This post is Day 24 in a series of studies about “Joy”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Joy – Day 24

So much happened in the short time that Zechariah was behind the veil in the temple. And when he emerged from there, he could not share with anyone what he had seen! His frustration was turned to joy, as the angel had promised, once the long awaited son was born.

Luke 1:14

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.

The Thought

These verses are not talking about Jesus as we might imagine at first reading. They were spoken to Zechariah the priest when an angel appeared to tell him that he and his ageing wife would have a son. That must have been one of the biggest surprises of this priest’s life. The next big surprise followed very quickly when Zechariah was made dumb because of his unbelief!

How frustrating that must have been. So much happened in the short time that Zechariah was behind the veil in the temple. And when he emerged from there, he could not share with anyone what he had seen! His frustration was turned to joy, as the angel had promised, once the long awaited son was born.

The joy at his birth was also predicted by the angel. And not just at that time, but once he was an adult too, because John, known as “The Baptist”, went on to fulfill his calling and be a baptiser of many. He must have been responsible for giving joy and hope to many who heard him speak reminding them of things they had heard of from the prophets of the Old Testament.

We don’t see John as a joyful person when we read the little that is written about him in the New Testament. But His promise that the Messiah was coming shortly after him (Luke 3:16) certainly brought joy to many.

Action

Read the two chapters of the New Testament (Luke 1 & 3) that tell us the most about John the Baptist. Take time to appreciate the emotions there, the unbelief of Zechariah, the joy at John’s birth when Zechariah and Elizabeth were past child-bearing age; the joy of many when they repented and were baptised.

Pray for those you know who do not believe in the promises of God.

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