"Can you believe it?" "Breaking tradition!" "How can they do a thing like that!" And so the buzz scattered from town to town.
Zechariah & Elizabeth were about to have a son. Zechariah didn't believe it when he was first told the news he would have a son. In order to prove to Zechariah that this was indeed God's plan for them, the angel declared that Zechariah would not be able to speak until the son was born. "Oh, by the way, you are to give him the name John." I wonder what rumours spread around the countryside about this priest having lost his voice?
The day came when the son was born. It was time to name the baby, and the custom was to name him after his father. But no, Elizabeth wanted to name him John! Are you kidding me? What was she implying? What would Zechariah think about this? They all look at Zechariah, and what do you know, he finally talks and blurts out "his name is John."
Big news!
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbours 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. (Reading from Luke 1:57-80)
Not only did Zechariah speak, but he broke into song - a new song.
Tom Wright encourages us to ask these questions of God... "Lord, where do I fit into this new picture? What task have you prepared for me? Where can I bring hope to the fearful, and daylight into darkness?"
Zechariah & Elizabeth were about to have a son. Zechariah didn't believe it when he was first told the news he would have a son. In order to prove to Zechariah that this was indeed God's plan for them, the angel declared that Zechariah would not be able to speak until the son was born. "Oh, by the way, you are to give him the name John." I wonder what rumours spread around the countryside about this priest having lost his voice?
The day came when the son was born. It was time to name the baby, and the custom was to name him after his father. But no, Elizabeth wanted to name him John! Are you kidding me? What was she implying? What would Zechariah think about this? They all look at Zechariah, and what do you know, he finally talks and blurts out "his name is John."
Big news!
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbours 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. (Reading from Luke 1:57-80)
Not only did Zechariah speak, but he broke into song - a new song.
Tom Wright encourages us to ask these questions of God... "Lord, where do I fit into this new picture? What task have you prepared for me? Where can I bring hope to the fearful, and daylight into darkness?"
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