HIS NAME IS JOHN

 

Friday, December 1, 2023

 

HIS NAME IS JOHN

 

Luke 1:15-17

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

 

          The first message that Luke presented was the unusual character called John. The unnatural circumstances of his birth was a nine-month testimony to the beginning of what would be a new covenant. Elizabeth’s pregnancy became a visual illustration of Gabriel’s declaration: “with God nothing shall be impossible.”

 

          He would not be called Junior but would be called John. The only explanation for this was that it was chosen by the Lord. The unnatural nature of John’s conception would continue throughout his life. He drank no wine, oinos, and he would drink no intoxicants, sikera. He would be separate and sober.

 

          He would be a prophet of the Highest and many would he “turn to the Lord their God.” That is interesting to me because these acknowledged God but had turned AWAY. John would cause them to turn TO the Lord. In this sense, John would be a revivalist. He would point out sins and cause discomfort because of it. His duty was to make ready.

 

          John was a futurist and preached that the kingdom should quickly prepare for their King. He would emulate the ministry of Elijah, condemning sin and encouraging purity, demanding change. His focus would not be upon regal religious robes but upon righteousness. He would be divisive and controversial.

 

          Once again, the people sit in darkness. Confusion reigns and knowledge of the Holy is rare. We need another John to point out our sins and to stir us to change. We need to know that the coming of the Lord is near, very near.

 

Dear Lord, as we enter the Christmas season, let us not forget that your coming is very soon. AMEN