Luke 1:65-66
Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
These verses refer to the birth of John the Baptist. John was an unusual name since it was not of Elizabeth’s or Zechariah’s family. Yet, as Elizabeth names him John and Zechariah seconds it in writing, the people are left in fear. For Zechariah had been silenced until the birth of his son and it was in this naming that he once again regained his voice.
The people are in fear because they have personally sensed the presence of God in this birth and have a feeling that John is going to grow up and do something very impactful. Have you had that fear before? Knowing that God is working in the present moment. I know that I have. It may not necessarily be a fear per se, yet it is that feeling in which the hair on the back of your neck stands up. You know that there is something greater at work in the present situation that can not be explained. It is the mystery of God at work in this world. What a wonderful thing it is to live into that mystery.
Let us pray.
Mysterious God, be with us in our trepidation as we encounter you in our daily walk. Let us not be fearful of the encounter. May we rejoice in it as we allow ourselves to be in greater relationship with you. AMEN.
a mysterious way 