July 4 Talk, Talk, Talk

Luke 1:62-65 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.
 
IN awe they were talking about “these things”. The “things” were the miracles in Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s life. These remarkable things were big news. Headline news, breaking news – whatever the term is today to grab our attention truly defines the news around John’s birth. Facebook, Twitter, and every other communication app would have been flooded with “these things”.  Yes, this family was big news.
     And how would they talk about these wonderful things? Would they say Zechariah and Elizabeth finally got themselves a baby? Would they say, “Did you hear about Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s good luck? They got their baby boy! They called him Jehochanan. The name means the grace and mercy of Yahweh – what luck!”
     No, they would have talked of God. They called him Yahweh. He is the “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). He is the infinite, personal God, who is the origin of everything. Yes, God has broken into this family to say to Judea, “Here I am! I love you, and I have something grand for you. I have made the impossible happen in this family, and this is a sign for all of you! More impossibles are about to come”
     That “more” is his Savior, who entered into Judea a few months later in Bethlehem. From Judea the news of “these things” has spread throughout the ages and across the globe and to you this very day.
     What now is your response? Have you spoken of “these things” on Facebook and Twitter, etc.? Do you talk of God? Yes, go ahead and talk of his wonders in your life. Talk of the life he has given you. Talk of God’s grace to give you his Son. Talk of God’s love to send you the Holy Spirit to live in you. Talk praise and awe. Tell your church, tell your friends, tell your family and tell the world of God’s good news to come and save you.
 
Prayer: I open my mouth to speak of your great miracles in my life, Lord. Thank you for Jesus, for your Spirit and for your love. Amen.