The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
Open Your Bible
Luke 1:5-25, Malachi 3:1-4
BY Kristie Anyabwile
Section 3: The Light Dawns
During the time of King Herod, Zechariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth were “righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord” (Luke 1:6). They obeyed God. They demonstrated their faith through service. Yet, they struggled with infertility. They prayed for years for a child.
They understood unfulfilled longing. And God’s people understood unfulfilled longing as well. They had been waiting for God’s promise of a Redeemer.
Then, in God’s providence, Zechariah was chosen to serve in the temple, and the angel Gabriel brings him amazing news that his years of waiting would be met with a son. This child’s life had been ordained by God hundreds of years earlier to fulfill another longing.
Malachi prophesied the birth of this child, John the Baptist, calling him the messenger who would clear the way for another Messenger. John the Baptist’s birth was a divinely orchestrated foil, used by God to reignite remembrance and longing in the hearts of God’s people for the day of the Messiah’s coming.
Advent is a time of remembering that God keeps His promises, and that His promises are not dependent on the righteousness of His people but on the righteousness of His Son. His promises are not dependent on the obedience and faithfulness of the priests, but on the obedience and faithfulness of Christ.
The longings of Zechariah and Elizabeth for a son were not unmet. And Israel’s longing would be fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of righteousness who would rise with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2). The joy and delight that Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced in the birth of their son would be shared by many because of his miraculous birth, but there would be greater rejoicing over the miraculous birth of the One who was coming, of whom John came to testify.
May this Advent season remind us that although God does not give us every earthly longing or desire, we can draw encouragement knowing that our most pressing longings have been satisfied in Christ.
76 thoughts on "The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold"
-
I am thinking a lot about Elizabeth and Zechariah today and seeing so much of God’s kindness, in how even though he is writing his story (history) he cares about and loves all these characters and their stories too
-
Thank you for this. I didn’t go on to finish the devotional as it began with false information so I didn’t trust the rest of what the writer had to say
-
Can you give a better explanation of why you chose this wording though? Because it’s still incorrect. Herod may have been reigning but he wouldn’t kill any baby boys until after Jesus was born. I’m having a hard time wanting to read anymore of the devotional due to the fact it begins with incorrect information
-
And after Jesus was born, John would be about six months old. John was most definitely in the range of Herods vengence. There is no incorrect information.
-
-
I never considered the timing in this way before! Zechariah and Elizabeth finally got the blessing they had longed for and then after Jesus was born, Herod ordered all babies two and under to be killed. It had to be hard not to give in to a paralyzing fear of losing him, but rather believe that the God who brought John miraculously into the world could/would protect him, too. This is convicting and challenging to me – will I trust God with the beautiful gifts He brings?
-
Good morning shes. As I read through these posts I’m praying for each prayer requests and praising Gods for being faithful to keep His promises.
-
Wow. Struggling with loneliness this Christmas season and God keeps reminding me that my truest and deepest desire – being known and fully loved by Him – has already been met. Thankful for this truth again today.
-
I’m so thankful for this study. This study keeps me grounded in The true meaning of Christmas, instead of all of the other distracting details. I was feeling a little stressed out this morning, thinking of all the things that need to be done. I love that I can just sit in his presence during this devotional time and remember what truly matters❤️
-
I love that God’s promises aren’t dependent on how holy and righteous we are; they are dependent on how holy and righteous God is.
Post Comments (76)