The story of the birth of john the baptist – जॉन द बैपटिस्ट के जन्म की कहानी
The story of the birth of John the Baptist is an important event in Christian tradition, primarily recounted in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament.
John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were both righteous in God’s eyes. Despite their devotion, they were childless and advanced in age, which was a source of personal sorrow and social stigma at the time.
While Zechariah was serving as a priest in the temple of Jerusalem, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that Elizabeth would bear a son named John.
Gabriel prophesied that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth and would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.
Zechariah questioned the angel’s message, wondering how this could happen given their old age. As a sign because of his disbelief, Gabriel declared that Zechariah would be unable to speak until the child was born.
True to the angel’s word, Elizabeth conceived. She hid herself for five months, giving praise to God for removing her disgrace among people.
When Elizabeth gave birth, her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her, recognizing God’s mercy.
On the eighth day, during the circumcision ceremony, they were going to name the child Zechariah after his father. However, Elizabeth insisted, “No; he is to be called John.”
They turned to Zechariah, who was still mute, and he wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.” Immediately, his mouth was opened, his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.
The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea, people talked about these events, wondering what the child would grow up to be, for the Lord’s hand was with him.
After regaining his speech, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. His prophecy, known as the Benedictus, spoke of God’s salvation, the mercy promised to the ancestors, and the prophetic role of his son, John, who would be called the prophet of the Most High.
John’s birth was significant as he would grow up to be John the Baptist, the forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
The circumstances of his birth, as foretold by the angel Gabriel, and the fulfillment of these prophecies, affirmed God’s active role in the salvation history.
The story symbolizes the breaking of silence and barrenness, representing the dawn of redemption through Jesus Christ, whom John would herald.
The birth of John the Baptist is celebrated as a significant event in the Christian liturgical calendar and marks an important moment in the narrative leading up to the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ.
The story of the birth of john the baptist – जॉन द बैपटिस्ट के जन्म की कहानी
