Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:57-66 Tuesday (December 23): What then will this child be? 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, Not so; he shall be called John. 61 And they said to her, None of your kindred is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, His name is John. And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What then will this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. Meditation: Are you surprised to see the relatives of Zechariah and Elizabeth quibble over what to name their newborn child? Dont we do the same thing? This child, however has been named from above! And Elizabeth is firm in her faith and determined to see that God be glorified through this child. The name John means the Lord is gracious. In the birth of John the Baptist and in the birth of Jesus the Messiah we see the grace and favor of God breaking forth into a world broken by sin, corruption, and death - a world lost without hope. The Old Testament prophets foretold the return of the prophet Elijah (Malachi 3:1, and 4:5) who would announce the coming of the Messiah - the Savior and Ruler of the earth. John the Baptist fulfills the role of Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14). His miraculous birth shows the mercy and favor of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Savior,the Lord Jesus Christ. When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith alive to his promises. When we respond to his word with trust the Lord fills us with the joy of the Holy Spirit and renews our hope and gratitude for the mercy and gift of new life and salvation in Jesus Christ. Do you make your life an offering of thanksgiving to God, along with your family and all that you possess and hope to accomplish? God wants to fill us with the joy of his saving presence all the days of our lives, from birth through death. Renew the offering of your life to God and give him thanks for his mercy and favor towards you. “Lord Jesus, you are gracious and forgiving towards us. Renew in me the gift of faith that I may believe your promises and obey your word. Source: DS
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 07:56:44 +0000
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