Tuesday 24 June 2014

Background

Today we mark the birth of John the Baptist. At eight days oldthe child was presented to friends and family at the home ofElizabeth and Zechariah. He is also presented to God through theceremony of circumcision.

It was the day for naming the child and traditionally the firstborn son would be named after his father or more commonly, hisgrandfather. But Elizabeth and Zechariah were very clear that thischild will be called John - a name with no family links at all. Theguests were perplexed and can't understand why Elizabeth chose thisname. They appealed to the silenced Zechariah who supported hiswife. He would have had the angel's voice ringing in his ears,"Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name himJohn" (Luke 1:13). This time Zechariah wanted to getit right and demonstrate that he now believed the message the angelbrought to him (Luke 1:5-24).

The guests were confused by the choice of name, but also admiredthe strength of the insistence of Elizabeth and Zechariah. They didnot know about the visit of the angel and the miraculousconception, but the choice of the name begins to reveal somethingof God's involvement in this child's life. The words of the angelhave come to fruition and Zechariah's curse of dumbness has come toan end. Now Zechariah believes the promise made by the angel and heblesses God (verses 68-79).

The guests were even more confused now. What was happening doesnot fit with the way a circumcision and naming ceremony usuallyunfolds. There was something special happening here, this child hada God given destiny and it was beginning to be revealed. The stagewas now fully set for John's role in the story of Jesus.

To Ponder

• The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah is often lost in thebigger story of Christmas; if you have time, read the whole ofZechariah and Elizabeth's story in Luke1. What strikes you about the story as you read at this time ofthe year?

• Why do you think the choice of name is so important?