And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:14-15 ESV)
Yesterday, we concluded our look at the Old Testament with a final significant prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 concerning the forerunner of God’s promised Messiah. As the prophetic ministry of the Prophet Malachi came to a close, a period known as the Intertestamental Period of about 400 years of prophetic silence would arrive in Israel. Try to imagine the silence as no true prophet of God spoke for generations. Imagine the darkness and despair that had no doubt risen in the hearts of God’s people. All that was getting ready to gloriously change!
As we begin looking at the New Testament’s historical records of the activity just before and after the birth of Christ, we will start with a connecting theme: Christ’s forerunner. I challenge you to take some time and read through the Gospel of Luke. Some have a tradition of reading through the 24 chapters of Luke during the month of December, one chapter a day. I know you will be blessed as you read about God’s continued, incredible plan for the redemption of mankind!
Sadly, some have been taught in error that the Old Testament and the New Testament are somehow not related. However, all 66 books of the Holy Scripture are one continuous, beautiful story from Genesis to Revelation. As one commentator said, the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. More simply, the entire Bible is one long story about Jesus. With that truth in mind, Luke picks up where Malachi ended.
In Luke, we meet an incredible couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth. This old couple “were both righteous before God” (see Luke 1:6), and had no doubt prayed many desperate prayers for a child. Just an important side note, righteousness has always come by faith alone not by Law keeping (see Genesis 15:6). As Zechariah and Elizabeth advanced in years, it seemed like God was silent to their prayers. Let this be a reminder, God does not work on our timetable but by His perfect will. You can trust Him, even in the waiting… and wait this couple did!
The Bible tells us that this couple was “advanced in years” and Zechariah himself proclaimed he was an “old man” and that his wife was “advanced in years. Even though this couple was past the age of child bearing and perhaps thought they were too old for God to use them in any significant way, God was preparing to bless and use them mightily! Let this be a reminder: You are never too old or worn out to be used by our gracious God.
As God sent the angel Gabriel to the Temple in Israel to proclaim something incredible to Zechariah, 400 years of deafening silence came to an end. Right there to a seemingly obscure, old priest, the promise of God was proclaimed. The promised forerunner of Christ would be born to this faithful couple. Although John was the last and greatest prophet of the Old Testament era, even his birth would cause joy and gladness. My prayer is that this Christmas season that the wonder and beauty of God’s plan would still stir deep gratitude, rejoicing, and gladness in our hearts!
As Gabriel proclaimed the coming miraculous birth of John and the great joy that would come to many through his birth, we learn of the purpose of the child who would be named John. Gabriel revealed the purpose of John’s life this way: And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:16-17 ESV) This child, who hadn’t even been conceived yet, already had a powerful mission and ministry from God. It is worth reminding you that God knew you before He formed you in your mother’s womb. He knows your story, how your life will turn out, and if you come to Him in humble faith He has an incredible plan to bless your life.
As you meditate on this incredible moment, I want to remind you that God isn’t afraid to invite others into His glorious plan or to have us walk along side Him in His redemptive plans for humanity. We learn later in the Gospels that John’s entire life, ministry, and all His works were designed for one reason: To magnify Jesus Christ (see John 3:30). This Christmas season, I pray that you and I would carefully and prayerfully live with the same eager desire to know and make Jesus known.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who breaks the despair of silence with reasons to rejoice! Thank You for the truth that You are able to use people, regardless of their ages or limitations, for Your glory. Thank You for the truth that You knew us before You ever created us. Lord, we rejoice at the incredible plan of redemption You have weaved together across time. Thank You for inviting us into this incredible story of redemption. Please use us for your glory! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
