Luke 1:57-68 ~ the time came

Luke 1:57-68

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives 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 called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John."

61 And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name."

62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.

63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."

And they all wondered. 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.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68
 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people"


Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.

When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel"(which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.




Jesus told people He had come for the Sheep of Israel. We also know the sheep seeing the Heavenly Host were calm enough upon seeing all of Heaven singing  -  the Shepherds left to find Jesus.


Now, indeed indeed indeed - we are mixing the figurative with the literal. For good purpose.


Zechariah is a communicator.
He is a Rabbi and all know he has encountered something of Heaven while in the Temple. And his older wife is successfully given a son. Zechariah is mute and now they are making signs to him as if Zechariah is deaf. The sheep of Israel are displaying being sheep. Life is hurrying past. Yes - it's a miracle child - a son. Sure, yep, an angel visited. Something is wrong with the Rabbi - make signs. These are the people who have taken time to show up for this miraculous birth. The Sheep have not taken time to consider the events all the way through. They have a snapshot and are ready to roll on.

Zechariah is a communicator, a teacher, a Rabbi. Zechariah writes what is important. "His name is John." No time is wasted on reproach. The question is answered. Zechariah is mute on the day his son is born. We know suppressing emotion (frustrations of being mute, wonder upon Elizabeth's health) can lead to Hostilities. Zechariah is at terms with all that has occurred. The Teacher is the Comforter and solution is the - step that arrives next. The Problem is Solved.

Zechariah is given 'his voice' back.

Did Zechariah consider his words and the right solution presented? We are not told the emotions leading up to the miracle of restoration. We know instead the actions. Just as the Story of Luke 1 and Luke 2. Emotions are secondary. Actions are first. And we find healing occurs.

The Joy of God with us has crowded out - emotion.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people"

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

And All His Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

God with us.


Being a Sheep of Israel by adoption of Jesus - this Chapter reminds me, we can blunder making signs at a hearing Rabbi and we are still given the Miracle. Father God does not withhold from the uninformed, the mistaken, the busy or the naive. We are Given the Miracle. We are Given Jesus. God is not First Prize takes all. God is the Shepherd who is looking out for the least of us. The little lamb wandering around is not to be forgotten.


Even seeing Zechariah writing down, "John." The Mercy of God permeates all of the events. Blessings are Everywhere. Even to those who need the Blessing pointed out to them. We all need a few pointers.

Father God, Abba,

We are so Glad You are God. We look to You for Your Willing, Lavish and Abundant Blessings. As we connect the A parts of Life to the B parts of Life and hunt for the C part of Life.

Thank You for Being our God. Thank You for Jesus.

Help us each day to walk in Your Good Works knowing The Blessing of Salvation is a Gift.

Gift this Nation trusting in You to know Your Love and Good Pleasure. Bless us, we ask, during this Holy Season. In ways we could not even know to ask or imagine. Being Blessed to know this Prayer is Your's and goes further with You.

Bless the people knowing to ask with the Holy Spirit for more Heaven upon earth. And to have the faith to believe You will do as Jesus as asked us to Pray.

Covering this day and all those we Love with the Name and Salvation of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †