John 1:6
There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
John's Story
We all have a story and today we can learn about John’s story - not the author of the Gospel of John, but another John, John the Baptist.
Once upon a time there was a man called Zechariah, who was a priest from the tribe of Levi. Zechariah served God in the region of Herod in Judea and was married to a woman named Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were Godly and devout, but they were old and childless. They had prayed for God to heal Elizabeth, but she had remained barren.
One day it was Zechariah’s turn to enter the temple as a priest and to burn incense on the altar of God as part of his priestly duties. This was a once-in-a-lifetime honour. While Zechariah was in the holy place the angel Gabriel appeared at the right side of the altar of incense. Gabriel told Zechariah that his prayers had been answered and that although old, Elizabeth would give birth to a son and this son would be the forerunner to the Messiah. He was to be named John and would be dedicated to God’s service.
One day Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin came to visit her. Mary was pregnant too and she had also been visited by Gabriel and told that she would give birth to the Messiah – the promised rescuer of the people of Israel. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. This encounter between the women sealed their belief that God would fulfil the promises He had made to them about who their sons would be.
John was sent by God to point the way to Jesus. He would grow up to tell God’s people to stop running away from God and start to run toward Him instead. John’s mission was to call people to ready their hearts, so they could know God and love Him and let His light shine in the deep and dark places inside them.
John’s story can be read in the Gospel of Luke in the first chapter.
PROMPT: Today, reflect on your story:
How does your story weave into God’s unfolding plan in the places you find yourself?
Take a moment to think about the next few pages that God is writing in your story.
Why not tell someone your story today?