The Birth of John the Baptist

In Luke 1: 14, Zacharias was told by an angel, "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth". This was an extremely exciting for Zacharias and his wife because his wife Elisabeth was unable to have children. John was truly a miracle. Zacharias was a priest and he was a righteous man along with his wife. One day, Zacharias had went to the temple and the angel Gabriel had appeared to him. He was fearful but the angel comforted him and said that he would have a son that would be great in the sight of the Lord. He will be filled with the holy Ghost from birth. He will help prepare the people for the Lord. Zacharias's faith was shaky and the angel made it so he couldnt speak until his son was born. When he was born, Zacharias's tongue was loosed and he was able to praise the Lord. People were excited because he would "turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just". Johns Lineage was perfect priestly descent which was essential for him to prepare the way for the Messiah. John would be the one to baptize Jesus Christ and he knew it was the Son of God because there would be a dove at his baptism and John also heard the voice of the Lord. "Jesus praised John as a prophet, saying there is none who was greater" (Matt 11: 7-11). His mission was entrusted to only him and he did it perfectly. He babptized the savior and continually bore testimony that he was the Christ.