Honoring God
David Honors God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Building God's House
Luke 1:57-66 New International Version
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 a,nd 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.
For Reflection
God has always done the unexpected. John was born to a barren woman. His aged parents were of the priestly class. John, whose name meant Johovia is Gracious, grew up in a devout family. John's role was prophesied by Isaiah and Malichi to prepare the way for the Messiah.
One might expect that. John would be a spiritual leader but not in the manner that John portrayed. A recluse, he lived in the wasteland, dressed in the roughest cloth, eating what he could forage looking more like a beggar than a priest. John stood in bold relief to the wealthy, indulgent Jewish priestly class. John was a walking sermon preparing the way for one who was not a warrior who would restore Israel to its full political strength, but one who was to upset the Jew's religious customs, praxis, and institution.
Pray
Pray and look for the unexpected Jesus. Pray and hear the message of the gospel that others are incapable of understanding. Pray and see the wonders of God's creation that others cannot see.
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