john

In the days when Herod the Great was king over Judea there lived there a priest, named Zacharias, and his wife, Elizabeth, a God-fearing couple, who were already growing old and had no children. However, the angel of the Lord, Gabriel, came to the priest in the temple at Jerusalem, and promised that they should have a son and his name shall be John.

“…Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.” (Luke 1:13-19)

“But how can I be sure the words you speak are truth,” cried out Zacharias, “my wife and I are very old, too old to have children!” Gabriel, the angel of the Lord replied to Zacharias, “As a sign to you, you will be unable to talk until the child is born and receives his name.” Zacharias left the temple and when he went before the people, he was unable to speak. He returned home and Elizabeth was soon with child as the angel of the Lord had said.

Gabriel also came to Mary, a young woman about to marry Joseph of Nazareth. It was during Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy that Gabriel greeted Mary betrothed to Joseph the carpenter saying you will have a son and you will call Him Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord will fall upon you and the child shall be called the Son of God.” Mary bowed her head before the angel answering, “I, Mary, am the humble servant of God.” The angel then told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was with child in her sixth month. After the angel left, Mary went to visit Elizabeth. After hearing the story from Mary, Elizabeth's child jumped in the womb. Elizabeth then filled with the Holy Ghost spoke to Mary saying:

“…Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” (Luke 1:42)

After hearing the words from Elizabeth Mary said:

“…My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Mary stayed with her cousin a couple more months and then left for her home. Soon after Elizabeth had her baby and her family and friends rejoiced with her and all wished to call the child Zacharias. Elizabeth shouted out, “NO! He shall be called John.” Elizabeth's family protested claiming none of their family has the name John so it should be Zacharias. The family made signs to Zacharias asking him what he desired to call the child and he wrote on a tablet:

“His name is John. And they marveled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.” (Luke 1:63-64)

John grew strong and bold in the Lord and in age and lived in the desert to gird himself strong to fulfill the prophecy of the angel Gabriel. “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) In the years that past John became known as John the Baptist and he would proclaim in the wilderness of Judea that the people must make themselves ready and reform being baptized with water by John. He also spoke of another that would come after him--some one much greater than he that would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Then one day Jesus came to John requesting to be baptized.

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)

John's public ministry continued for a time thereafter with John pointing out Jesus to the people saying, “behold the Lamb of God.” His ministry was soon brought to a stop though when he was cast into prison by Herod and eventually beheaded for standing up for what he believed to be truth.

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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