The Birth Of John The Baptist Foretold Series

Poor Zechariah! For more than four hundred years God had not said anything to his people. Now, Zechariah had just received the most fantastic news that had been heard in four hundred years and he could not share it with the people.

God was teaching Zechariah to trust him and his word. Zechariah doubted the word of God through the angel. He wanted a sign. And so God gave him a sign: he shut his mouth! In effect, God was saying, “You want a sign, Zechariah? I will give you a sign. You should take me at my word. You should trust me and my word as it came to you through my messenger. But, if you won’t believe my good news, my gospel, then I will not let you share it!”

Luke has written about Zechariah’s doubt so that we will not make the same mistake. Luke wants people to be certain about the good news of the gospel. And he wants us to take God at his word so that we can share this good news with others in our circle of contacts.

Rather anti-climatically, Luke ends the account of Zechariah’s service by stating in verse 23, “And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.”

V. The Believing Mother (1:24-25)

Finally, notice the believing mother.

Imagine what happened when Zechariah arrived home. Clearly, he was unable to speak. He was mute. However, Luke said, “After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived” (1:24a).

Interestingly, Luke noted that “for five months she kept herself hidden” (1:24b). Why was that? Luke did not say why Elizabeth kept herself hidden. Perhaps people were ridiculing her more than ever now that Zechariah was mute and unable to speak. Whatever the reason, she went into seclusion for five months.

But, we notice that she believed what God said. She said in verse 25, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” It is typical of Luke to comment what the good news meant for hurting people. Here he shows what the good news meant for Elizabeth. The good news is for the nations, but it was also for people like her—a woman upon whom God looked with grace. Her prayers were answered. Her reproach had ended. Unlike Zechariah she believed what God said. She trusted his word.

Conclusion

Therefore, having analyzed the account regarding the promise of the birth of John the Baptist as set forth in Luke 1:5-25, we should not doubt but trust God’s word.

This is what God has always wanted from people: trust. God wants us to take him at his word. God wants us to trust him. God does not want us to doubt him. God disciplined Zechariah for doubting his word.

God said that Jesus died and rose again, so believe in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

God said that he will forgive anyone who comes to him trusting in Jesus for salvation, so believe in Jesus and receive forgiveness of your sins.

God said that he will never leave or forsake you, so believe that God is with you no matter what trials or difficulties you are going through.

God said that he will send Jesus again to judge the world, so get ready for the return of Jesus by trusting in him alone as he is offered in the gospel for salvation. Amen.