burn incense to God. While he was by the altar of incense, an angel of the Lord appeared and told him that he and Elisabeth would have a son. This is unusual because both Zacharias and Elisabeth were elderly… well beyond childbearing years. However, their promised son, John, would be the cousin of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Application: God had a specific role for John beyond being just the cousin of Jesus. John, the forerunner of God’s precious Son, was tasked with preparing the people for the arrival of the Messiah. He knew the hearts of the people had to be receptive, and thus he preached repentance and baptism. He preached fervently, striving to prepare the people for the ministry of Jesus. John 1:23 records the Baptizer’s words, “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” John was called by God for this very special role in the coming of the Messiah.
John was also the fulfillment of prophecy. Malachi 3:1 states, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”
We share two similarities with John the Baptist. First, like John, God has a specific plan for all of us. When we yield to His will, that plan unfolds, and God leads us through life accomplishing His purpose through us. Secondly, we are to tell others about Jesus. John did that constantly! Day after day, he preached, regardless of what others thought about him; he was focused on doing the will of God. He was completely surrendered to the will of God, and his focus was on the work God called him to do. Make ready the people!
This Christmas season is a time for us to reflect on the Lord Jesus Christ and what His birth means for us. Through prayer and Bible study, we can learn more of God, be drawn closer to Him, and daily surrender ourselves to His will for our lives. Christmas time is also the time to be ready to share Christ with others whenever God provides the opportunity because it is a time when the hearts of people are more receptive to the gospel. Let us determine to be more like John… proclaiming the good news of the gospel for it is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16)! Let us boldly remind others that Jesus is coming again, and it might even be today! Let us make ready the people!!
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for John the Baptist and the example he is to me. He was a very faithful servant of Yours and proclaimed the importance of repentance to everyone he encountered. O God, give me a boldness like John to share Jesus with others more faithfully. Use me as You will, and help me to be pliable clay in Your hands. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to ev'ry land, climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! 'tis our Lord's command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
(from “Jesus Saves” by Priscilla J. Owens)
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“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” – Isaiah 40:3