October 25 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Luke 1:57-65

⁵⁷Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
⁵⁸And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
⁵⁹And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
⁶⁰And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
⁶¹And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
⁶²And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
⁶³And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
⁶⁴And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
⁶⁵And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Devotional:

Naming a baby can be a difficult task. Some parents look for a name that is particularly euphonious. Some use the initials of the parents. Some name a child after a relative or friend. Some research name meanings and use one that seems appropriate. Some choose Biblical names exclusively.

We don't get disturbed, however, about what our neighbors call their new baby! Even if they call him Hezekiah Hildebrand Hoffminster we don't make too much of a fuss. Maybe sometimes we should make a fuss in defense of the poor child who will be bearing this label all his life, but we don't.

Among the Jews of the first century A.D. the custom of naming a son after his father, or at least after someone in his family, was so prevalent that to give the name John to this boy caused quite a stir. The neighbors were up in arms. And their amazement was heightened when the announcement of the child's name caused the obedient father to regain his speech!

Why did God do this strange thing? And why did He put this account in the Bible? What does He have here for us?

Zacharias would have been a good name. It means 'Jehovah has remembered.' Is John any more appropriate? This name means 'Jehovah has been gracious.'

It is difficult to see any greater significance of the name John over Zacharias. It is more likely that God wanted to choose the name Himself to underline the fact that this child was very special to Him. It is certain that He was teaching Zacharias and Elizabeth a choice lesson in His interest and care.

It is not so vital today what we name our children. We do not expect God to give us a name in a supernatural way. What we can learn from Zacharias is complete acceptance of God's will! It was not, 'We have decided ...' It was 'His name is John!'