Luke 1:57-80

Zachariah’s months of silence had wrought something powerful in him.

I don’t remember the name of the movie, but I do remember seeing a movie on TV when I was a kid in which this scene was portrayed. The neighbors are all gathered around. They are excited about Zachariah Jr until Elizabeth insist the name will be John. The crowd turns to Zachariah expecting him to set this woman straight but requesting a slate he emphatically scrawls “His name is John.”

I don’t know why that always stayed with me, but clearly Zachariah wasn’t going to mess up this time the way he had in the temple. You may think, “Of course not. No one would.” But you would be wrong. We repeat our mistakes at an alarming rate even after being convinced that we have learned our lesson.

But that’s not all. Zachariah speaks! Thus spake Zachariah (being also filled with the Holy Spirit), “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” Wow! A father who has heard from God concerning the destiny of his child and who then publicly speaks that destiny over his child. Plenty of parents these days speak destiny over their children, but it isn’t something they have heard from God, and it isn’t good. But to have a godly parent really hear and speak over you... that is a remarkable advantage.

Zachariah’s months of silence wrought something powerful in him. This brings to mind the words of Hebrews 12:5-6;  “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”