A Foundation of Grace: His Name is John

"His name is John."

Last night I was watching The Nativity Story, and when it got to the part where Zechariah wrote on the tablet, "His name is John," those words leapt off the screen at me!!!

When Zechariah was visited by the angel, Gabriel told him what to name the baby. This was no coincidence. It wasn't something haphazard, just because God thought his name should be John. It was pregnant with purpose, just like Elizabeth soon would be.

John. The name means "the Lord is gracious."

John the Baptist would be the forerunner of Jesus, and just like the angel said, he would,

He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born. As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents’ attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God’s approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord.-Luke 1:14-17

I have often looked at John from a more religious and zealot like perspective. He often seemed like a condemning outlaw to me. I think other people might have the same perspective.

When you know what his name means, it totally changes your perspective of everything. He would be the prophet to usher in the Age of Grace.

His name is John. It just keeps rolling around and around in my heart.

May preparations for your Christmas season be a season of Grace, knowing that Grace itself has come into the world!

Merry Christmas!

~Beth

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