John the Baptist

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:5-17 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. [6] They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. [7] But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. [8] Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, [9] according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. [11] And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. [12] Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. [14] You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. [15] For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. [16] And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. [17] It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

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Commentary:  The Holy Spirit prepared the way for Jesus through the life and ministry of John the Baptist.  One of the side subjects that comes to light in this particular passage of scripture is the sanctity of life.  Even as an unborn child, John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit.  This reminds me of the prophet Jeremiah: The word of the LORD came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
      This tells us that God had a specific work and mission for John the Baptist to fulfill, and that this mission was set into motion before John the Baptist was even born.  John's parents were "righteous in the sight of God."  (This is a challenging theological issue when you consider the depravity of mankind)  Scripture calls them blameless in their pursuit of obeying the commandments and requirements of the law.  (Amazing!)
      God rewarded their faithfulness; although past the age of child-bearing; and although Elizabeth was barren; Zacharias and Elizabeth had a son, who would become known as John the Baptist.  It took a miracle of God to produce the one who would prepare the way before Jesus.
      John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb.  By the time Jesus was ready to embark upon His public ministry, John the Baptist was already the leading prophet of Israel.  He was calling the people of Israel to repentance.  He also prophesied that the arrival of the promised Messiah was at hand.
      When Jesus appeared where John was baptizing people, John recognized Jesus publicly as the promised one.  A short time later when asked about Jesus' fame, John humbly stated, "He must increase and I must decrease."

Questions to Consider:

1. I think one of the tragedies of abortion is the fact that unborn children are being killed before they ever have a chance to live in the purposes of God.  Are you aware of God's purposes for your life?  (Are you walking in God's purposes?)
2. John the Baptist's acceptance of Jesus gave Jesus instant spiritual credibility; why was this important?