The story surrounding the birth of John the Baptist is recorded in Luke 1: 5-57. John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus Christ. His parents were Zechariah a priest, and Elizabeth a daughter of Aaron. John was born when his parents were advanced in age and at which time they had no child. It is therefore probable that John was an only child because there is no further account of his siblings in the bible.
John’s conception and his name were announced by an angel to Zechariah following years of prayer though he was a priest of God. The words of the angel in verse 13: ‘do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard…’ meant that Zechariah doubted his own prayers based on their natural circumstances of the advanced ages of him and his wife. However within days, Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist as the angel had announced.
John’s conception
The message of John’s conception shows that God is not bound by times and seasons. God alters the times and seasons at and for his pleasure. No time or season is too late for God and he is not limited in power, authority or might. Abraham encountered a similar situation with Isaac. There is nothing impossible to God or that with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19: 26; Mark 10: 27 say with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Our physical or natural circumstances should not dictate the strength of our faith. Our faith should be based on what the Lord has said even if human logic or wisdom of man suggests otherwise. In John 20:29 Jesus said to Thomas, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
God is God and above nature as the creator and ultimate of all good things. Whatever God speaks or promises shall come true in its season. Matthew 5:18 says till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33 says heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. The event of John the Baptist’s conception touched on faith and God’s invincibility. God said in Jeremiah 1:5 before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
The attitude of Zechariah
Zachariah was the father of John the Baptist and a priest. First, Zachariah and his wife were quite old yet they were resilient in prayer and did not give up on God. He trusted God and exercised faith. Numbers 23:19 say God is not man that he should lie. When we travail in prayer God hears us based on the importunity. However God answers us in his own time because his ways are perfect. God expects us to wait on him with knowledge, understanding and divine wisdom. Isaiah 40:31 says they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. As servants, we must wait for our master’s instructions.
Second, although Zechariah had travailed in prayer, he sometimes succumbed to fear and doubts in spite of his knowledge of scripture and the effect of prayer. Sometimes the waiting period may produce anxiety but it is not an excuse to give up. Philippians 4:6-7 say have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. Obedience is the key to a successful walk with God through Christ Jesus. As servants of the Lord we must keep the faith in our Master who is the Lord of all things.
Obedience overcomes doubts, produces patience, and dispels doubts and fear. Zechariah’s strength was in unfailing prayer. Proverbs 3: 5-6 say trust in the Lord always with your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding, in all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Zechariah was surprised at God’s intervention at a time when all circumstances rendered his expectation impossible. God surprises us when all hope is gone and that makes Him I AM WHO I AM!
Third, John the Baptist was to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Oblivious of God’s plan Zachariah only wanted a child. God answers our prayers to fulfill his divine purpose, not ours. By divine purpose since it was not the time for Jesus to come into the world, the birth of John the Baptist was equally premature because the two events were tied together. We should not rush without knowledge of God’s plan for his divine reason. Deuteronomy 32:4 says the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice. God does not answer our prayers to destroy us but to give us hope in him. Jeremiah 29: 11 says I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Thoughts of God’s desertion
No matter our status in life, we sometimes think God has forsaken us. Jesus when he wore human nature and bore our sins on the cross thought the same. However, God comes through at the appointed time. Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8 says the LORD will never forsake you. Hebrews 13: 5 says I will never fail you nor forsake you. Negative situations may sometimes cloud, shake, shift or test our faith but James 1:2 says count it all joy, my brethren when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And steadfastness has its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says no temptation has overtaken us that is not common to man.
What are we expecting from God which has delayed? Are we waiting on God or impatiently deserting him? Are we obedient to scripture about our relationship with God in prayer? Do our requests to God have any divine purpose? The purpose of John’s birth was to announce the coming of Christ Jesus. How do we train our children and for what purpose? Proverbs 22: 6 says train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Where we lack the ability to do it right, Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Christ Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. What is our attitude towards God?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, give us divine favour, guidance and wisdom to wait on you in patience. Restore our faith when it is shaken because of the storms of life. Blind our sight to worldly challenges so we may focus on you in all things. Be our strength while troubles last for you are able. Forgive and wash our sins of doubts and fears in your blood and save our souls today. With thanks, we say Amen!!
