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Zechariah wrote, \\u201cHis name is John.\\u201d\\xa0 Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God (Luke 1:63-64).

We left Zechariah speechless at the temple. When the birth of John was announced to him, he could not believe it, so the Lord gave him a sign for reflection: He would be unable to speak until all was fulfilled. Then he would know that God does what God says. Our text picks up the story some nine months later. Much has changed.

Zechariah has changed. As a righteous man, he has learned from his mistake. Through the pain of the discipline, he emerges a stronger man of God. He testifies to God\\u2019s grace. Those who are arrogant, thinking they know it all, have no need for God or for instruction. Zechariah is not one of those.

While Mary and Elizabeth have much to teach us about faith in God, so does Zechariah. He is portrayed as a mature and pious man who still has much to learn about trusting God. He is a spiritual man who discovers we can never coast on past spirituality.

Often, we are tempted to put our spiritual well-being on cruise control. Christians can get to a place where they do not expect anything new from God, no new calling, no new spiritual insights, no more maturation. \\xa0It is a joy to see an elderly saint who lives in expectation of knowing the Lord more fully and serving Him more deeply. What an encouragement such a person is to a younger saint. How thrilling to meet those who see their walk with God as a challenge and that the thrill of divine involvement in life has not waned. It causes one to desire to keep on keeping on.

Zechariah reveals that even good old saints can still grow up and learn to walk in deeper trust with God. That simple lesson comes to the fore in his naming his child John even though others want to name him something else. The whole family and the whole neighbourhood have come for the event. As Luke tells the story, they have taken charge. They want the boy named after his father. But Elizabeth objects. However, but she is just a batty old woman. That is not the way we do things around here. So, they turn to the boy\\u2019s father, the whole crowd of them, \\u201cZechariah, junior, right?\\u201d

Nope.

His whole family (and his in-laws) and his whole village are standing in his way. But Zechariah will walk where God tells him to walk. The pressure of custom will not become a reason to disobey God. Peer pressure and the attitudes of the world can often make us act in ways that differ from where God would take us. Whether in values, entertainment, or the way we do business, the world\\u2019s ways are not God\\u2019s ways. Zechariah has learned to hear God and not the customs of the world.

During the months of Elizabeth\\u2019s pregnancy, while God\\u2019s promise was slowly coming to pass, Zechariah was learning that God makes good on his promise in his own timing and in his own way. He has learned this lesson, and his obedience becomes public, \\u201cHis name is John\\u201d which means, \\u201cgraced by God.\\u201d Zechariah has been graced by God. And he is delighted.

Though you walk in darkness, may you see the great light. Though you live in a land of deep shadows\\u2014may you see light! sunbursts of light! May God increase your life, expand your joy. May you be glad in his presence! May God give you the joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings (cf. Isaiah 9:2-3 MSG).