First Sunday after Trinity – evening
Sunday 23rd June 2019
Trinity 1 – Proper 7 – evening
Birth of John the Baptist
Judges 13. 2-7, 24-end
Luke 1. 5-25
Revd Preb Maureen Hobbs
If you think about it – while every birth is special and unique to the parents involved, nobody thinks of writing an account of a birth unless the child becomes famous, by which time it is likely that their sources have died, disappeared or been stricken by memory loss!
But here tonight we have the birth accounts of two special children, born to fairly ordinary parents, but under extraordinary circumstances. Only God is aware at their conception quite how special they will be – what their part will be in the overarching story of God’s relationship with humanity and with his chosen people of Israel.
Samson was to grow up to be a significant figure in Israelite history. A man of prodigious strength, but flawed as we all are. A man who would be nearly broken by loss and grief. Who would fall prey to the attractions of a femme fatale in Delilah but who would still play a great part in the history of his people by defeating their enemies even at the cost of his own life. A man who would remind his people that God had not abandoned them to foreign oppression, but who would provide salvation – even if they had to wait a long time for it to arrive.
And John, – similarly born to parents who had long given up hope of natural conception. Luke is a great storyteller – it is possible that he had access to Mary, the mother of Jesus for some of the detail in this story – but it is also likely that he has used his artistic creativity in the service of the gospel in the tale that unfolds.
When Luke introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, they are already old and definitely childless. Zechariah is one of a large number of hereditary priests – estimated to be around 18,000, living in Palestine at the time of Jesus. He’s on a rota for light duties at the Temple which involves one week every six months. When we meet him, Zechariah is feeling very pleased as he has won the ballot for a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. He has the opportunity to burn the incense; serving as a call to worship but also symbolising the prayers of the people ascending to God.
Well maybe it is his unspoken prayer that is answered? An angel of the Lord no less – overawing him with terror and fear. Gabriel tells him that his and Elizabeth’s prayers will indeed be answered; their feelings of shame will evaporate. And in addition, the child to be born will be “filled with the Holy Spirit”. Like Samson – and indeed Samuel – before him, he is marked out by God for a special role and must be raised with particular attention to his diet and habits. He is set apart – ordained if you will – already – even before birth.
Zechariah finds it all a bit hard to believe – and who could blame him?! So he falls foul of Gabriel’s temper and as a result has a temporary punishment of silence imposed on him. The crowd outside, waiting to hear the Aaronic blessing proclaimed, are disappointed. Zechariah can only point and gesticulate, leaving them to imagine what can have happened in the sanctuary. When he goes back to his home in the hill country, you can imagine what the neighbours will make of an elderly woman now secluded, and a strong and vocal priest who can no longer speak.
But the birth of John the Baptist will signal the return of the voice of prophecy that has been silent after many years where the word of God has been scarce. He will prove to be the last prophet of the old covenant. He is the man full of the Holy Spirit, who is to identify Jesus the Messiah. And without the stern, declamatory sounds of this wild wilderness man, without his baptism of our Lord, how could we ever hope to be prepared to encounter and receive Jesus into our hearts and lives? He is the man who will remind his people that God does not abandon his promise. Salvation is coming – even if they have still a while for it to arrive…