The conclusion of the story of the birth of John the Baptist reminds us of some truths we have already learned: with God nothing is impossible, but sometimes we have to wait for God’s will to be done. Elizabeth and Zacharias had waited a long time to have a child, and of course they had waited during the course of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Now that the baby was born, it was only natural that they should celebrate.

So, why did the parents both insist on naming the baby John? And why did Zacharias have to write the name down on a tablet? At the beginning of this chapter, when the angel Gabriel first told Zacharias he and Elizabeth would have a child, Zacharias did not believe him. As a result, he was rendered unable to speak – and given that verse 62 says that the people had to make signs instead of speaking to him, Zacharias was probably unable to hear as well. In this enforced solitude, he had a lot of time to think and pray.

But Gabriel had told him something else: that he and Elizabeth should name the baby John, which means “Yahweh is gracious.” And so when the baby was born, when Zacharias could see the grace of God for himself, he responded not in skepticism but in faith, giving the baby the name God wanted him to have. And that’s when Zacharias’ speech and hearing were returned to him.

So, what does Zacharias’ experience have to tell us? Of course that we should not be skeptical of God’s promises – if God says something, it is as good as done. But more than that, it shows us that our response to God’s promises and to God’s grace should be obedience. James said that the best way to show our faith is by our works (James 2:14-18). So may we follow Zacharias’ example today, opening our mouths to praise our gracious God and following His law of perfect love.

Luke 1:57-66 (NASB)

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.
59 And it came about that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”
61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”
62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
63 And he asked for a tablet, and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished.
64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.
65 And fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.
66 And all who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.