Luke chapter 1 verses 59 – 64 (NIV)
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
When John’s parents came to circumcise him in obedience to the law, those who gathered made assumptions about his name and were surprised when Elizabeth spoke up to correct them. Yet they were unwilling to accept her assertion, and looked to Zecheriah to side with them. To their astonishment, he concurred with Elizabeth, and the result of this obedience was the return of his voice.
Sometimes people will make assumptions about our faith which isn’t right. We need to be bold and speak the truth. They may not be willing to accept it and seek affirmation from someone else. Its another reminder to be willing to speak out when we need to. Elizabeth wouldn’t have been expected to speak out at the circumcision ceremony. Zecheriah would have been expected to take the lead, and in that time, may even have been expected to perform the circumcision himself. There may be a time where we need to put ourselves out there to ensure that the truth is heard. If we do, God will honour our obedience.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful for this example of Elizabeth’s boldness to speak out the truth. Help me to do the same, even if it means going against the flow. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.