These words were spoken by the angel Gabriel to Zacharias announcing the birth of John, who would earn the title "the Baptist." The priest and his wife Elizabeth were already "advanced in years" when he received this startling news. They no longer anticipated having a child, not only because of their age, but also because Elizabeth was barren. They were, however, a godly couple. Both were descendants of Aaron, and Zacharias was a member of the priestly order of Abijah. In fact, he was performing his duty to offer incense in the Temple when Gabriel appeared to him. Moreover, Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary of Nazareth who, about six months later, was to be chosen to give birth to Jesus Christ. Besides all this, it is said of this couple that "they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord," (v.6). It was only such a couple that the Lord would chose to have the honor of bringing forth and rearing the herald of Christ, of whom Jesus Himself said, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist," (Mat. 11:11).
Gabriel told Zacharias that the birth of John would bring him "joy and gladness." Anyone who is worthy of becoming a parent will eagerly anticipate the birth of the child and, when it arrives, will be overcome with joy and gladness. It is indeed sad that many people receive the news of pregnancy with regret and resent the child when it comes. Some even take the tragic step of having the poor child aborted, snuffing out its life before it ever has the chance to be born. Such is the cruel animosity of the mother and/or father toward a budding life that has done nothing to deserve such a fate except to come into existence. In a world that seems to become more beastly with each new day, a child is very fortunate to be born to parents who welcome its arrival with "joy and gladness."
The angel also told Zacharias that "many will rejoice at his birth." That is, not only would John's birth bring joy and gladness to the parents, but it would cause multitudes to rejoice as well. This does not mean that they would rejoice in immediate response to the news of his arrival. When John was born, most likely he was not noticed beyond the small circle of the family and local village. He was just another Jewish baby born to a rather obscure couple out in the country. The only probable interest was that a baby had been born to an elderly couple. What the angel really meant, therefore, was that with the passage of time, as John performed his work with its immensely beneficial results for mankind, people would look back and "rejoice at his birth."
When people hear about the man in prison who murdered several people, do they look back to his birth and rejoice over his entry into their society? And what about the person whose traffic in drugs corrupts the lives of hundreds? What about the one whose filthy lifestyle influences crowds of others to adopt it also, because he/she is a popular public figure such as an entertainer or athlete? Or what about those who gain political or military power and then abuse it by oppressing or persecuting millions? Do people look back to the birth of such characters and rejoice? Certainly not! They lament the occasions as dark days in history. But what is the difference between the development of a benefactor like John and a malefactor like Hitler? There are many factors to be sure. But one of the most powerful is the influence of such parents as Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were "both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord," (v.6). As they thus walk down the path of life, they are firmly holding in their hands the tender hands of their children. When they must finally turn them loose, and let them walk on their own, they will at least be started on the right road and pointed in the right direction.
