DECEMBER 13 WHAT’S IN A NAME? By Drew Burtis Dean of Students, Word of Life Bible Institute, New York
Today’s Passage: Luke 1:57–66
Names have significance. Maybe that is true for you. There is a likelihood that your parents intentionally named you, driven by a desire to have that name represent something deeper about you. This is what we find in today’s passage. Prior to the birth of Jesus, there was another born. John the Baptist, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was to be the chosen one to pave the way for the Messiah. He would preach repentance and baptism as the time for the Messiah drew nearer and nearer. But what I find fascinating is the choice of his name. Originally, others wanted him to be named after his father, Zechariah. But both Zechariah and Elizabeth listened to the angel (Luke 1:13) and named him John. Here’s the significance: Zechariah means “the Lord has remembered”, and John means “the Lord has been gracious.” But John isn’t the grace the Lord has shown. He just points to and paves the way for the ultimate display of grace from God: the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God. Be encouraged by John’s place in the Christmas story. In Zechariah, the Lord remembers. In John, the Lord is gracious. And in Jesus, the Lord saves His people from their sin. He brings the Messiah near to redeem His people. John’s name speaks a greater name into the story. He prepares the way by saying this: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
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