He will be called John

Imagine the happiness of Elizabeth and Zechariah! Their baby has been born, so long awaited and so miraculous. At the point of circumcision and naming, everyone was ready to call him Zechariah. It made sense, after all. It’s how things were done.

Elizabeth pushed back: “No. He will be called John.” Zechariah still didn’t have his voice, but they handed him a tablet to get confirmation from him.

He gave it, and the first words he spoke, now that he could, were to bless God.

“Fear came upon all their neighbors,” we read. This was no ordinary baby, and they knew it. 

We know it, too. He was the forerunner, the precursor, the beginning of the prophecy.

God has a track record of mercy. He gives more than he takes, and he knows what’s best for us. And whether we accept the gift he’s offering or not, he won’t stop holding it out to us.

Are we ready?