John the Baptist had been born and the ceremony of circumcision had been performed. Dr. Luke tells us that this special baby grew as all children do. The scene shifts… (NASB) Luke 2:1 “NOW IN those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited world.” […]
(NASB) Luke 1:80 “And the child (John the Baptist) continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” No more is heard of John as a baby, a toddler, teen-ager or even as a young adult. He is not […]
(NASB) Luke 1:78-79 “Because of the tender mercy of God, With which the sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” Because of God’s tender mercy, He sent His only begotten Son into […]
Zacharias gave a prophecy about his son, John; he was speaking as God the Holy Spirit led him. John was going to go to the people of Israel before Messiah would come. John would prepare the way for Him in the minds and hearts of the Jews. The proclamation of John would give knowledge […]
(NASB) Luke 1:76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the most High;” Zacharias was given God’s words concerning his newborn son, John. The Holy Spirit filled Zacharias with His thoughts…and they had come spilling out of his heart and mind. How wondrous to think that this child would be called the […]
(NASB) Psalm 103:1-5 “BLESS THE LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with […]
Zacharias had not spoken one word, not one word, for over nine months. The first words from his lips were to “speak in praise of God.” (See Luke 1:64) It was God Who filled this man with His Holy Spirit to prophesy of the coming Messiah (Jesus was yet to be born). Zacharias […]
(NASB) Luke 1:67-75 “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant – 70 […]
Israel was occupied by Rome– they were under the authority and thumb of the Roman Empire. God had not spoken to His people through any prophets for 400 years. And Zacharias was chosen by God to speak this prophecy at the time of the birth of his son, John the Baptist. (NASB) Luke 1:67-75 “And […]
The following words are prophecy…yet they are spoken as if they had already been fulfilled through the coming Messiah – the LORD Jesus Christ. As you read the Scriptures – think about what God was going to do through His Anointed One, the Messiah. What God has done is for you. (NASB) Luke […]