Fri.’s Devo - His Name Shall Be Called John

Read Luke 1:57-64 Finally, Elisabeth has her baby and everyone in her family celebrates. Eight days later he is to be circumcised according to the law (Gen 17:12). It was their custom to pronounce its name for the first time at the circumcism. Just like Abraham and Sarai got a name change at their circumcism (Gen. 17:5, 15), Zaccariah’s baby got a name change. Everyone knew the baby would be named after his dad as was the custom, but this baby was named by God and God chose “John”. God has only named a few babies : John and Jesus. Is. 62:2 says that when God calls the Gentiles in, he will give them a new name. Rev. 2:17 says that those that overcome in the last days will be given a new name. Circumcism has to do with a cutting away of the flesh in a very sensitive area. When we have allowed the Lord to circumcise our hearts, we are given a new name. “John” means “God is a gracious giver”. John’s message would usher in the greatest gift of all - God’s son. At the circumcism, they asked Elisabeth the child’s name and when she said “John”, they wouldn’t believe it till he husband confirmed it. As soon as Zaccariah wrote John’s name on the tablet, his mouth that had been silenced was opened. What a picture of what God was about to do. John’s birth came with signs and wonders. The sign was the opening of his father’s mouth to be able to speak again and the wonder was that a barren woman who was past child-bearing age would have a child. John’s ministry would be to call Israel to repentance so that God through Jesus could bring the promise of life to a barren world. In turn, this would open their mouths to praise God once again. Jesus ministry would multiply many times over the signs and wonders started with John. What would have happened if Zaccharias had disobeyed the Lord and named his son after himself? Would he have messed it up for his son and would he have remained dumb? Probably, but God chose him because he knew he would equip him with the grace to obey. God never calls us to do things he doesn’t first equip us with the power and desire to obey. We are not powerful enough to mess up God’s plan. We have been predestined for greatness!