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And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, ‘His name is John.’ And they were astonished. And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. Fear came on all those living around them, and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.

All who heard them kept them in mind saying, ‘what then will this child turn out to be?’ For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

Everyone is Talking About It!

The last prophecy of the Old Testament predicted the coming of Elijah as a forerunner of the Christ. As we consider the birth of John and the passage before us, God has been silent for over 400 years. Now, the stories being spread about the birth of John are stirring up a lot of excitement.

Fear came on all those living around them, and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.

Perhaps, some of the murmurs were something like; could this be what the prophet Malachi spoke? Could this be a sign of the coming of the Lord? Is the Great Day of the Lord near?

Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord, Malachi 4:5.

The Buzz

What’s causing all the buzz in the Judean hill country? What are the rumors being spread?

• A priest named Zacharias came out of the temple unable to speak. His face and hand motions made it clear that something amazing happened to him.

• Zacharias’ wife Elizabeth became pregnant in her old age. Impossible!
• When the baby was born, the parents named him John even though there were no relatives named John. They named him John because an angel told them to. That’s crazy!
• Eight days after the baby was born, the father was able to talk again after being mute for over nine months. The things he said about seeing and hearing from an angel are extraordinary.
• Zacharias said that the angel prophesied that the son born will be like Elijah. He will be the forerunner of the Messiah.
• The people said, what then will this child turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him, 1:66b.
• Nothing has happened like this in hundreds of years! Could this be…? Could this be…? Could this be…?

The Role of John

The buzz was actually legitimate. Something amazing is happening! John was born in the spirit of the bold and uncompromising prophet Elijah! The angel Gabriel said about John; It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, Luke 1:17a. Gabriel paraphrased the final words of Malachi from the final prophecy of the Old Testament. The talk of these words is spreading like wildfire.

John’s calling is to make ready a people prepared for the Lord, Luke 1:17b.

In terms of biblical and historical significance, John played a vital and critical role within the redemptive plan of God. In terms of our devotional consideration of John, John is an example and encouragement for us to surrender our lives to God and follow His calling upon us.

Let us learn from John the following:

• The Spirit of God was upon him. Pray that God’s work of grace and power of the Holy Spirit would be upon you; lavished upon; poured over you.
• John followed the calling of God upon his life. He fulfilled his ministry calling. Are you serving God according to gifts He’s given you, and upon the path He has led you towards?
• Let your words be simple and clear such as John; repent, and turn to God.
• Walk in humble devotion and service to Jesus. As John says, we are not worthy to untie his sandals. He must increase, and we must decrease.

Father God, forgive us for complicating our lives with so many activities and pursuits. Our minds are racing throughout the day with stresses and complications and affections of this world. May our selfish pursuits decrease within our minds and hearts as we open our whole being for You to increase. John reminds of a simple life of Spirit-filled devotion to You and humble service. Cause us to prayerfully consider what we can learn from the example of John. Amen! 

At the close of the Old Testament:

• Israel was under Persian rule, (such as we see in the book of Esther).
• Later, Alexander the Great defeated Persia, and the Jews were now subject to the rule of the Greeks. Alexander promoted Greek living (Hellenism) which produced a current of secularizing for the Jews. Most Jews began to adopt Greek as their everyday language.
• For a short period, the Jews were under Seleucid rule and ultimately, under Roman domination at the time of Luke chapter 1.
• The Jews were under foreign rule for over 400 years and consequently had been dispersed from Jerusalem and scattered all over the Mediterranean basin and Mesopotamia.

So What?

Don’t you love history and context? Well, regardless, stay with me — this may not be the greatest devotional message, but the context will shed light on what is really happening at the time of the birth of John and Jesus.
You know how we current-day Christians tend to gravitate to certain Bible passages and themes more than others? It’s true for all of us, to a certain degree. Popular preachers and authors tend to speak and write about subjects that are appealing to us. As an example, Joel Olsteen doesn’t preach the “whole counsel of God” from the Bible. He tends to stay within certain themes, and we keep consuming his content because, well, it feels good. The Bible does contain much about God’s anger, wrath, and judgement. But let’s face it, we all prefer love, joy, and peace. And go ahead and throw in some abundance and healings as well.

Where’s the Messiah I was expecting?

However, we are often hard on the Jews for missing Jesus. Jesus simply didn’t fit the bill of the Messiah they wanted and were waiting for. Throughout the years of the prophets and most likely during the 400 silent years, the Jews focused their attention on a Messiah of power, greatness, and might. A Messiah who would subdue the earthly enemies of Israel and set up a Kingdom on earth where the Messiah would rule and reign and Israel would enjoy their place as in the Kingdom as God’s chosen people.
The last prophecy given by Malachi before the 400 silent years began was focused on the Messiah as King and His Kingdom rule on earth.

