Luke 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Like any normal child John grew up. Since his parents were already well advanced in years when he was conceived, the boy probably became an orphan early in life. But both physically and spiritually his development was very good. In fact, he became strong in spirit, filled with excellent mental, moral, and spiritual qualities.

As a young man he lived in uninhabited localities, away from the distractions of men. God guided his life in this way as a preparation for his coming task. Where these wild regions were is not stated. The text does not say John lived as a hermit, the text does not say he did not live as a hermit. We know nothing of his daily life in this time.

Those who plan to influence multitudes should prepare themselves by being alone with God.

John resembles Jesus in this respect; we know all about his birth but very little about his younger years. The imperfect tense used in this construction emphasizes a continuing process, he kept growing, this seems to refer to physical growth without a modifier, refers to bodily growth. The next imperfect seems to refer to his continual gaining of spiritual strength.

It is tempting to try to connect John to the Essenes, because of the notoriety created for the group with the finding of the Dead Sea scrolls. The Bible has nothing to say on this matter. The connection is often made because of the location near the Dead Sea and the desert environment mentioned in this text. He may have known of the Essenes, but there is no evidence of an association between John and the group.

There are several very obvious differences between John and the Essenes.
John was very evangelistic in his preaching. It is obvious from the writings in the scrolls the Essenes had no real interest in outreach.

John welcomed the religious establishment to hear his preaching and called for their repentance. The Essenes wanted nothing to do with anyone associated with the current practices of Judaism.

John was very involved with the common people of the area who came to hear him in large numbers. The Essenes wanted to remain entirely separate in order to maintain their “purity.”

There are several other differences we could discuss, but the point is there is nothing in practice or theology which would connect John to the Essenes.

Rather than trying to create unnecessary historical and theological connections it is better to observe the fact, God chose and used a very “normal” or “average” person.

God is not interested in “superstars;” He is interested in obedience.

Remember what Samuel told Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Luke 1:76-77 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

“The Rising Sun” like “the horn of salvation” in verse 69, describes the Messiah. Through Him God himself will visit the people in order to help and save them. Since we know Zechariah was deeply aware of the prophecies of Malachi (1:17, 76 and Mal. 3:1), he is probably referring to Mal. 4:2, “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The “coming” of this “Sun” has as its purpose: “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” This phraseology is derived from Isa. 9:1, 2, “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

How much scripture do you quote in your praise and prayer time?

Sitting in darkness and death’s shadow indicates a condition of danger, fear, and hopelessness, a longing, with no human help in sight. In Scripture the designation darkness, used figuratively, refers to one or more of the following features:

* Delusion (blindness of mind and heart; 2 Cor. 4:4, 6; Eph. 4:18);

* Depravity (Acts 26:18);

* Despondency (Isa. 9:2; see its context, verse 3).

Though all three qualities are probably in the picture here, yet the emphasis may well be on the last of the three (despondency, hopelessness).

The meaning of these words is Jesus, by his presence, teaching, deeds of mercy and power, would fill the hearts of his followers with the joy of salvation.

No longer would they be suffering in gloom and despair.

No longer do we need to suffer gloom and despair.

Whenever Jesus enters human hearts, the words of a popular hymn go into effect,
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The light of the world is Jesus.

Luke 1:76-77
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

After recalling hundreds of years of God’s work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity, Zechariah personalized the story.

His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, He chooses to work through fragile humans who begin as helpless babies. We must never minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to Him. Zechariah proclaimed what the angel had told him (1:16-17), words Zechariah had at first doubted. John will be called the prophet of the Most High.

Zechariah speaks these same amazing words in a land where the voice of prophecy had been silent for over 400 years.

John would go before the Lord to prepare his ways, as had been predicted by Israel’s last prophet, Malachi (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). John would give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.

The “salvation” referred to in 1:69-71 is here spelled out as “forgiveness of sins.” John would explain this to people as he prepared the way for the Messiah. His message would be “repent,” for only through repentance can sinners find forgiveness.

A Parent’s Prayer
As Zechariah looked at his baby son, so full of potential and promise, could he see what John would become; how John would challenge Roman immorality, how John would die in prison? No, Zechariah could see none of that, only John’s little life to be blessed and used by God.

Every Christian parent can echo Zechariah’s dreams.Before Jesus comes again, many prophets (preachers, teachers, enablers) will tell the world about God’s salvation.

Will your child endure hardship along the way? Don’t worry, God is in control.

Pray that your child will prepare the way of the Lord, helping many find God’s mercy and eternal life.