in the footsteps of the master: the life and times of jesus christ the birth of john the baptist...

In The Footsteps Of The Master:In The Footsteps Of The Master:The Life and Times of Jesus ChristThe Life and Times of Jesus Christ

The Birth of John the Baptist

October 19, 2008

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Madness to the MethodMadness to the Method• It may seem as though we are taking a

step backward in the study to cover the birth of John the Baptist after the birth of Jesus

• You are 100% correct!• There was a well-studied rationale behind

this plan, but none of us can remember it• Jesus is the preeminent figure, but John

plays an important role• Their distinctly separate missions will

intersect in coming weeks


Prepare the WayPrepare the Way• Isaiah 40:3

– “A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’ ”

• Isaiah speaks of one who would “clear the way” for the coming of the Messiah


A MessengerA Messenger• Malachi 3:1

– “ ‘Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

• A “messenger” will come before the Messiah, who will surely come … and suddenly


Prophetic SilenceProphetic Silence• After Malachi (circa 430 BC), the Prophetic

voices as we know them ceased– God no longer spoke to His people through

the Prophets

• Psalm 74:9-10 is seen as supporting this:– “We do not see our signs; There is no longer

any prophet, Nor is there any among us who knows how long. How long, O God, will the adversary revile, And the enemy spurn Your name forever?”


Prophetic Silence (cont.)Prophetic Silence (cont.)• 1 Maccabees 4:44-46, a non-canonical,

but historically accurate work also speaks to this (circa 165 BC):– “They deliberated what ought to be done with

the altar of holocausts that had been desecrated. The happy thought came to them to tear it down, lest it be a lasting shame to them that the Gentiles had defiled it; so they tore down the altar. They stored the stones in a suitable place on the temple hill, until a prophet should come and decide what to do with them.”


Prophetic Silence (cont.)Prophetic Silence (cont.)• 1 Maccabees 14:41

– “The Jewish people and their priest have, therefore, made the following decisions. Simon shall be their permanent leader and high priest until a true prophet arises.”

• There were no Prophets and the Jewish nation was painfully aware of it


The Coming of ElijahThe Coming of Elijah• Malachi 4:5-6

– “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

• Malachi speaks of one who will come before the “Day of the Lord”– And a Prophet to boot!


Luke’s AccountLuke’s Account• Read Luke 1:5-17• Question: How old are they?• “Advanced in years” was also used to describe

Abraham and Sarah• Paul in Romans 4:19 wrote that they were “as

good as dead”• Culture viewed being barren as a curse from

God, you displeased God• Zechariah and Elizabeth have served God

faithfully, pleading for a son• Note the connection of verse 17 to Mal 3 & 4


Zechariah’s reactionZechariah’s reaction• Not only are you going to have a son

• Of women, there will never be a greater man born

• He's going to walk in an obedience that shames the rest of Israel

• Read Luke 1:18-20

• Zechariah- “How can that be? I'm old, my wife's older than old. This can’t be. I'm going to need more proof.”


Gabriel’s reactionGabriel’s reaction• God shut his mouth because he doubted• Here this guy's been crying out for 60, 70,

80 years for a son • Gabriel – “Need I remind you that I am

Gabriel? I stand in the presence of the Most High God.”

• God is disciplining Zechariah because He loves him

• After this discipline from the Lord he is going to blow up in worship


Mary Visits ElizabethMary Visits Elizabeth• Read Luke 1:39-46

• Elizabeth doesn't know Mary is pregnant

• Mary walks in, the baby leaps, filled with the Holy Spirit

• “The mother of my Lord” vs. 43 (profound)

• Jesus isn't even born and is being worshiped (He’s an embryo)

• The greatest three decades in the history of the world are about to start and He chose them


Mary’s Song of PraiseMary’s Song of Praise• Read Luke 1:46-56, James 4:6• Song that reveals the heart of man and

how God deals with it..• 3 things about the humble and low in spirit• 3 things about the haughty in spirit / proud• Humility - to understand your sinfulness,

while at the same time understanding the holiness of God

• Those who fear God and humble themselves before Him find His mercy


The Baptist is Born• Read Luke 1:57-66

• God closed his mouthand ears (vs. 62)

• That means thatZechariah is trapped inhis mind for nine months

• He didn't say: “I like John. John is a strong name.” He says, “His name is John!”


Zechariah’s ProphecyZechariah’s Prophecy• Read Luke 1:67-80• Almost every line in this prophecy can be

traced back to the Old Testament • Prophesies about the one who would

come before Jesus– Verse 76 references John as a Prophet– Also ties back to Isaiah 40:2 & Mal 3:1

• Despite it looking very different than he could have ever imagined, God is good, He is merciful, all that He says is true is true


Next WeekNext Week• The Ministry of John the Baptist

in the footsteps of the master: the life and times of jesus christ the birth of john the baptist...

Documents

messiah slide

lord of hosts

messenger malachi

coming of elijah malachi

prophetic silence

birth of john

birth of jesus

coming weeks