He shall be called John

Parents have the right and responsibility to name their children. Sometimes children are named after their parents or grandparents, sometimes after friends of the parents, sometimes after famous people. In some cultures, grandparents are offended if their names are not handed down to grandchildren. Zacharias and Elizabeth had been many years without a child, and family and friends thought the baby should be named after his father.

Luke 1:57-80

• Delivery day was a time of rejoicing for everyone present (v. 58).
• Elizabeth knew that the boy should not be named after his father (v. 59-60).
• Zacharias, who hadn’t spoken since the announcement of the baby’s coming, wrote his wishes and the observers were amazed that he agreed with his wife against calling the baby after his father (v. 62-63).
• Immediately Zacharias’ ability to speak returned (v. 64) and he praised God to the further amazement of those standing by.
• Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zacharias prophesied (v. 67). Remember: filled to speak.
• Blessed be God because:
  • He redeemed His people (v. 68).
  • He brought a savior through the house of David (v. 69).
  • He kept His promises made through the prophets (v. 70-73).
  • He makes us holy and enables us to serve Him (v. 74-75).
• Zacharias recognized:
  • that John would prepare the way for the Messiah (v. 76.
  • And that John would preach about sin and salvation (v. 77).
  • And that John would preach about a merciful God (v. 78).
  • And that the Savior would bring light and peace into a dark and troubled world (v. 79).
• The baby grew physically and spiritually in relative obscurity for many years (v. 80).

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Mary’s Magnificat

Although many people wrongly believe that the virgin Mary was without sin, some believing that she was born without sin, our reading for today shows that she did not profess to be sinless. Hear her own words magnifying the Lord as she rejoices in her savior.

Luke 1:46-56

• Magnify (v. 46). We use magnifiers to help us see things. Sometimes we need help in examining small details; and sometimes we want to see things that with an unaided eye we could never see. When Mary magnifies the Lord she is making it easier for everyone to see how great God is. In reality, we can only magnify God with our words.
• God my savior (v. 47). Sinless folk have no need of a savior.
• Reasons Mary praised God:
  • He took notice of her low estate (v. 48).
  • He gave her notoriety in all future generations (v. 48).
  • He has performed a miracle in her (v. 49).
  • His name is holy (v. 49).
  • He is merciful (v. 50).
  • He has conquered sin (v. 51-52).
  • He has fed the hungry (v. 53).
  • He has helped Israel (v. 54).
  • He has kept his promise to Abraham (v. 55).
• Three months (v. 56). Mary stayed with Elizabeth until the birth of John. Was she present for the birth? We don’t know.

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A bouncing (unborn) baby boy

While many argue about when life begins, Christians should be interested to know when spiritual life begins.

Psychologists and child development experts are learning more about the effects of pre-natal experiences and environment on the subsequent life of a child. Perhaps they would do well to consider the case of Elizabeth’s unborn son.

Luke 1:39-45

• With haste, Mary went to tell Elizabeth (v. 39). Wouldn’t you?
• Upon hearing the announcement, Elizabeth’s unborn babe leaped in her womb (v. 41, 44)-for JOY. Not only is the movement of the child in the womb directly related to the announcement of the coming of the savior, the reason for that movement is not mere physical response but an emotional response.
• Filled to speak (v.41-42). Most often in scripture, when one is filled with the Spirit, it isn’t long before that person begins to speak about God.
• Clearly Elizabeth understood and believed all that Mary had related (v. 43, 45).

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Jesus of Nazareth

If you’ve ever wondered why “Jesus of Nazareth” was so often used to reference Him who was born in Bethlehem of Judea, today’s lesson will give you the answer.

Further, you will discover the Bible teaching that Jesus was born of a virgin.

Luke 1:26-38

• Sixth month (v. 26, 36). Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant when Mary came to announce her own pregnancy. Therefore, John the Baptist was about 6 months older than Jesus.
• Nazareth of Galilee (v. 26). Joseph, of the house of David (v. 27). You will recall that Joseph and Mary went to Judea to pay taxes, according to their family tree and that Jesus was born while they were on that trip which began in Nazareth, the place where they lived.
• A virgin espoused (v.27) who never “knew” a man (v. 34). Humanly speaking, without a man no woman can become pregnant. But, with God nothing is impossible (v. 37).
• He shall reign (v. 33) without end. Isaiah had predicted a coming Messiah King (Isaiah 9); and Mary’s son who will be the Son of God (v. 35) is to be that King. Move over, Herod.
• From “No way!” to “OK” (v. 38).

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