Luke 1:57-80


Finishing Luke Chapter 1: The Birth of John the Baptist

We’re finishing Luke Chapter 1 today. We began with Zachariah in the temple, where the angel announces he will have a son, John, who will be the messenger that the Messiah has come.

  • In doubt, Zachariah responds, “My wife is too old for that to happen.” Because of his doubt, the angel silenced him until the birth of his son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:18-20).

  • Zachariah’s prayer for a child, long thought forgotten in old age, reminds us that God hears every prayer. Zachariah’s name means “God Remembers” (Luke 1:13).

At the beginning of the chapter, Zachariah was operating in unbelief—just as we all have at some point. Each of us had to go from unbeliever to believer and put our faith in the work of Jesus.

  • Some are still wrestling with that decision because of friends, family, hurts, loss, the American Dream—many things distract us from truly looking to Jesus as our eternal Savior.

  • Whether distracted or all in, it doesn’t change God’s work. God remembers our prayers and His promises through His Word (Luke 1:20).

God has been at work in creation—His grand designs all point to the origin of a Creator. He has been at work in redemption through Jesus. Only God can make a way for man to follow. True redemption points to Jesus alone.

  • The eternal Creator God, in all His sovereignty, brings salvation—not through works, but through surrender (Luke 1:35).

Mary surrendered right away to God’s plan for her life, saying, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Faith followed by surrender brings humility.

  • Zachariah, much like me, wasn’t ready to jump in with both feet—and that’s okay. He was a priest’s son; I was a pastor’s kid. We both needed to experience God personally and place our faith in Jesus ourselves.

  • Zachariah was religious but through God’s Word, he became a man of faith (Luke 1:67-79).

The Birth of John

“Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her” (Luke 1:57-58).

  • For any Jewish family at this time, having a baby was special, but having a baby boy meant a big celebration—a block party, fitting the customs of the time.

  • More importantly, this was the fulfillment of the angel’s prophecy to Zachariah. John was a boy, and many rejoiced at his birth (Luke 1:14).

  • This is the same pattern seen with Joshua in the Old Testament. God fulfills every promise; He did not miss one, and He doesn’t miss anything today.

“On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias” (Luke 1:59).

  • Circumcision on the eighth day was part of the Law and a covenant sign given to Israel back in Genesis 17 to Abraham.

  • It was a sign that God would fulfill His covenant. We now understand this as sending the Messiah, Jesus. It was a constant reminder to Israel that God remembers His promises.

  • Everything points to God’s faithfulness—even when we feel forgotten or life’s circumstances challenge us (Luke 1:60-63).

Zachariah’s faith grew, and despite tradition or family opinion, he obeyed God’s Word: “His name is John!” (Luke 1:64).

  • Obedience flows from faith. Faith is required for salvation, but faith produces obedience as its fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Zachariah’s Prophecy

“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied...” (Luke 1:67).

  • There had been 400 years of silence from God, not because He had nothing to say, but because His people had turned away.

  • Despite mankind’s unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to His promise to send a Savior—His Son, Jesus (Luke 1:67-69).

  • For the first time in 400 years, the Holy Spirit prophesied about the Savior’s arrival.

We can experience times of silence or doubt, wondering where God is. But God’s message has not changed.

  • We live in a broken world filled with pain and loss, but God’s message is constant.

  • Zachariah was silenced in the temple, unable to bless the people. But now, through the Spirit, he gives a powerful blessing (Luke 1:68-79).

This prophecy focuses first on Jesus:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people... And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David...” (Luke 1:68-69).

  • The horn symbolizes strength (Psalm 18:2). Jesus not only came to save us but gives us the power to live as saved people.

  • All glory belongs to Jesus alone!

The prophecy continues:

“As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets... that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (Luke 1:70-71).

  • This promised political and spiritual deliverance for Israel and for us today.

  • God turns enemies into brothers through love and prayer.

God’s mercy promised to our fathers is remembered:

“To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham...” (Luke 1:72-73).

  • Through faith in Jesus, we become sons and daughters of Abraham and are called to be a blessing to all nations (Romans 4:16).

The purpose of salvation is clear:

“To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life” (Luke 1:74-75).

  • Salvation is not just being saved from something, but saved for something—serving God.

  • We serve God without fear because in Christ, “there is therefore now no condemnation” (Romans 8:1).

John’s calling is revealed:

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways” (Luke 1:76).

  • John’s mission was to prepare people for Jesus.

  • We also are called to proclaim the Gospel and testify so others might believe (Romans 10:17).

John’s role includes:

“To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:77).

  • The Gospel offers forgiveness through Jesus. It’s not about being a good person but about having your heart reconciled to God.

  • No matter who you are or what you’ve done, forgiveness is available through faith in Jesus.

Finally, the prophecy ends with this hope:

“Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).

  • We were content in darkness, separated from God, but God’s mercy reaches us.

  • Christ died for us even while we were sinners (Romans 5:8).

On this Mother’s Day, we see the beauty of godly parenting:

  • Both Elizabeth and Zachariah were filled with the Spirit, supporting each other in faith as Elizabeth spoke with Mary about unborn Jesus (Luke 1:41-45, 57-79).

John grew strong in spirit, living in the wilderness until his public ministry (Luke 1:80).

  • John was seen as eccentric—animal skins, honey—but Jesus called him the greatest man born of woman (Matthew 11:11).

  • This challenges us to rethink what greatness means according to God’s standards.

Living for Jesus, not just in name but in genuine faith, brings true joy—not temporary happiness.

  • “The child grew and became strong in spirit,” though he had nothing worldly (Luke 1:80).

Peace and joy, the Dayspring, come through Jesus alone. He is seeking you now, offering salvation through faith (Romans 10:9).

This Mother’s Day, call out to Him—He is near! Let’s worship.


 

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