‘For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.’ Malachi 4:1
Yikes, that’s harsh. But can’t you imagine that if you, like the Jews during the 400 silent years, had been under various foreign governments, you’d be hoping for this day that Malachi wrote about? Being one who is living under foreign rule, you might write this verse down on an index card, keep it under your pillow and read it every night.
You might also add the next couple of verses in Malachi to your index card:

But for you who fear My name, (the Jews are saying, ‘yea, that’s us. What’s it going to be like for us when the Messiah comes?’), the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall, (yes, freedom from foreign rule; we’re going to dance in the streets; preach it brother). You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,’ says the Lord of Hosts. Malachi 4:2,3.

Suffering Messiah?

Sure, the teachings of the suffering Messiah were there (Isaiah 53), but the Jews really didn’t see it. All they could see is the power and strength of the coming Messiah to conquer the Romans, set up His Kingdom on earth and elevate the nation of Israel. After centuries of foreign rule, Israel was ready for a Savior… a Savior that fit their liking.

I remember as a young, enthusiastic Christian at the age of 18, that I saw a placard that said, “‘I am meek and lowly of heart,’ Jesus.” I remember thinking, ‘I don’t like that image of Jesus.’ How short-sighted I was. Similar to the nation of Israel at the time of Jesus.

The Buzz

With this context, next time we’ll discover why the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist caused such a buzz. After all the years of silence and foreign rule, God is doing something. Is this baby born, called John, going to be the prophesied Elijah announcing the coming of the Messiah — the only Messiah that we really want… and need? THE KING!

Father, this topic reminds me that we often create You in our own image according to the God we want and we feel like we need. We have a hard time letting You be You. Lead us to love you fully as the God of all Your attributes. All Your attributes are beautiful, so help us to embrace them all by faith and full trust in You. Amen!

He said, She said

Mary said (I am) the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.

James and John said we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.

Mary said For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave.

James and John said Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in glory.’

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

The six deadly words of ignorant pride: give us greatness…we are able.

How about the other ten disciples?

We now know what is in the hearts of James and John: aspirations of pride and greatness. So, maybe, the other disciples are humble, faithful followers??? Not a chance.

Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

They said something like, ‘Hey, no fair! James and John cut in line.’

Jesus called them together and with great patience, tells them that greatness is to serve. 

Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but serve, and to give His life a ransom for many, Mark 10:42-45.

• Oh, how we long for comfort!
• Oh, how we love recognition!
• Oh, how we aspire to be honored!
• Oh, how we want to be first!

After nearly three years with Jesus and they still didn’t get it. They so struggled with pride and position. They were men of humble means who for all their lives had been subjected to power-hungry leadership. First, subjected by men of great position among the religious elite of Israel and then the powers of Rome as well. 

Now, with Jesus as their leader, they wanted their turn to attain authority and domination. What a glorious payback, the apostle surmised, if they could assume leadership over those who forced them to grovel as lowly subjects in the village.

Jesus rocks their world and says, But it is not this way among you. Be a servant; be a slave; just like me! We do things differently because we are different. We do it backward. We aspire to be last. We put others before us. We give rather than take. 

It’s not what we attain that matters; it’s what we give.

Brother Lawrence in Practicing the Presence of God says, ‘We must not grow weary of doing little things for the love of God, who looks not on the size of the work, but on the love we give it.’

Father, this was a hard lesson for the disciples and it is a hard lesson for us as well. Like Mary, our souls exalt You, our Lord. Our spirit rejoices in You, God our Savior! For You have regarded the humble state of Your bondslave. You inhabitant the Praises of Your people; You give grace to the humble. You grant honor to the meek. Help us learn this lesson and more importantly, to live it out daily. Amen!

• And Mary said, behold, (I am) the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word, 1:38. This is humble submission to God’s will and providence.
• And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 1:47. God saves the humble.
• For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave, 1:48. God chose a humble teenage girl to mother the Son of God.
• And His mercy is…toward those who fear him, 1:49. Reverence is the response of the humble toward God.
• He has scattered the proud…and has exalted those who were humble, 1:51, 52.
• He has given help to Israel His servant, 1:54. God hasn’t always blessed Israel’s pride and waywardness. But he always blesses them when they repent in humility. 

Fast Forward

Now, fast forward about 33 years. After Jesus spent nearly three years mentoring the disciples, we read of a scene that gives a stark contrast to the quality of humility seen in Mary.

