Introduction
Luke has set out to provide his readers with a certainty concerning the things they had been taught about Jesus. He is detailed and organized in his presentation. He is historically accurate as well as pastorally sensitive.
He has been building this chapter by jumping back and forth between the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist to the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. He provides details about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the song of praise that resulted, from the young Mary’s heart as the ladies spent three months reflecting and rejoicing together.
Now we come to the birth of John the Baptist. It’s an exciting event in the life of this family, but it too points forward as a precursor to the birth that follows in the next chapter.
Luke 1:57–66 ESV
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Think of the communities that you’ve been a part of. Maybe you’ve been a part of some pretty messed up communities. Everyone seems to have
There probably isn’t a whole lot of drama in this passage, but we haven’t heard from Zechariah since he became speechless in the temple (v.22).
Will Zechariah follow through on the promise he received?
Maybe there was some tension in his heart regarding all of this.
God accomplishes his eternal purposes through flawed communities.
I just have a simple outline with a few brief comments to make this afternoon.
1. The Joy of Community (57-58)
2. The Challenge of Community (59-64)
3. The Influence of Community (65-66)
1. The Joy of Community (57-58)
Luke 1:57 ESV
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
Luke 1:58 ESV
And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
Ryle: “We see in the conduct of Elizabeth’s neighbors and cousins, a striking example of the kindness we owe to one another… A kind word of congratulation or consolation is seldom forgotten.”
This point is easy to overlook.
Romans 12:15 ESV
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Illustration – Move me!
Weddings and funerals should not be skipped when we can help it.
› Transition
2. The Challenge of Community (59-64)
Luke 1:59 ESV
And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,
“They” would of course refer to the relatives and neighbors as well as the one performing the rite.
The naming of a Jewish child typically took place at birth.
Naming John at his circumcision may point to the Abrahamic covenant – the only other character in Scripture recorded as receiving his name on the day of his circumcision (Gn. 17:5, 23).
The eighth day provided an occasion for Zechariah’s speech to return to him in a public manner.
Luke 1:60 ESV
but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”
Sproul: Throughout the Bible names are often used to describe someone’s personality. Jesus called Simon Petros, Peter, meaning rock. Sometimes when a person’s life was transformed their name would change: Abram became Abraham; Jacob, after he wrestled with God, became Israel; Saul became Paul.
There is a particular significance to the giving of names. Remember that when God created Adam and Eve, one of the first tasks he gave Adam was to name the animals. It was a symbolic gesture expressing the authority God gave him over all creatures. Similarly, in Israel, the act of naming a child was a demonstration of parental authority over the child.
So when Gabriel announced to Elizabeth and Zechariah that they were going to have a baby, and what the name of that baby was to be, he was giving them a message they understood.
Luke 1:61 ESV
And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”
Luke 1:62 ESV
And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.
Zechariah was not just mute, but he was probably deaf too. They had to make signs to ask him about their son’s name.
• The Greek word translated “mute” in v.22 can refer to someone who is mute, deaf, or mute and deaf.
• However, vv.20, 22 make no mention that he would be deaf. And, again in v.64 there is no mention of being deaf. So it is a bit of a quandary.
Probably the most authoritative conservative Lukan scholar, Darrell Bock believes Zechariah was mute and deaf. He understands the “signs” to be sign language.
Luke 1:63 ESV
And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
This was not an iPad, but a board covered in wax that the use scratched letters upon with an iron stylus.
Nine months of muteness taught Zechariah something. He was now filled with faith. And next week we will see the praise that spills out of him as his first words spoken following his affliction.
Luke 1:64 ESV
And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
Illustration – Move me!
I don’t get the impression that the community was pressuring Elizabeth and Zechariah in a negative way. They were concerned that maybe the couple had been through so much that they were no longer thinking straight. We should remember that they were their because they were excited for them and wanted to rejoice with them.
But, we do see the tension that is created within a community that does not have the same vision. It’s obvious that no one else knew what Elizabeth and Zechariah knew. Part of that was due to the condition of Zechariah’s voice these past nine months.
› Transition
3. The Influence of Community (65-66)
Luke 1:65 ESV
And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,
The same neighbors who rejoiced at the birth of a son to barren Elizabeth (v.58) were now filled with fear [of God] because they realized this was a holy moment.
Luke 1:66 ESV
and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Precursor to Mary’s reaction (2:19, 51).
John the Baptist was a unique child, and yet the blessings described here should be a part of our prayers for our own children. “The hand of the Lord was with him.” He was sanctified and renewed, taught and prepared, strengthened, encouraged, comforted.
Does this blessing reflect your prayers for your children?
Maybe he was walking around in camels hair and beginning to eat insects in preparation.
Illustration – Move me!
Implication – Show me!
What makes the community influential? What if they were spreading a false hope?
› Transition
Conclusion
Summarize the main points and implications.
Clearly point to Christ.
End with a charge.