Luke 1:13

 Luke 1:13 says, But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.  Ths angel had good news for Zacharias.  God had heard his prayers about wanting to be a father.  Elisabeth was going to have a son and Zacharias was to name him John.  We aren't told how long Zacharias had been praying for this, but since they were both older, it must have been for awhile.  God may not immediately answer our prayers with a yes, but until we know He has answered we should never give up on praying.  Verse fourteen adds, And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.  The angel told Zacharias that he would have joy and gladness and many people would rejoice at the birth of his son John.  There is usually a lot of joy and rejoicing at the seemingly impossible birth of a baby.  Verse fifteen continues, For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.  In the case of John there was even more reason to rejoice.  He was to be great in the sight of the LORD and filled with the Holy Ghost even before he was born.   Still, this does not mean that John was sinless, even though he was to drink neither wine nor strong drink.  This had to be a life-long commitment.   The earlier we can dedicate our life to God the better, but no matter how soon we do so we will never be without sin.  Verse sixteen states, And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.  John was to turn many people in Israel to God once again.  This means many were not following God, just as being a church member today does not mean that a person is truly following God.  Verse seventeen adds, And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  John was to go forth by the power of God to restore relationships and prepare the people of Israel for the coming of Jesus Christ.  We today as followers of Christ are to work to restore peoples relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and to prepare them to be ready for His return.