of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” They
said to her, “But no one in your family has that name!” and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him. Zechariah asked
for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, “His name is John;” and they were very surprised. Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first
words were in praise of God. A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these
events. All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, “What will this child be?” For they understood that the hand of the Lord was
with him.
Reflection:
The birth of a child is always a happy
occasion. They represent the hope of those ahead of him
or her who had done their battles with life, or are about
to finish. What they have not accomplished and failed to do,
the newborn could someday. That is why there is excitement
in the air when John is born. Everybody in the village
knows of the miraculous circumstances surrounding
his birth. The miracle baby is now in their midst. And so,
the most important thing is the naming of the child. This
is a serious matter in ancient times. For a name carries with
it the destiny of the bearer. The baby could not be named
frivolously. And so, after much debate, they named
him John. It means that God is gracious. It is an apt name
for the child who will later on introduce the graciousness of
God, incarnate, our Lord Jesus Christ. And a holy expectation
gripped the hill country of Judea. They will watch the
child grow with awe and wonder. For through him,
the hope of the little people is rekindled while the powers
that be are unaware.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021