Characters at the Cradle: John the Baptist, The Birth

by David Chadwick

This week, we are going to look at another character at the cradle. Join me as we explore the birth of John the Baptist, found in Luke 1:57-66. We will start today by looking at verses 57 and 58.

Elizabeth's time to give birth has finally arrived! After her five months of hiddenness and Zechariah's nine months of silence, the divine time for John to enter the world had arrived!

Think about all that must have happened to Elizabeth over those nine months. Somehow, Zechariah figured out a way to tell her about Gabriel's visit to him in the temple. The shock, the unbelief, the awe, the acceptance. You know there must have been a wide range of emotions.

Then, as alluded to earlier, for five months, Elizabeth hid herself and spent time absorbing the magnitude of this news. After so many long years of praying and waiting, they would finally have a son. And oh, how great this son would be!

Because Gabriel had shut Zechariah's mouth after displaying unbelief, Elizabeth was left with a lot of time to ponder quietly during her pregnancy. She probably spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation.

Then, if you remember, Elizabeth also had that special designated time with her cousin, Mary. When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leaped in her womb in the presence of Jesus. Even in the womb, John knew he was in the presence of the Son of God. It's yet another pro-life verse people should study. A child in the womb can leap for joy!

When John was born, Elizabeth's neighbors came and shared in her joy. They rejoiced in the Lord's mercy toward her, giving her a child in old age, and ultimately removing the reproach of barrenness for her and Zechariah.

JOY! It's what they all experienced. One of the greatest producers of joy is answered prayer. In fact, the Bible says that "hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). Think about the many answered prayers that you have seen take place in your life. As you do, let faith arise that God still may answer the deepest desires of your heart.

Answered prayers always produce great joy. Have faith and continue to believe even before you have received the promise! This produces faith, which cannot be taken away.

And this faith realized produces great joy!