(80) And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his
shewing unto Israel.
It is a blessed account of John, in the close of the chapter. He grew, and was in the deserts, until he entered upon his ministry. Untaught of men, unacquainted even with the person of his Lord, until taught of the Holy Ghost, how to know him; but then giving the highest attestation to the greatness of Christ's character, while declaring the littleness of his own. See John 1:19-34
REFLECTIONS
Reaper! let, you, and I, at the very portal of this precious Gospel, stand and pause, before we hastily enter into the perusal of its blessed contents, and look up, and praise the Almighty Author, of His holy word, for such a profusion of mercies, as are here made known unto us; while we entreat the same glorious Lord to be our teacher, into a right understanding of those mysteries of godliness, to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Was it not enough to have given the Church the inspired records, concerning our Lord, in the precious relation by Matthew and Mark; but would our bountiful Lord add the Gospel, according to Luke, and John also? Oh then! do thou, blessed Lord the Holy Ghost, accompany the whole with thy divine teaching, that we may know the things, which are so freely given us of God; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Behold, Reader, in this chapter, the unbelief of Zacharias. Behold the faith of Mary and Elizabeth! To what, or to whom, shall we ascribe these things, but to distinguishing grace? Oh! may it be our happiness, to believe the record, which God hath given of his dear Son. And while we have faith, to this testimony of God; may we never lose sight of what the Holy Ghost hath taught by his servant, the Apostle; when he saith, Unto you it is given to believe in his name.
Reader! let us ponder over, again and again, the wonderous subject here recorded, of the miraculous conception. Let us view the distant prophecies, so many ages before, declaring the unheard of, unthought of, event: and then behold, as related in this Chapter, the accomplishment; until our souls are warmed with the contemplation, and we feel constrained to cry out with the Apostle, Great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in our flesh! And oh! for grace to join in those hymns, both of Mary and Zacharias, from a personal interest in the same subject. Surely our souls may well rejoice in God our Savior, when through the mercy of our God the day-spring from on high hath visited us.