And Thou, Child

This is about a man who was not allowed to speak because of his doubt in the word of God. When told that he and his wife Elisabeth would have a son, Zacharias didn’t believe it. He was mute until after John was born.  He looked at his son and said these words.

Luke 1:76 “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

This is what Christmas is about—the child.  John came as a baby; he was not virgin born but was a miracle baby.  His parents were past childbearing years when he was conceived. The other baby of Christmas was virgin born, incarnated in the womb of Mary. He became flesh and took the first step in our redemption.

Christmas is all about children.  We get like children—frantic, antsy, and excited.  I hope I never lose the child in me especially at Christmas time.  Being a Christian is about learning to be a child.  Jesus showed the practical side of Christianity when he took a child upon his lap and said that we all have to become as a little child.  Childishness comes out in a wrong way a lot of the time, but we should show the humility and innocence of a child.  God addresses us as his children and says the same to us as Zacharias said to his son— “thou child.”

Zacharias knew his son was not the Savior. He also knew that John would play a role as the preparer of the Messiah.  He was the mechanism of Christmas.  There must first be a giver. The giver must buy the needed gift and pay for it.  It has to be prepared, and must have a receiver.  Zacharias saw John as the preparer of the gift. He realized the prophecy was coming to pass. A Savior would be born.  The giver needed to be prepared for. John would have this ability. As long as we keep our child-like attitude, we can prepare the way of the Lord for others.

Who is having his way?  How much do we get our way?  How much of what the Lord wants conflicts with what we want?  Too often we are okay until what we want isn’t what the Lord wants. Who will win out in the conflict?  John set himself aside and let God have his way. He made it possible for Jesus to present himself.

We’re all like John; we have the ability to prepare the way by our own witness. John knew who Jesus was. He called him the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  He was willing to do his part. We have the truth of the gift, but we have the giver in our heart.  John gave up a lot to do his part.  He was alone in the wilderness. The Lord was with him.  The true child of God may be alone at times, but God is there. Like John, we can prepare the way for those who need the gift.

Times were bad when John and Jesus grew up. The Roman Empire was ruler of the world. It was a bleak as it is today. There is not a whole lot in earthly respects to look forward to. Zacharias looked at his son and said “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” John would show forth the light of the Lord to the people in that dark time of history.  In our darkest times we have life and peace. John had the privilege to lead people into the way of peace.

Whatever circumstances we are in, there is no reason not to have peace.  We live in uncertain times. Health, family conflicts, and problems at work take their toll at taking away our peace.  We have one who can lead us in the way.  Let’s prepare the way. We’re not the giver of life. We’re not the solution for the world.  We can’t save. However, we can prepare the way and let Jesus do the rest.

All the way to the chopping block John had peace. Zacharias told his son he would be guided into the way of peace. We too can be guided in that same way.