The Gospel of Luke 1:61-63 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.” (Luke 1:61-63 KJV).

These passages capture the reaction of the people present, expressing their disbelief and shock that the child would be named anything other than a traditional family custom of naming. Recognizing the importance of obedience to God's will, Elizabeth and Zecharias remained faithful to God's instructions and plan, even in their old age and the social pressure around them. The naming of John was a divine act pointing to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and specific instruction from God through the angel Gabriel.

These relatives, friends and neighbors who were so dogmatic with their customs and traditions, turn their attention to Zacharias who was still unable to hear and speak. Making signs and gestures, they asked him the name he chose for his son. Struck dumb due to unbelief, he managed to scribble the name John following what the angel Gabriel told him.

In its broader sense, all these foreshadow the role of John the Baptist as a herald of the coming Messiah. His birth and name John (which means “God is gracious” in Hebrew), were part of the larger plan of salvation orchestrated by God. The astonishment of the witnesses serve as a precursor to the awe that surrounds the ministry of John revealing the Savior of the world in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, he came to reveal, …“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV). Pointing to Christ Jesus, he calls our focus to grace in the person of the Messiah who comes to supply the demands of the law that we are incapable to satisfy. For the law came through a servant, grace came by the Son. Scriptures declare: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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