John the Baptist's birth is announced

In US thousand are joined with the movement occupying the wall street and here in UK many are joined with the anti-capitalist movements. These are the protests against an economic system. Many of the Biblical narrations describe that God always initiates protest against Falsehood and sin. God anoint many to lead such movements in the history. Every gathering in the name of Truine God is a protest protest against the satanic forces. When we gather here to worship it is a protest against the Satanic forces or systems which bring death in the God given universe.

The passage read today describes God’s intervention in the world through the coming of John the Baptist. A spirit filled man with spirit filled way of life. This text can be read in many perspectives. John the Baptist’s birth was announced during the time when there was no prophets. We could find a big gap in the OT prophets and the prophets described in NT. Let me explore three points from this text

Premise of John the Baptist’s Birth

1. Hope of the world was announced through John the Baptist in the context of a worship and prayer. People were praying at the Sanctuary and Zechariah was at the altar. Angel appeared to Zechariah and announced the birth of John the Baptist as Zechariah’s son. Angel said your prayer has been heard.

2. John is placed in a God Fearing Family in a priestly family. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous before God. They were living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.

Purpose of the Birth of John the Baptist

1. To bring joy to his family and many. Bringing joy means he will be a channel to hear the word of the Lord. Joy is related with the proclamation of God’s will and bringing deliverance to the world. ...but he bought pain to his parents and followers

2. To create a God - Centred premise. To bring many towards God. To bring the disobedient towards God’s obedience and righteousness. To initiate a movement - a reconciled community. A community reconciled with God and fellow beings.

3. To prepare the way for the Lord. Preparing a way is not an easy task. It is not maintaining the status quo. But it is opening a new beginning. It will definitely disturb the advocates of the status-quo …..luke 3:3-9
inter-testament problem...claims...

God’s Preference

1. He will be great in the sight of the Lord. Means he may not be great in the sight of the present world. Greatness of a person is understood very late by the world. But God will consider him/her as great today. That assurance is the only motive to any person who engage in the preparing the way.

2. Materialism and its pleasures will never influence him. He will not drink wine or strong drink. He will not be influenced by the ‘spirits of this world’.

3. He will be filled with Holy Spirit. A person who is controlled, empowered and guided by Holy Spirit. This holy spirit help him to face all the challenges ahead. Alienation, abandonment, and death.

John the Baptist was in this earth for a short span of time. But he will be able to shake the foundations of the Sin through his preaching of repentance

He spoke the truth, stood for truth and faced the consequence of the truth. He was beheaded by the Emperor.

But he was not recognised by the powerful people but he was accepted by the God fearing people. He was accepted and acknowledged by Lord Jesus Christ. “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist” Mathew 11:11