What Shall This Child Be?

What Shall This Child Be?

Luke 1:57 – Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. 58 – Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 – On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 – But his mother replied, “No! He must be named John.”

verse 61 – They said to her, “but none of your relatives bears this name.” 62 – So they made signs to the baby’s father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. 63 – he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were amazed. 64 – Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 – All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about. 66 – All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the Lord’s hand was indeed with him.

Zechariah’s name means ‘Jehovah remembers.’  Zechariah and Elizabeth had no idea they would be parents to the child who would be the Elijah of their day, the forerunner of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  Jehovah remembered Zechariah and Elizabeth.  Jehovah remembered the Jewish nation.  Jehovah remembered the world and sent His messenger, Gabriel, with the news – Elizabeth would bear a son in her old age.  Their prayers were heard.  Prayers for a child that had long since faded into memory were now brought back to life as Elizabeth became pregnant and progressed through her pregnancy defying all science that screamed ‘this should not be happening.’ What should not be happening will indeed happen because ‘with God nothing will be impossible.’

Zechariah’s tongue loosened and he began to talk after he confirmed Elizabeth’s conviction in writing:  His name is John.  The child was to bear a new name not found in Zechariah’s family – a new branch in the family tree:  John – Jehovah is a gracious giver.  That was to be John’s life and message.  Jehovah would graciously give us the greatest gift of all in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ.  

What would John’s life be?  A courageous, faithful, life calling people to repentance getting them ready for the arrival of the Savior of the world.  Jehovah, the gracious giver, will give us Jesus Christ.