Before Jesus was born, there was Elizabeth.

 

        

        Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist

              

 

Elizabeth longed for a child. While the village children laughed and played near her home, she hung her head and hid behind her door. If she visited the market, the women pointed at her, whispering behind their hands, snickering. Why hadn’t God answered her prayers? Zechariah, an upright Levite priest of the division of Abijah had served at the temple in Jerusalem with faithfulness. Since he was due to travel there again, she hoped the village would leave her alone. [1].

 

Zechariah encouraged her to keep praying because God blessed Abraham and Sarah with Isaac in their later years and Israel existed because of this miracle. Perhaps her husband was right. When God healed her womb, she would hold their child in her arms.  

 

 The weeks passed, the priest returned from his service at the temple, and Elizabeth greeted him with joy.

 

“How was your service and the return journey?”
He nodded, but his eyes were tired. He pointed to his mouth and shook his head.

“What has happened to you? Can’t you speak?”

He looked around the room for his writing tablet, sat at the table, and wrote her a message.

 

 ‘I’m deaf, but it’s grand news, Elizabeth. I saw an angel in the temple. He terrified me, but he assured me you will have a son, and his name will be John. We have waited so long; I didn’t believe him. He told me he was the angel Gabriel, sent from God. Our son will be a Nazirite who will preach repentance to Israel and prepare them for the Messiah. I’ll remain speechless until he is born.’

“Oh Zechariah! The Lord is good. A son and a Nazarite! How marvellous!”

 

And soon, Elizabeth confirmed the wonderful news. As her waistline expanded, she prepared for her baby boy away from prying eyes. Soon the village would laugh no longer, and as she sang and praised the Lord, her shame melted.

 

 

“The Lord has favoured me and removed my disgrace.”

 

The baby kicked against her ribs. According to her calculations, she would deliver him in three months. She heard footsteps behind her, and she turned to greet a visitor, a young woman.

 

“Elizabeth, it’s a joy to see you and hear about the blessing of your baby.”

 

“Mary! How good you have come to us and welcome to our humble home! Oh!” She clutched her stomach, steadying herself against the wall.

“Are you well?”

 

 “Yes, I will be fine. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you are carrying! Why has God sent you to me since you’re the mother of my Lord? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb leapt for joy. God will bless you because you have believed in and accepted his purpose for you.”

 

Elizabeth thought about Zechariah, and how they had doubted the Lord. Yet young Mary had humbly trusted and accepted God’s amazing promise to be the Messiah’s mother. Life was hard for Mary because of the circumstances of her pregnancy. She was betrothed to Joseph, and she had become pregnant before the marriage, but he claimed he wasn’t responsible. Although Joseph hadn’t divorced her, no-one could curb the cruel rumors circulating in Nazareth, which claimed she should be stoned. But Elizabeth welcomed her cousin while they shared the bond of motherhood. Israel’s future lay in these babies’ lives, a privilege and a sacred honour before the Lord, since she believed her cousin’s incredible story. The same angel Gabriel, who had appeared to Zechariah, had visited Mary, and Elizabeth knew she must serve God by caring for the younger woman.

 

 

 And after three months, the villagers gathered in the street outside Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home.

 

“Have you heard the news? Elizabeth has a son! After all these years, the Lord God has shown her mercy, and given her another Zechariah, to carry the family name. Shall we visit her and the new baby?”

 

    As Elizabeth cradled the little boy in her arms, her neighbours gathered around her, offering their congratulations and gifts. A warm satisfaction, a gratitude towards God, rose in her heart. This child would serve God as a Nazirite, one consecrated to the Lord, rather than a priest in the temple, like his father.

 

“Little Zechariah is a handsome child, Elizabeth.”

“Yes, but his name is John.”

 

“Since there’s no-one in your family called John, why would you choose such a name? What does his father think?”

 

They made signs to Zechariah, and he pointed to his writing tablet. The onlookers watched as he wrote. ‘His name is John.’

He lifted his hands in worship to the Lord, and from his lips he poured forth praise.

 

“Praise the Lord because he has redeemed his people. He has sent us salvation through David’s house, as he promised us long ago.”

 

They gasped at the sound of his voice.

 

“He can speak! What will this child do in Israel?”

 

                                                                            ******

 

 

The name, ‘John,’ means ‘God is gracious,’ or ‘ God’s gift.’ Zechariah and Elizabeth appreciated John’s birth and understood why they had waited for him. As Jesus’s herald, God timed John’s birth to fulfil prophecy.

 

Patience isn’t one of my strongest virtues because it’s troublesome to wait for answers to my needs or heartfelt desires. We yearn for a partner or a child, or we work towards a goal and it stretches beyond our reach. But after reading Elizabeth’s story, I sense God’s timing is paramount. Only the Lord knows the implications of my desires, and how to weave them into his perfect will.

 

“All the days you planned were written in your book before they happen.” Psalm 139:16.

 

While we wait on the Lord, we learn to trust him, to appreciate a superior option which we had never imagined. How could I understand compassion unless I endured suffering for a season? How do I learn God’s peace unless I walk through troubled times? He refines me through fiery trials as he moulds me into his likeness. Job suffered the loss of his family, home and health, but discovered God’s character. “He knows the way I take. When he has tested me, I will come out as pure gold.” Job 23:10.

 

Waiting, pain, and hardship are unpleasant, but the Lord is faithful.

 

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! Those trained in this way will experience a peaceful harvest of right living.” Hebrews 12:11.

 

And consider the joy when God showers his riches on us! Prophets waited for centuries for the Messiah. History revolves around his life, death and resurrection, and we are the recipients of his grace. If we hold Jesus dear to our hearts, he will provide the strength we need because, as the scripture records, “Joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

                   [1] https://www.bibleversestudy.com/luke/luke1-division-of-abijah.htm