When Obedience Doesn't Make Sense

If I were to choose one word to describe the birth of Jesus, it would be obedience.

The, often selfless, act of choosing to do what you are asked even when it seems crazy,

pointless, or a wrong life choice.

Obedience is woven all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

Noah did all that the Lord commanded.

Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded.

Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Ninevah.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the story of the nativity.

Elizabeth and Zacharias were unable to have what they wanted most, children.

They had probably prayed many times over many years asking God for children.

only to be met each time with a resounding "no."

Yet, as the time comes for Zacharias' division to serve in the temple, Zacharias is chosen to offer the incense.

As he was serving, perhaps he decided to ask God one more time for the desire of their heart.

God stepped in (I love it when God steps in because miracles happen!) and To everyone's surprise, Elizabeth is going to have a baby.

After years of begging and pleading and the answer is "no," now the answer is "yes."

Imagine their excitement when the baby arrives, and they hold that precious little miracle in their arms.

Everyone was there to celebrate this blessing with them.

When their friends and family ask about the name and Zacharias said, "His name is John."

Those around them were sure that they had heard wrong.

"Why do you want to name him John," they asked.

But Zacharias followed God's instructions and called him John.

Why did God want them to call him John?

I have no idea, and I doubt Elizabeth and Zacharias understood it either;

but they understood listening to God, so they named him John.

It didn't make sense, and I'm sure that they would have preferred to name him Zacharias, or some other family name;

even their friends wanted them to choose a family name.

I'm sure it would have been easy, in that moment to give in to peer pressure and go with an old family name.

Afterall, it's a little thing and a baby's name seems like such a small thing.

But they were faithful and obedient to God's instructions and named the baby John.

Often it's hard to be obedient when it goes against the flow;

and everyone wants you to make another choice.

As we head into the Christmas season, let's look for ways to be obedient to God.

Maybe helping a neighbor,

taking a meal to someone,

or buying hats and mittens for those in need,

Whatever it is that God asks you to do, be obedient.

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