{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Luke: Yahweh Remembers","description":"Scripture Reading: Luke 1:5-25 In his recounting the life of Christ, Luke begins with the announcement, not of the birth of Christ, but of John the Baptist.  John would be the prophesied herald of the Messiah.  In the first two chapters of his gospel, Luke draws a connection between John and Christ, by means of alternating accounts of each man.  This literary devise emphasizes the wonder of the coming of the Son of God into the world. First, there is the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist ... then there is the announcement of the birth of Christ.  Next, there is the birth of John ... then there is the birth of Jesus.  On display in the story of Zechairah and his wife, Elizabeth are stunning glories of God.  We see in this account the promise of God, fulfilled in the birth of the pledged forerunner of Christ.  The Old Testament ends with the promise of the herald of Messiah.  John the Baptist is the evidence of the faithfulness of God to His promise. On display here is the power of God, granting a child to an old, barren woman.  On display here is the plan of God, bringing to pass His design to save people from their sins.  John will prepare the way for the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  This passage is more than a heart-warming story of an elderly couple gaining a longed-for child.  It is the account of the living God, who is worthy of our devotion and adoration and complete trust.  ","author_name":"Bethel Baptist Church","author_url":"https:\/\/bethelbaptistscs.org\/","html":"