Read Luke 1:57-80
What’s in a name? I don’t know what exactly it is, but when it comes to babies and names, people feel a lot of freedom to share thoughts and opinions. To avoid hearing those thoughts and opinions, my wife and I never shared the names for any of our children until they were born. Even with that, when our oldest was born one response I remember was, “Oh, um is that a family name?” Parents have all sorts of ways they pick out names for their children. Often, liking the way it sounds or feeling like it “just fits” can be reason enough.
However, throughout scripture when God gives a name it is always to communicate something very specific. The name John can be translated “the Lord has shown favor”. With the giving of that name, John becomes a walking (or crawling) signpost to the graciousness of God. This of course includes graciousness in the favor visited upon Elizabeth and Zechariah, but most importantly it points toward the favor of God in the person of Jesus. Later in life John (“the Lord has shown favor”) directs everyone’s attention to that favor of God, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Prayer: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” Lord, continually direct me to Your favor, Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.