Luke 1: 57 – 66
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they come to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue , and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
God was merciful to Elizabeth. Mercy came in full at the birth of John. Great joy was among Elizabeth and relatives. We need to be rejoicing with others when God has blessed others. Now this can be hard for the ones that really desire to have a child but cannot. Sharing joy with others in an area that they struggle with is really hard for the one hurting. When God does a miracle in that person life, others have great joy for that person. This is what is was like for Elizabeth.
On the eighth day, they had a ceremony for John coming into the covet nation by circumcision. He was in God’s chosen family – the Israelites. Abraham was the beginning of this tradition. At the circumcision ceremony, it was also custom to name them. When Abram was circumcised God gave him a new name and they need the male children when given up to God.
Naming him John had caused a little confusion. The others thought this baby boy should be called after his father. Now in research, it was not found in scriptures of a child to be named after the father (according to my research). Somewhere from the silent years to when John was born this must have become a custom to do. The others consulted with Zechariah on the child’s name. He wrote on a tablet stating His name is John. His tongue was released for being obedient.
Where in your life to do need to trust God with? A deep desire? Don’t be blind to God giving you what you want, it may be in a way that you didn’t expect.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that as we go through this life that we are sensitive to others hopes, dreams, and desires. Let us have great joy when they have a desired fulfilled by you. This Christmas I ask that whoever has a desire that they have prayed for that you will fulfill it in your will.
In Jesus name,
Amen
