Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 1:57-80 "THE BIRTH OF A BABY BOY"
Day 23 – Luke 1
Text: Luke 1:57-80
THE BIRTH OF A BABY BOY
The news of how God’s mercy was shown to Zacharias and Elizabeth spread through the neighbourhood! But of course, it had to be the great grace and mercy of God that had been bestowed upon the childless couple!
The sense of anticipation must have been very great. Many things can go wrong in a pregnancy! With Elizabeth as old as she was, there was even greater danger (We would have to appreciate Luke’s interest from the medical standpoint) at delivery!
Then there was the news that the baby would be a son! How could there be such a sense of certainty? Then came the birth of the baby. Everything was as the angel had said. Elizabeth would have a baby, and that little child would be a son! Both mother and child were well!
“When her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:58). This verse well sums up the tremendous sense of joy that was felt with and for Elizabeth! What a strong spirit of community she and Zacharias enjoyed with their neighbours and relatives!
THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION
The rite of circumcision was practiced from the time of Abraham. Circumcision was the special sign given by God Himself to all male children. The rite of Circumcision was a sign given to Abraham and his descendants as a sign of the Covenant that God had established.
Circumcision was also used as the occasion when the parents named the child. A slight tussle began when the community of relatives and friends tried to pressure Elizabeth to name the baby after Zacharias! The community that rejoiced with Elizabeth was now pressuring her to do what they thought was the right thing to do.
It seemed the most natural and logical thing to name the baby Zacharias. He would carry on the family’s name. Zacharias was already quite old, and surely this gift of a baby boy must have been for the sake of Elizabeth and Zacharias to be sure that they can have posterity!
However, the community did not know that the angel Gabriel had already given a name to the Baby! Neither did they know that this Baby was given to Zacharias and Elizabeth for a special purpose, but that purpose did not include extending the family tree!
A PROTEST OF FAITH
Elizabeth must have been told by Zacharias (through writing) that their son was to be called John! Both being righteous and blameless, they would have decided that they would obey the voice of the angel Gabriel. Zacharias had already been put under discipline for the last nine months! The last thing they wanted to do would be to disobey the angel Gabriel one more time! Elizabeth protested against the strong opinion of the relatives and neighbours.
Seeing that they could not get Elizabeth to comply, the crowd turned to Zacharias, and asked him to give a name to the Baby. Of course they expected Zacharias to agree with them. After all, which father would not want a child to be named after him?
Zacharias was still not able to speak at that time! He asked for a writing tablet, and he wrote clearly that the baby’s name would be called “John” . Zacharias was in complete agreement with Elizabeth. Both of them resisted the pressure from their well-meaning relatives and neighbours!
“IMMEDIATELY HIS MOUTH WAS OPENED… AND HE SPOKE… PRAISING GOD”
Luke 1:64
The faith of Zacharias finally shone through! He had nine long months when he must have reproached himself many times for having had such a weak faith in the promise of God given to him by none other than the angel Gabriel! If he had a second chance, he would make amends.
Zacharias was given a second chance. He seized the opportunity to express his faith and his desire to obey all that the angel Gabriel had spoken. It was their privilege to have the angel name the child! Being deeply instructed, Zacharias would understand what is the significance of the angel of God naming the child. It meant “ownership”. It meant that the child belonged to God in a special way! The child belonged to God from birth. The child was not born for the purpose of carrying on the Zacharias’ family name! He was born for an even higher purpose. He would be the special servant of the Messiah. He would be the forerunner!
The full obedience of Zacharias also saw him released from nine terrible months of being unable to speak at all, except through the use of the writing tablet! It is not insignificant that his first words were directed to God. His heart was so full… but not because he had a son to carry in his arms. His heart was full of praise for God!
IF YOU HAD A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE…
Many of us have blown away many opportunities in the past to obey the Lord. Sometimes, “second chances” are hard to come by.
However, if you had “a second chance”, to exercise faith, and to practise full obedience to God, how would you respond? Would you throw away that second chance? Would you squander away the second chance?
Would you seize the second chance and make sure that you fully obey the Lord this time round? Zacharias did the right thing. It was probably not easy to say “NO” to all his well-meaning relatives and friends. Nevertheless, obedience to God was placed at the highest possible level. He chose to obey God rather than listen to strong public opinion! God is always pleased with us when we choose to fully obey Him. May we always do that!