“Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son."
The birth of John—he will be the forerunner to Jesus. He would be the one to lead the people to Christ, as prophesied in Malachi 3:1, just as Elijah did in Old Testament time. John, which means "Jehovah – favored," would be the one to prepare the way for Christ. Just as John is the forerunner for Jesus, we as Christians, are to be the forerunners for our children. Forerunner is the one who goes first to lead the way. God gives us His Holy Word and direction to lead our children to HIM. Do we take that responsibility, as John did, or do we take a back seat to see just what will happen?
Before we can answer that question, let’s see how God worked in Zacharias and Elizabeth’s life. In Luke 1:6-7, it states, “both were righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were well advanced in years.” They walked and lived according to God’s will for their lives, but remained childless. That doesn’t mean they never prayed for a child. In Luke 1:13, an angel appeared to Zacharias and told him his prayer had been answered—he and Elizabeth would bear a child and this child shall have the name John. He was told the child would be great in God’s sight, and that he would lead many of the children of Israel to the Lord. Now, if any of us, being well advanced in years, had an angel appear to us and tell us we would have a child, wouldn’t that seem a little skeptical to you? Well, the same thoughts went through the minds of Zacharias and Elizabeth. So the angel quieted Zacharias’ mouth, and told him he would not speak till these things came to pass. As for Elizabeth, when she realized she was pregnant, she hid herself for a time and said, “the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:25) Now came time for the birth of John. After giving birth, many rejoiced with Elizabeth and asked if his name would be Zacharias. When she said no—that his name would be John—they turned to Zacharias and asked what the child’s name would be. He wrote that his name is John. Now Scripture doesn’t say that Zacharias and Elizabeth ever discussed this name; Scripture does make clear the angel told Zacharias the child’s name would be John. At that moment, Zacharias’ mouth was loosed and he praised God, for Scripture had been fulfilled. John the Baptist was brought forth. He would be the one to lead people to Christ. He would baptize Jesus with water, and Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. We, as Christians, are given His Holy Spirit and His Holy Word to go forth as a forerunner, just as John the Baptist did for Jesus, to lead people to Christ by sharing His word to those we come into contact with. This Christmas, will you come to Christ to be a forerunner for others? Have a blessed Christmas, one and all!
~ Melody Krauser