They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He (Jesus) began to question them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ 

But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’ Mark 9:33-35

Kingdom Life

The disciples had constant issues with pride. It shows up everywhere in the gospels. It could be rooted in the fact that they clearly understood Old Testaments references of the Messiah as establishing a kingdom on earth. Yes, these prophecies will come true when Jesus comes to earth in power and might and touches down on earth in magnificent glory and splendor. But Jesus came the first time as a servant, to suffer and die, (Mark 10:45).

The disciples were consumed with aspirations of kingdom life. They had given up everything to follow Jesus with the hopes that they had hitched their wagons to the powerful and majestic Messiah. Very soon, they thought, we will be rewarded for following Him in humility. Soon they will be placed into positions of power. When Jesus subdues the Romans and takes over the leadership of Israel from the Pharisees, then the faithful disciples will live like princes in the Messiah’s kingdom. That was their dream!

With that context, read this story in Mark 10:35-45:

James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.  (If you’re a parent, your children probably used a similar strategy when they wanted something they knew you didn’t want to give them). And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?

They said to Him, ‘Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?’ (He was speaking of the suffering and persecution He was to endure shortly). They said to Him, ‘we are able.’ We are able. Really?

The Means and the Ends

Mary began with the ‘means’ of humility; to be a slave of Jesus. And Mary said, behold, (I am) the bondslave of the Lord…and left the ‘end’ to God:  may it be done to me according to your word, 1:38.

James and John had a different approach. They began with the ‘means’ of self-exaltation: to be great alongside Jesus. ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You. Their ‘end’ (so they hoped) was pre-determined by themselves: ‘Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in glory.’

What a contrast!

Next time, we’ll dig in further into this stark contrast of humility and pride.

Father, subdue our pride and fleshly pursuits greatness. Instead, fill us with Your grace to serve and give ourselves away. There are many around us in need. Grant that we would have joy as we serve others as if we are serving You. May You be glorified in our simple acts of service and love. We are Your servants, and we are honored to do Your work here on earth. Amen!

AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and He has exalted those who were humble. HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.  

He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever. 

And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. 

Luke 1:46-56 

In the Latin translation of this verse, the first word is Magnificat, which means magnify. This is a prayer of praise whereby Mary magnifies, exalts, and glorifies the Lord. 

Silence No More 

This meeting of Elizabeth and Mary is pretty special. God shows up in a big way. He manifests His presence in a way that infuses Mary with the Spirit of God to speak, to worship, and to magnify the Lord. This is significant because Israel has been in a “silent period” for approximately 400 years. Malachi had been the last prophet to speak on behalf of God. You could say that God had ‘laid low’ for a long time. 

He breaks this period of relative silence with the appearance of Gabriel and the Spirit-drenched worship time between Mary and Elizabeth. 

Her heart is full of joy, and she bursts forth with a song of praise that reveals her knowledge of God’s Word and the illumination of the Spirit. Most certainly, she was one of the young girls who sat every day in the Synagogue and actually listened as the scriptures were read in the extended readings. It’s one thing for a young person to hear the Word, but it’s another for one, such as Mary, to hear, to believe, to comprehend and recall. 

Pray that the Spirit will give you illuminating insight into His Word as you read, reflect, and write. 

I imagine that during Mary’s tender years of development, God was close to her humble heart, whispering words of clarity for Mary to comprehend. God kindly gave her understanding of the challenging depth and breadth of His Word as the Old Testament scriptures were read over and over; line by line, precept by precept. 

Mary draws upon the Word as she prays. The Magnificat is the Spirit-filled Mary praying scripture and drawing upon such verses as: 

• O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34.3 
• Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all our heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! Zephaniah 3.14 
• He has regarded the prayer of the destitute and has not despised their prayer. Psalms 102:17 
• The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; the Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow. But He thwarts the way of the wicked. Psalms 146:8,9. 

 Mary’s song of praise, which is filled with Old Testaments quotes and allusions reveals that her heart and mind were saturated with God’s Word. It also reveals her clear understanding of God’s kind consideration of the humble. As I’ve stated before, Mary exhibits the qualities of one whom the Lord inhabits. 

But to this one will I look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word, Isaiah 66:2b. 

Father, we are reminded by Mary’s song of praise to pray through scripture. Cause us to passionately pursue the Psalms with a heart to pray through them ourselves and to read them with a heart to confess, to give thanks, to praise you and bring all our requests before You. What a gift Your Word is to us. May we read and prayer in Your Word often. Amen. 

Folks, for a wonderful devotional book that teaches us how to pray scripture, I recommend Praying the Attributes of God by Rosemary Jensen.