But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!
Luke 1:46-47
In Luke 1:26, the bible tells us that “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee”. As a result of the overwhelming experience of speaking to Gabriel, Mary immediately ran to Elizabeth’s house where she found some encouragement. Building on this, Luke 1:56 further explains that “Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.” This in effect means that at the time Mary was leaving, Elizabeth was already nine months pregnant and delivery could happen any moment now. It is therefore not surprising to read in ver 57-58 that “When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her”
At this point, congratulations were in order for the family of Zachariah, except that the problem earlier created by the angel Gabriel is about to resurface again. When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” Luke 1:60
Why would they want to name the child Zachariah though? Well, the people were asking Elizabeth the same question ‘Why would you want to name him John?’ “There is no one in all your family by that name.” (Luke 1:61). The basis of the people’s argument is that naming this child John is a deviation from custom but Elizabeth’s position is that God has spoken and if God’s decision is not popular it is still what will be followed. She refused to be bullied into being normal, she wouldn’t settle for anything less than what God had spoken and if that made her and her family unpopular, it was a risk she was willing to take. His name is John! She insisted.
How far will you go to defend your convictions on the things God has spoken to you? There are some of us to whom God has spoken many great things and in speaking with one or two brethren they have convinced you to come down from your high horse, They told you those things are rather ambitious, they told you to take it easy and that sometimes when God speaks you need to find a common sense approach to implement it and not do it precisely as it was commanded. So you’re planning to take the route of compromise but I say to you this morning, don’t name that child Zachariah, God’s ordained name is John. May God grant you the courage to be able to look everyone in the face and say No! His name is John!
Heavenly Father, grant me the courage to stand firm on the convictions and promises you have placed in my heart. In moments of societal pressure and conflicting expectations, may I, like Elizabeth, boldly declare, “His name is John!” Give me the strength to resist compromise and adhere to your divine directives. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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