The Prophet

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" (Luke 1:41-42 NIV).

"When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy," (Luke 1:57-58 NIV).

Zechariah said, "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," (Luke 1:76 NIV).

The baby Elizabeth was carrying was the future John the Baptist. John came before Jesus to prepare the way for Jesus Christ's ministry, baptizing of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'" (Luke 3:4-6 NIV).

John the Baptist was a miracle baby, given by God, for a purpose of making the way for Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, also a miracle baby. The prophet was foretold in the prophet Isaiah's writing in Isaiah 40:3-5. 

I love the way God wove these two women's stories together. It is also wonderful how God weaves lives together yet today. Rejoice for the prophet who led the way for Jesus! Rejoice for the coming of Jesus' birth. Rejoice!