Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:13-17

 

Key Verse:

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. (Luke 1:32)

 

What does this passage teach us?

We learn here, for one thing—that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed. Zachariah, no doubt, had often prayed for the blessing of children—and, to all appearance, had prayed in vain. At his advanced time of life, he had probably long ceased to mention the subject before God, and had given up all hope of being a father. Yet the very first words of the angel show plainly that the bygone prayers of Zachariah had not been forgotten, “thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”

We shall do well to remember this fact, whenever we kneel down to pray. We must beware of hastily concluding that our supplications are useless—and especially in the matter of intercessory prayer in behalf of others. It is not for us to prescribe either the time or the manner in which our requests are to be answered. He who knows best the time for people to be born—knows also the time for them to be born again. Let us rather “continue in prayer,” “watch unto prayer,” “pray always, and not faint.”

We learn, in the second place—that no children cause such true joy, as those who have the grace of God. It was a child about to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to whose father it was said, “Thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.”

Grace is the principal portion that we should desire for our children. It is a thousand times better for them than beauty, riches, honors, rank, or high connections. Until they have grace—we never know what they may do. They may make us weary of our life, and bring down our grey hairs with sorrow to the grave! When they are converted, and not until then, they are provided for—both for time and eternity. “A wise son maketh a glad father” (Proverbs 10:1). Whatever we seek for our sons and daughters—let us first seek that they may have a place in the covenant, and a name in the book of life.

We learn, in the third place, the nature of true greatness. The angel describes it, when he tells Zachariah that his son “shall be great in the sight of the Lord.”

The measure of greatness which is common among men—is utterly false and deceptive. Princes and potentates, conquerors and leaders of armies, statesmen and philosophers, artists and authors—these are the kind of men whom the world calls “great.”

Such greatness is not recognized among the angels of God. Those who do great things for God—they reckon great. Those who do little for God—they reckon little. They measure and value every man according to the position in which he is likely to stand at the last day and through eternity.

Let us not be ashamed to make God’s angels our example in this matter. Let us seek for ourselves and our children, that true greatness which will be owned and recognized in the eternal world. It is a greatness which is within the reach of all—of the poor, as well as the rich—of the servant, as well as of the master. It does not depend on power or patronage—nor on money or friends. It is the free gift of God to all who seek it at the Lord Jesus Christ’s hands. It is the portion of all who hear Christ’s voice and follow Him—who fight Christ’s battle and do Christ’s work in the world. Such may receive little honor in this life. But their reward shall be great at the last day!

We learn, in the fourth place, that children are never too young to receive the grace of God. Zachariah is informed that his son “shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”

There is no greater mistake than to suppose that infants, by reason of their tender age, are incapable of being operated upon by the Holy Spirit. The manner of His work upon a little child’s heart, is undoubtedly mysterious and incomprehensible. But so also are all His works upon the sons of men. Let us beware of limiting God’s power and compassion. He is a merciful God. With Him nothing is impossible.

Let us remember these things specially in the training of young children. We should always deal with them as responsible to God. We should never allow ourselves to suppose that they are too young to have any religion.

Of course we must be reasonable in our expectations. We must not look for evidences of grace, unsuitable to their age and capacities. But we must never forget that the heart which is not too young to sin—is also not too young to be filled with the grace of God.

We learn, in the last place, from these verses—the character of a really great and successful minister of God. The picture is set before us in a striking manner, by the angel’s description of John the Baptist. He is one who will “turn hearts”—turn them from ignorance, to knowledge; from carelessness, to thoughtfulness; from sin, to God. He is one who will “go before the Lord”—he will delight in nothing so much as being the messenger and herald of Jesus Christ. He is one who “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” He will strive to gather out of the world, a company of believers who will be ready to meet the Lord in the day of His appearing.

For such ministers, let us pray night and day. They are the true pillars of a Church—the true salt of the earth—the true light of the world. Happy is that Church, and happy is that nation—which has many such men. Without such men, learning, titles, financial endowments, and splendid buildings—will keep no Church alive. Souls will not be saved—good will not be done—Christ will not be glorified, except with men full of the Holy Spirit.

Review Questions:

1. What is the theme of chapter 1?
2. How does the world define “greatness?” How does the Bible define true greatness?
3. Can God give His Holy Spirit to little children as well as adults?
4. What made John the Baptist a great minister of the Lord? What was the effect of his ministry?

 

Family Application Questions:

1. Is there a prayer request we have been bringing to the Lord for a long time? What are some of the reasons that the Lord does not answer the prayer as fast as we want?
2. What are some evidences of God’s grace at work in the hearts of children? Spend time in prayer asking for the increase of God’s grace in your home.