JOHN: GOD IS GRACIOUS

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah and announced the good news that his wife will bear a son, Zechariah doubted God’s plan, and he was made mute. Should uncertainties and skepticism ensued in our faith in God, we are better off mute. Muteness silences us. And silence is the language of God. In silence, God communicates his will and desire for us. The silence of the baby in the womb of Elizabeth made Zechariah contemplate upon the fulfillment of God’s promise to him. The silence of those nine months prepared Zechariah to the hope that his son would usher in not just to him but to all humanity. After nine months of silence, surely Zechariah had so much to say, yet foremost of these is the great thing the Lord has done to him: the fulfillment of a promised Savior.

As no word or speech can contain it, the joy of being a new father; of a promise fulfilled, found its way through a song. Through his canticle (Benedictus), Zechariah blesses the Lord; He sang for the good things he had received from the Lord. Through the birth of his son, John the Baptist, the doubts in the heart of Zechariah were dispelled. God’s fulfilled promise drove out the fears and uncertainties from Zechariah doubting heart. Not only Israel, but also, Zechariah was set free from the slavery of unbelief, and was cast out of the darkness of sin. With faith in God, he was able to say good things about the Lord (for a faithful heart is a grateful heart). What else can we say (or sing) about God if not His goodness and kindness towards us.

Zechariah named the grace he had received from the Lord, John(יוֹחָנָן: Yochanan), meaning the Lord is gracious. Naming his grace was not even of Zechariah’s doing. He was able to sing his grateful heart out because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Indeed, in the end, all is God’s grace for truly God is gracious.

Should we have nothing but doubts and disbelief, be mute, be silent. In silence, contemplate the goodness of God unfolding before our eyes. In the end, like Zechariah, may we sing for the good the Lord has done to us. Like the psalmist may we forever sing the goodness of the Lord.