July 3 Announcer

Luke 1:59-61 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
 
WHAT’S in a name? What does it matter which name this little boy has? Yes, God through his messenger Gabriel told dad Zechariah to name him John. And obviously Zechariah had written it down for his Elizabeth to know. But what does it matter?
     The matter of the right name indicates something about God. This is the something we need to know: God always acts to point us to him, even with these seemingly small details. Names in the Hebrew culture mean a great deal. To us, “John” doesn’t seem that special. To Zechariah, Elizabeth, the Jews nation and to God “John” means a great deal.
     “John” in Hebrew is written Jehochanan or Yªhowchanan and means “the grace or mercy of Yahweh.” John is so named because he was to go to the Jews and announce the God of all grace was about to step into the world! Grace and Mercy would come in the flesh to save the world from sin.
     Powerful, isn’t it? Each time his parents, relatives and friends would say “John”, they would be reminded that God had a very special plan for his life. John is the great Announcer of God’s mercy, and he will personally point to the Messiah. He is the last of a long line of Old Testament prophets who announced God’s promise in the form of such magnificent Scripture as Isaiah 9:5-7 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
     Joyfully, the zeal of the Lord God has brought John to earth to announce His Son. Hear what John will announce: “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" (John 1:23). “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” (John 1:32) “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) These announcements revealed Jesus to his first disciples, and they began to follow him.
     Yes, God loves you so much he worked out all the details of your salvation. All Scripture announces God’s salvation for his disciples. Will you follow Jesus, too?
 
Prayer: Open my mouth Father to declare, “See Jesus is the Savior of the world. Confess him. Repent and follow him.” In Jesus’ love, amen.