Who is John?
In this article we are going to take a look at the life of John especially His conception and birth. Was there any prophecy concerning this great child of God? Follow me as we open our Big Book of Wisdom to Malachi 3:1 which says; “Behold I sent My Messenger and he will prepare the way before Me…..
Isaiah 40:3 also stated his functions saying “The voice of one crying in the wilderness – prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. These were prophecies stating his functions when he will be born. Don’t forget to read to the end about this great messenger of God.
Let’s also see the account given by St. Luke’s Gospel concerning his conception and birth Chapter 1:5-35, 57 -80 (paraphrased in some cases). ” There was a priest named Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. The Bible said both were righteous and walking blameless in all commandments and ordinances of the Lord but they were childless and of great age i.e. advanced in age. So it was that it was his turn to perform his priestly role and he went into the Holy of Holies to burn incense. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar and when Zachariah saw him; he was afraid an troubled but the angel of the Lord said to him; Do not be afraid Zachariah for your prayer is heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall call his name John.
Any one reading this story that is facing any condition of no return or hope; brace up because there is hope even in the darkest moments of our lives. God is always at the scene of our lives taking control of those situations. He did it for Sarah at 90 now we are seeing Elizabeth going to experience the manifestation and completeness of the goodness of God in her life.
And so it was. The angel continued by saying; “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from His mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedience to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias asked how he was going to know all that the angel has spoken due to his age and that of his wife. But the angel said to him; “I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God and I was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.
We can see from the passage that although Zacharias was a priest in the house of God; there was doubt and unbelief in him hence he was made dumb by the angel. Let’s remove doubt and unbelief in our lives. i know it is difficult to believe what he was hearing judging from his age and that of his wife; and maybe he was not expecting God to appear to him at that time and physically too, and he might have so many things ruminating in his head and mind at that time. He may also think that the God that did it for Abraham his father is no more appearing or answering to such prayers. I really don’t know why the doubt if he has been praying for the gift of a child and God decided to surprise him at his old age and that of his wife’s age. God is still performing these wonders even today so keep faith and keep believing in the Lord’s miraculous work all the time.
Because this could be you and it could be me; unbelief and doubt could rob us of our blessings that have been packaged to be delivered to us so let’s be expectant of our Angel Gabriel at anytime because our glad tidings have been given to him and he will soon visit our situations by the power of the Most High God- Amen.
Note that at this time people were waiting in the temple and they began to wonder what could be keeping the priest this long but when he finally came out he couldn’t speak to them but only made signs to them and they perceived he must have seen a vision while there. After his assignments were over, he went home and his wife became pregnant but she hid herself for five months saying “Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me to take away my reproach among people. Whatever is bringing reproach to your life – the Lord will send His angels to announce your blessings that will turn things around you.
Just don’t doubt, don’t give up on Him but believe in His promises. He is too faithful to fail us (See my write up on Don’t give Up on God but Believe). When Elizabeth was six months old in her pregnancy we can see the same angel Gabriel giving Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus her own portion of the glad tidings and her response was; Behold I am the Lord’s maidservant let it be according to your word (v.38). During that period he told Mary how Elizabeth her cousin that was known to be barren is heavy with child for 6 months. He told Mary that with God nothing is impossible.
As Mary heard this good news about Elizabeth, she went to visit her and as soon as she heard Mary’s greetings, she claimed that the baby in her womb leaped for joy and both women poured praises to God for visiting His people once more by sending these two great children to deliver all his people.
And the time came and Elizabeth gave birth to her son and he was named John according to the pronouncement of God. And on the eight day he was circumcised and named John then Zacharias’ mouth loosened from the dumbness and he started Praising God and also prophesied. The Bible said the hand of the Lord was upon the child.
From above too we can see the story surrounding the conception and birth of John. In subsequent articles their functions, suffering and death will be treated. Note that we are taking a biblical walk through the lives of two great men or children of God discussed in the New Testament.
Don’t forget to Join Me to explore your life’s hidden talents and potentials here. Your questions, suggestions and comments will be highly appreciated. If this article lift your spirit, feel to drop me your comments and I will gladly respond to you.
Cheers
LJacob.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SECTION
Bible students/readers be ready to respond to questions in this section.
- Who are the two most powerful men of God recorded in the New Testament? (Ans: Jesus and John the Baptist)
- Why are they regarded as such by this author? (Ans: Because their conceptions and birth were a miraculous one specially designed by God)
- When Mary was given the good news of carrying God’s son; did she believe what was told her? (Ans: Yes, because she said; She is the maidservant of the Lord, let it be according to His word)
- Why was Zacharias the priest dumb? (Ans. Because he doubted the angel and never believe that at their age they could have a child)
- The statement “For with God nothing will be impossible” was made by who and to whom? (Ans: The Angel to the Virgin Mary).
Thanks for sticking with me to this point. Don’t forget we have a lot about these two great men coming soon. Stay connected to this site getwisdoms.com and be blessed. And please drop your comments and Join this great body and explore the opportunities in it to transform your life through educating your self technologically and you will be glad you did it.
LJacob