59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
It had been nine unbearable months since Zechariah could speak. His tongue was held captive by God because he didn't believe his wife would have a child. But alas, he had seen with his old eyes his old wife come to this moment. It was talk of the town, but he couldn't say a word.
Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and some of the people had shown up to share in her new joy. They knew God had shown her great mercy and wanted simply to take part of that. If nothing else, this would be a great story.
For eight days Zechariah was able to hold his son, but not speak to him. Oh, what he had to say. He wanted to tell of what a fool he was for thinking this day would never come. His mind flashed back nine months earlier to the moment he questioned that angel. In a way, he was maybe grateful for the time spent just able to watch a miracle happen. Too often we get involved in wanting to take part in the wonders of God that we forget to just sit back and watch them unfold. Zechariah was in a position to only watch and act as he saw things happen.
And Elizabeth -- I'm sure there were many a moments she was so thankful Zechariah couldn't open his mouth. She had every last word. That is, until the eighth day came to circumcise their son. The people then asked what the name of the child would be. Until this time, he was nameless. Maybe they just referred to him a their joy, their blessing as any parent does. But now, a name. Something that was etched in stone. Someone mentioned naming him after his father, but Elizabeth said, "No! He is to be called John." This confused the people watching. No one in their family was named John. What heritage were they trying to follow? Surely, Zechariah would want his son named after him. So they asked him, made signs to him it says. This implies that he wasn't paying attention to what was going on. He asked for a tablet to write down his thoughts. To everyone's amazement he said, "His name is John."
A sensation went throughout Zechariah's body. Maybe a cough was let out, a clearing of his throat -- and then the realization -- his eyes got big and he spoke. It says he praised God. He might have given thanks for John, for finally freeing his tongue. Now he was not just watching the miracle unfold, he was the miracle. Because of this, they wondered what John would become, for the Lord was with him.
Hey God,
There are times I feel You should quiet my tongue. I talk too much, and too much for my own satisfaction; for my own glory. Let me feel that sense of praising You because it is You alone that allows me to speak. Let my words be Yours, and Yours be mine. I love You.
Amen.
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