When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father's name. But his mother said, "No! He will be named John." The people said to Elizabeth, "But no one in your family has this name (John)!" Then they made signs to his father, "What would you like to name him?" Zechariah asked for something to write on. Then Zechariah wrote, "His name is John." All the people were surprised. Then Zechariah could talk again. He began to praise God.
— Luke 1:59-64 NLT
Key Thought
What is the big deal about the name of this miracle baby given to Elizabeth? Obedience, pure and simple. There was no reason to name him John—no relatives or heroes in the family of that name. But the angel had said, "You will name him John ...." So, they did! God's approval was shown in the removal of Zechariah's inability to speak. This conception, this birth, this child is no accident of late-life passion. This is the work of God! Obedience, pure and simple, opens up a pathway for the work of God, and no one's life illustrates that more than John ben Zechariah, the one we know as John the Baptist!
Today's Prayer
Holy and righteous God, full of compassion and mercy, please forgive me for sometimes treating my responsibility to obey your will as optional. Give me a holy passion to honor you in word and in deed. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- 1 Samuel 15:17-23
- James 1:21-25
- Colossians 1:19-23
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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