The Birth of John the Baptist

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REFLECTION

 

What Then is this Child Going to Be?

by Tom Richards

Today we learn about the birth of John the Baptist. As I read these familiar
verses, the question, “What then is this child going to be?”, jumped out at me. This is a question that is often on our minds when a baby comes into the world. A question that speaks to the potential of each precious life, regardless of the circumstances into which they are born.

IIn the case of John the Baptist, we know from scripture that he was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were “past the age of child bearing”. In some way John was a “cousin” of Jesus through either a blood or marital connection between Elizabeth and Mary. The bible tells us very little about John’s life before ministry. In Luke 2:80 we read “And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.” In Luke 3 we learn that in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (commonly understood to be AD 29) that “the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the desert.” 

This was the beginning of his ministry, a ministry that called people to repentance and prepared the way for the Lord! Of course, most famously, John baptized Jesus. This likely occurred in AD 29-30. All of these events provide answers to the question, “What then is this child going to be?” But perhaps the greatest answer to that question comes from Jesus. In Luke 7:28 Jesus states, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Oh, to hear those words of Jesus be applied to you and me. Can you imagine what that would be like? And yet…  aren’t we as believers among “the least in the kingdom of God”? John was a friend of the bridegroom, but we are part of the church, the bride of Christ! Let that sink in. What an incredible privilege we enjoy.

As we continue to prepare for Christ’s coming during this advent season, the question, “What then is this child going to be?”, can be asked in different ways.  Perhaps we can meditate more on the story of John the Baptist. Perhaps there is a newborn in your family. Perhaps we can give gifts to support causes that support the lives of the unborn and those small ones that are suffering during this special season because of the many challenges that exist in our world. Or perhaps we can ask that question about the One we are preparing for today. The one that is the reason for Christmas, the One who came to be our Savior. The One that holds the key to life itself.

“What then is this child going to be?” What then are we going to be?

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

TUESDAY - UNITY: God of peace, we pray for de-polarized, non-defensive pursuit of truth, unity, and equality. We pray for well engaged minds. Set us free from the competing narratives of our culture wars that funnel us into opposing camps and make of us a house divided. Kindle in us a desire for your truth that is larger than our desire to have been right.