LW Baptist
By Rolland Coburn
Pastor
Christmas tells the story of how Christ came from glory to enter our world as a real human baby, born of a virgin,he grew up with normal human development in a world of sin and pain. A Gospel song recalls, “Out of the ivory palaces into a world of woe, only his great eternal love made my Savior go.” Another rejoices, “I love to tell the story of unseen things above/of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love/I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true/It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.” The second half of the first chapter in the Gospel of Luke continues the story.
Mary, once she heard and agreed to God’s plan for her to be the mother of Messiah Jesus, hurried 100 miles south from Nazareth to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was in her sixth month of pregnancy with John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. The angel Gabriel had given both women their birth announcements, and they shared their stories of God’s love. It was a fellowship of faith from the moment Mary entered Elizabeth’s house, and Elizabeth greeted her as “the mother of my Lord.” The Holy Spirit filled them each with joy and even baby John in the womb jumped for joy (verses 39-45).
Mary’s joy was so great she burst out in praise to God. Put to music, her song is called the Magnificat, meaning magnifies, and says: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices over God my savior.” She rejoices that her salvation is in God and brings him thanksgiving for his mercy to her. She points to how God fills with good things those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, so they are abundantly satisfied. The two women visit, dwelling on God’s goodness together for three months until Elizabeth’s son is born, the announcer of the king Messiah.
Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives, knowing God’s remarkable mercy to the older couple, came to rejoice with them at the birth. On the eighth day, at his circumcision, they wanted to name him Zacharias, after his father. But Elizabeth said no, he shall be called John, meaning “Jehovah is gracious.” They objected that no family member had that name and motioned for Zacharias to decide. Remember, Zacharias could not speak at the time, so to communicate he wrote, “His name is John,” astonishing the well-wishers. At once, the Lord restored his speech. He began praising God. Awe-struck at God’s work, people spread the news throughout the Judean hills. They kept asking, “What will this boy become, since God’s mighty hand is upon his life?” (verses 57-66).
The Holy Spirit moved Zacharias by inspiration, to tell how the prophets of old foretold the Gospel story. Zacharias blesses God for now visiting and providing redemption, salvation from sin through the Savior about to be born, fulfilling the promises to King David 1,000 years prior and to Abraham 2,000 years before. Speaking to baby John, Zacharias told him he would be the Lord’s prophet and go before him to announce his coming as the sunrise from on high. Luke concludes by telling us the child John continued to grow, becoming strong in spirit, living in the deserts until his public ministry to Israel, announcing Jesus the Messiah (verses 67-80).
