John the Baptist's birth shows two main themes: call and mission. And though most people don't have a mission as dramatic as John's he has a lot to teach all of us nonetheless.
God has plans for all of us that aren't like normal human plans. They are made from the vantage point of eternity. They take into account all circumstances and contingencies They are made with full knowledge of who we are, of our strengths and weaknesses, and what will bring us fulfillment. Worldly plans never have this depth. They are often spontaneous and utilitarian. They have neither sufficient knowledge of the circumstances nor even of what the end goal should truly be. This is why trusting the LORD's plans for us even more than the plans we make for ourselves is so vital.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
Even though God calls us, external observes will probably misunderstand. They will try to judge our situation on the basis of a much more narrow perspective than the one God sees. Even though Zechariah is struck dumb they still assess his situation through their stale old paradigms.
No. He will be called John.”
But they answered her,
“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”
Even as they begin to sense something unusual at work they are by no means clear that it is a good thing.
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
“What, then, will this child be?”
Starting with Zechariah being struck dumb, continuing to John's ministry in the desert. and culimating in the martyrdom of John, people watching by no means see the full scope of God's plan for him. They disbelieve that John is fully living in the will of God for him. After all, in a cost benefit analysis, cost seems to be winning throughout his life.
But there is a deeper truth about John the Baptist and God's plan for him. His parents come to accept this truth after initially disbelieving. And holding fast to this truth is how John has the strength to fulfill his ministry until the end. Trusting in the plan God has for us gives us the strength to fulfill that plan too. These words apply to us all. They inspire us and call us on in trust.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
And the core truth of the mission that God has for all of us is the same. It is to proclaim Jesus the LORD. It is to decrease so that he can increase. This runs contrary to nearly any plan we try to make for ourselves. Only by trusting in God and the grace he gives can we fulfill his purpose for us. And only in doing so do we experience fulfillment.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’
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