Today’s reading: Luke 1:57-66
When I read the assigned scriptures for today, I was surprised we were still studying Elizabeth, Zechariah, and the birth of John the Baptist. While today’s verses are the account of John’s actual birth (after many months of anticipation), I’ll admit, I was wondering what else there could be to talk about after an entire week on the same Bible story. I pressed on. Isn’t it amazing how God speaks to us if we commit to studying his word? After studying this passage more, two major themes spoke to my heart – connection and obedience.
God created us as relational people. We long for relationships, deep connections with others. Yes, even those of us who’s Myers Briggs type indicator starts with an I (introvert) need connection with others. For all of us, 2020 has been a year like no other. For me, the highs have been really high, and the lows have been really low. As you’ve lived with stay-at-home orders and the desire to keep your family healthy, do you ever remember a time when your friendships and frequent contact with those you love has been more important?
In today’s story about the birth of John the Baptist, do you see the significance of Elizabeth’s relationships? I don’t think they were in the midst of a global pandemic, but it might have been worse for Elizabeth. Remember, her husband Zechariah wasn’t able to communicate throughout her entire pregnancy. I’m positive she was dying for connections with others to feed her soul. After the baby was born, the first thing the Bible talks about is how her neighbors and relatives shared her joy. God met her need through friends and neighbors because Zechariah still couldn’t talk (verse 58).
The second theme that spoke to me in this passage was obedience. Verse 59 tells us that on the 8th day the religious leaders came to circumcise and name the child. God had previously told both Elizabeth and Zechariah they were to name their son John. But on the 8th day they still had a choice – stick with family tradition, as the religious leaders were suggesting, or obey. Elizabeth told the leaders the baby’s name was to be John, but they pressed on and went to Zechariah to see if they would get a different answer (as a mother this makes me mad by the way). He stood firm, also insisting the baby was to be named John. God blessed their obedience by restoring Zechariah’s speech. The first thing out of Zechariah’s mouth? Praise to God.
My challenge for us today –
In the remaining 14 days of 2020, consider where you have the opportunity to choose obedience to God’s commands. 2020 has been hard. I suspect it is as easy for you as it is for me to rationalize a lot of things and blame them on COVID. I challenge you to choose obedience over fun and obedience over easy and just see how God shows up. A year from now, like Zechariah, I hope each of us can look back on 2021 and say,
…for the Lord’s hand was with [them] (Luke 1:66).