Study Desk

for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.

When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.

For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever."

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.

But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!"

He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone's surprise he wrote, "His name is John."

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David,

just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.

He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—

You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.