THE YOUNG JESUS
by Charlene & Friedhelm Dohmann

Zacharias and Elisabeth

Luke's report of the birth of Jesus begins approximately a year before the journey to Bethlehem with the conception and birth of John, later to be called John the Baptist. Zacharias and Elizabeth, a pious older married couple, who lived in the highland of Judah, had remained childless although both led godly lives and conducted themselves in all things as the Lord directed "And they were both righteous before God, walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6) The apostle emphasizes this fact, because in the traditional Jewish belief, barrenness was a sign that a wife did not stand in the mercy of God. Elizabeth lived day in and day out with the sign of divine blame - or at least she believed that - and had given up all hope to ever have a child.

One day Zacharias, in the custom of the priest's office, was burning incense before the Lord. Suddenly an angel stood beside the altar of incense and declared that Elizabeth would bear a son. The child would be filled with the Spirit of God. He should be called John. He would possess the same spirit and the same power as the Prophet Elias. John would turn many Jews to the Lord and prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.

Zacharias, who was deeply frightened, asked how he should know the angel was right? Elizabeth was old and could only conceive through a miracle. The angel said that he was Gabriel and sent by God and since Zacharias did not believe him, he could not speak a word of this meeting until the day of his son's birth. When Elizabeth found she was pregnant, she praised the kindness and mercy which God had shown her.

This report of Zacharias and Elizabeth has striking similarity with other events in the bible. Both Abraham with Sarah and Manoah with his wife had remained childless; evidently because the women were barren (Sara to the age of 90 years). Then each bore a son: Isach and Samson. In both cases a miracle had occurred which was proclaimed through an angel of the Lord, or through the Lord Himself. The ones who heard it feared and fell to the ground. Then came rumors of the child that would soon be born, and what his future life would be. In Isach's case, it was also said which name he should bear. The story of John's birth fits exactly in this framework and prepares the readers for the most important of all births, the delivery of Jesus.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth. He appeared to the Virgin Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, and said: "Hail Mary, the Lord is with you; you are highly favored!". Mary was deeply frightened, and wondered what this greeting might mean. The angel continued: "Fear not, Mary! You have found mercy with God. You will become pregnant and bring a son into the world. You should give him the name Jesus. He will be very great, and be called the son of God. God will give him the Throne of David, and he will reign over the descendants of Jacob. His dominion will never end." Mary asked the angel: "How can this be? I have not been with a man." Gabriel answered: "The Spirit of God will come over you, and His power will bring it about. Furthermore Elizabeth, your relative, will get a son - despite her age. They said about her, she can bear no children. However, nothing is impossible for God." Mary believed the words of the angel and said; "I am the servant of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word."

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