24th June 2012 Luke 1:57-66, 80 - John the baptist

“When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”. They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”. Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist; we remember his very real calling to be the one who baptised Jesus. We remember how there was a connection between John and Jesus even before they were born.

John the Baptist was called, he followed his calling and he fulfilled his role for Jesus. I have heard people say that his calling wasn't really very important and to that I say RUBBISH!! John had a calling which was needed; as we all do. It is not for us to define what is important to God; we are all needed in his plan.