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Luke 1:57-66
The Birth of John the Baptist 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. |
Trusting God
Have you ever been in a situation where everyone around you has doubted you, but you are certain you are doing what God has told you to do? You might have felt a little nervous, your heart may be pounding, but you know that you need to be obedient to God and not to man.
Put yourself in Elizabeth’s shoes, she had just given birth to a baby boy, which in itself was a miracle given her age, and her husband was mute. She was at her son’s circumcision and all those around her expected the baby to be named after his father, Zechariah, as would have been the tradition. Her husband wasn’t able to speak, yet she knew beyond doubt that this was not the name the Lord had asked her to give the baby. So putting aside all her nerves, fears, cultural expectations and traditions of those around her, she spoke up and said ‘No! he is to be called John’. Those around her were so shocked that they looked to the baby’s father, knowing he was mute. He signalled for a writing tablet and confirmed the baby was to be called John. As he made this act of obedience, we are told that ‘immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free’. What were the first words he uttered? Praises to God. This seemingly normal circumcision and naming ceremony was a testament to Elizabeth’s trust in God, those there were ‘filled with awe’ at what they had witnessed and went home telling everyone of the goodness of God.
Next time you feel doubt, remember the courage of Elizabeth and be obedient to what the Lord has asked you to do.
Jennie C