Zecharias, Elizabeth And John

by R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Category: Lives As Lessons | Jan 1996

Introduction:

Our indebtedness to the eye-witness accounts of those who were in the company of the Lord Jesus during His earthly days cannot be estimated. They either wrote directly themselves of what they saw and heard, or passed on the precise details, under the unerring direction of the divine Spirit, of experiences and sayings while with the Master, to faithful ministers of the Word (Luke 1:2). They in turn recorded accurately the facts of biblical history, thus furnishing us with a rich compendium of truth for our day.

Zacharias:

The historical account of the events shortly preceding the birth of the Saviour introduces personalities whose faith and godliness warm the heart. Few more so than Zecharias and Elizabeth as revealed in the lovely biographical account, parents of the mighty preacher of repentance unto remission of sins, John the Baptist. They appear as a quality couple, godly and exemplary in their ways. They were righteous (before God) and blameless (before men) yet childless (Luke 1:5-7). They may well have been regarded as in their golden years, yet how valuable their character and service was to the Lord. Zacharias (meaning God has remembered), as a direct descendant from the Aaronic family of priests, was still fulfilling his set course of priestly service, the high responsibility of incense burning, which was an ordinance to be perpetually carried out before the Lord (Ex. 30:7,8), answering to the burning of the incense on the golden altar before the throne of God in heaven (Rev. 8:3-5). Associated with that incense fragrance are 'the prayers of the saints', which are a sweet savour to God.

Elizabeth:

His wife Elizabeth (meaning God has promised) comes across the inspired page as a woman of godly fear and gracious demeanour. She and Zacharias were prayer-partners, joint-heirs of the grace of life. Long had they wished prayerfully for a child (Luke 1:13) but, it seemed not to be until, at last, in this 'late' hour of their lives great news came. No less than Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, was the communicator of the message from on high. The blessing in the family would extend to many in Israel, not only those rejoicing in John's birth but also many rejoicing in finding the Lord through his ministry (Luke 1:14-16). The ambition of this godly pair would be fulfilled - to have a child who would be great in the eyes of the Lord rather than men. This tests the ambitions of Christian parents today regarding their children - are they for worldly fame and achievement or greatness in the sight of the Lord?

Joint Commitment:

Another aspect of fine character found in Zacharias and Elizabeth is their acceptance of the Lord's will. Zacharias did not react unfavourably to the imposition of temporary silence of speech. He continued his ministry, the people waiting for him (Luke 1:21-23), knowing his faithfulness to the divine calling although the Lord had disciplined him. Elizabeth had willingly home the reproach of childlessness without renouncing her commitment to the Lord (Luke 1:36). Her spiritual discernment was so strong, realizing that the babe in her

kinswoman Mary's womb was the Lord of heaven and earth (Luke 1:43), causing great joy in the babe in her own womb (v.44). She at once knew the filling of the Spirit, the joy of the Lord and the fulfilment of His word. These experiences of spiritual blessing can be known and enjoyed by God-fearing and God-honouring mothers and fathers today.

John - Prophecy Of His Work And Character:

Of their son, John (meaning favoured of God), remarkable words are spoken of his manner of life and service for God: from his birth - Spirit filled: in his life - alcohol abstention; in his ministry - converter of the repentant and preparer of the Way of the Lord (Luke 1:14-17). For over nine months Zacharias had not been able to speak. At the ceremony of circumcision, which in the Jewish custom was the time when the naming of the male child took place, there was pressure from others to call the child after his father Zacharias. The strength of conviction of Zacharias and Elizabeth shines through in their insistence upon his name being called John, in acceptance of the Lord's word through the angel. Zacharias's first words on being released from his dumbness were in praise to the Lord (Luke 1:64). His prophecy of God's mercy to the house of Israel and of his offspring's preeminence in the work of God until the Lord's public appearing, is an example of spiritual wisdom and revelation (vv.67-70).

The Man - His Mission And Message:

John's message and ministry were powerful (in the spirit of Elijah) and practical; giving warning of impending wrath from God and the need to show the effect of the reception of the message (fruits worthy of repentance) in the case of tax collectors not taking more than was due, and of soldiers not being intimidating. They were to be unaccusing and satisfied with their remuneration, insomuch that all who heard John were of the opinion that he could be the Christ. John denied this and directed them to the greater Person and greater ministry of the One who would come after him. His message, as every preacher's must be, was of Another. His place of humility before the Saviour is worthy of emulation - '... I am not worthy...' (Luke 3:16); 'He must increase, but I must decrease' (John 3:30).

John's campaign, as a messenger and preacher of the Lord, was in a barren district in the eastern part of Judea, which was to prove a fertile ground for many coming to know 'the Way of the Lord'. How often is God's blessing found in the least likely places. The message of repentance is never a popular one, for the sinful ear never likes to hear about God's demand for personal acknowledgement of a wrong state before Him and the need to put it right. It formed a necessary preliminary part of gospel preaching content to the Jew in the Acts (see 2:38; 3:19, etc.) and is one the world ever needs to hear. To be 'a voice' for God in this world's wilderness was John's supreme delight and sole occupation. His clothes and lifestyle were simple, unconforming to the fashion-consciousness and worldly attitude so prevalent in human society at that time and also today (see Rom. 12:2). When there is a work to do for God the least baggage we carry of the world's goods and ways the better, so that His voice can be heard. Time was short, the message was urgent, and men and women in their hordes responded (Mat. 3:5). Critical onlookers and hangers-on there would be, but they too would not be spared the uncompromising claaims of the kingdom of heaven

A unique event:

The highlight of John's experience was the day the Saviour came to be baptized of him, not in repentance as all others did, but in fulfilment of all righteousness. We can imagine the thrill in the heart of this fearless exponent of God's truth to men, holding in his arms the glorious Son of God. Simeon held him as a Babe, Joseph and Nicodemus as a corpse, but John as a living Man. His was the privilege to witness the gracious descent of the Spirit of God in dove-like appearance upon his Saviour and Lord.

The end of an Era:

John's imprisonment and decapitation must have caused an intense pang of sorrow to the Lord Jesus' heart; yet John's preparatory work was complete. He was a steadfast and trustworthy servant, never shaken by men's opinions and persecutions (see Mat. 14:4). He had pointed out the Lord as the sinless sin-bearer (John 1:29) bearing and taking away the abominable load of human guilt. He commanded a loyal following of worthy men like Andrew and John who remained with him until John directed them to the Saviour, the Author and Leader of their salvation (Heb. 2:10). His last message from prison was to assure those who had stayed with him in discipleship that they were now to follow and serve the greatest of all Teachers and Masters by sending them directly to Him (Mat.

11:2).

John's bold denunciation of the illicit relationship between Herod and his sister-in-law had incurred the rage of this morally bankrupt head of state, who feared men rather than God (Mat. 14:5,9). At the whim of a woman, he ordered the capital execution of a man spiritually head and shoulders above his peers and of no less standing than the greatest servants of God. It was murder most foul, a seeming untimely death, yet surpassed in violence and injustice by the treatment of the One this great Old Testament prophet served.

R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Jan 1996
Lives As Lessons