Some of you may already know that I decided to go back to school to finish my bachelors degree. This week was my first week back and one of my classes focuses on a study of the New Testament, specifically the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. For my Student Choice Assignment I have decided to blog about different things I learn and will be adding a new post every week.
Luke 1:5-80 - The Birth of John the Baptist
In Luke 1:13 Zacharias is told by an angel that his wife will bear him a son. In 14 Zacharias is told that he will not only have joy and gladness, but many shall rejoice at John's birth. Why? Well, we know that Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were stricken in years - so they were old, and couldn't have children. Of course the news of a son would cause for much rejoicing; not only for them but for those who cared about them. Later in chapter 1, verses 57-58 we read that Elisabeth brought forth a son (John) and her neighbors and relatives saw that the Lord blessed her with a child, and they rejoiced with her.
The angel Gabriel prophesies of the mission that John would fulfill in verses 15-17. One being a fulfillment of the prophesy we find in the Old Testament book of Malachi - that with the power of the spirit of Elias he would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. After John was born, his father Zacharias prophesied about the work that John would perform. Many people were aware that a prophet would prepare a way for the coming Savior, and the events surrounding his birth were a testament to them that believed and were waiting for that prophet to come. He was an unwavering and true disciple of Jesus Christ; "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord ... and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God ... And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins." (Luke 1:15, 16, 76, 77)
Even Jesus Christ himself praised John and said that as a prophet, there were none greater (Matthew 11:9-11). John humbly preached the gospel and baptized many, before and after he baptized the Savior. I can't even imagine what kind of amazing man he had to be to be given the mission of preparing the way for and baptizing the Savior of the world.
