Something to Talk About

The Passage

Luke 1:57-66 NKJV

 "57 Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John."

61 But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him."

Some Explanation

When Gabriel, the mighty angel who stands before God, announced to the elderly Zacharias that he was to have a son, Gabriel told him that he would have joy and gladness and that many would rejoice at his birth. (vs. 14, 58) He also told Zacharias to name the baby John.  Even though Zacharias could not talk, he at least was able to find a way to communicate to Elizabeth to name the baby John.  Of course, it was naturally expected that Zacharias would name this long awaited baby after himself, after all, Zacharias means “God remembers”.  Surely God had remembered Zacharias and Elizabeth. But Zacharias had learned his lesson from the angel. Still mute after eight days, when the baby’s name was declared “John” at the circumcision, meaning “The Lord is gracious,” Zacharias was immediately able to speak and to praise God.

Observations and Insights

Verse 65 tells us that “...fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.”  This kind of "fear" is not of dread, but of a reverential state of awe of God and what He had done.  It caused those who heard about what had happened to remember John’s birth.  They knew that he would have a unique and special life.  They saw that the Lord was with him.  John’s life was watched.  Zacharias and Elizabeth had a great responsibility in raising John separated unto the Lord.  The description of John’s life in verse 15 suggests that he may have been raised as a Nazarite.  A Nazarite was one who would take a vow of separation by refraining from wine or strong drink; he would not cut his hair, and would not touch a corpse.  (Numbers 6:1-21).  He was to be set apart unto the Lord or “holy” for a set amount of time.  Some were Nazarites for their entire lifetime.  John was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15) and set apart for the purpose of preparing the people for the coming of Jesus.
  He was empowered by the Holy Spirit for this calling.

If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we are called to follow Him as a disciple.  The Lord calls all His sheep to be holy, set apart, to Him (1 Peter 1:15, 16) and to pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14).  Our lives will be watched.  We'll probably be talked about.  In fact, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us,  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people [peculiar people (KJV)], that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  Like John, believers are also filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is through the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to pursue a life that is set apart to Him. 
Next:     Luke 1:67-80