Deeper Reflection
John’s birth would be a wonderful blessing to his parents and many people! After many years of waiting, Zechariah and Elizabeth would finally have a child – more than that, he would be a special son set apart by God for His work! From the time of conception, John would be filled with the Holy Spirit. The consecration of John’s life was like that of one taking a Nazirite vow¹⁹ .After John grew up, he would exercise a prophetic ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit and turn many Jews to the Lord their God. He would also “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children” (v.17). This is a beautiful picture of the reconciliation of broken relationships within families. Verse 17 makes it clear that John would go before the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. In other words, John would exercise an Elijahlike prophetic ministry to prepare the way of the Lord (cf. Matt 11:7-15). This is in fulfilment of the promise that God made at the closing of the Old Testament, in the final chapter of the book of Malachi, where God promised to send a prophet to prepare the way before the Lord (Mal 4:5-6, cf. Jn 1:19-23).People who are in a state of rebellion and disobedience against God will certainly face God’s wrath and judgment. They must turn from their wicked ways to make the wise choice to humble themselves, repent of their sins, and believe in the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and salvation in His name. May we as Jesus’ disciples help to turn their hearts Godward.

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¹⁹ Cf. Numbers 6:2-12.