june 24, 2005

John is His Name Lk 1:57-66, 80

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Naming carries a special meaning. It is a special name that John is given which is a break from the expected tradition. Added to this is the healing of Zechariah's speech when he also affirms that the child's name is John. In the naming of John, Elizabeth and Zechariah are acknowledging God's blessing to them and also showing faith in God. It is a sign of what is to come that there is a miracle at his naming and that his name is not what was expected. John is to become the prophet of God predicted long before in the Scriptures. The child John is a great gift and blessing from God to the people. Today, as I begin to wrestle with my challenges and burdens of the day, I will take time to count the bountiful gifts and blessings that I have received.