Luke 1:5-14, 39-41, 57, 67, & 76-80: Prepare the Way for the Lord
God answered the prayers of Zacharias and Elisabeth because of their faithful obedience to Him. Not only did God gift them with a son, but He sent an angel to foretell of this special child's birth! This son was so important to the Kingdom of God, he was filled with the Holy Spirit even in the womb, and his future ministry was prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, (The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.")
This child was John the Baptist and would prepare the way for Jesus Christ. What an honor! May we all prepare the hearts of others for the love of Jesus Christ.
(Luke 1:5-14, 39-41, 57, 67, & 76-80) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
And Mary [the mother of Jesus] arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, "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, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel."
If you are interested, you can read my writings on Zacharias and John the Baptist here:
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