Home Life
Luke 1:57-80

A century ago no egg from an emperor penguin had yet been studied. The scientists were eager to examine one, but they were too hard to acquire. During the blackness of night, the female lays an egg in mid-winter on a slender beach below great black cliffs on the Antarctic coast. The male penguin immediately puts the egg between his feet and a warm pouch located on his lower stomach. He thus incubates the egg throughout the long, cold, dark Antarctic winter. The chick will hatch in the spring if all goes well. The temperatures reach 70 degrees below zero, blizzards blow against his back constantly, yet the emperor will not budge.

When in 1903 a few hardy souls from Captain Scott's expedition arrived to collect these specimens, they were surprised to gather false eggs. The maternal instinct (paternal instinct too) is so strong that if emperor penguins lose their eggs, they'll grab up and hold in their pouch a dirty piece of ice, or a rock, anything. Their driving ambition during that long savage winter is to protect a precious chick. Are there lessons to be learned from nature? Yes indeed! One reason God created emperor penguins was perhaps to show us the importance of protecting and raising our young.

The birth of John the Baptist described in the book of Luke is really a focus on the parents too. John's father was Zechariah and his mother Elizabeth. Both of his parents were from a priestly line. How much does good parenting count for a growing boy? It's a large factor. Little John enjoyed a peaceful and secure two-parent family, an excellent education, and was taught discipline. A strong faith and respect for law made the Jews disciplined and hardworking. That discipline and strong work ethic was even more pronounced in the priestly families. Everything came together in John's upbringing to produce a fearless, resolute, persevering, and unconquerable character. John would be the forerunner of the Messiah. Zechariah held baby John in his arms and sang, "And you, child will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways."

Our Gospel text concludes, "So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel" (v. 80). Jesus ranked the Baptist at the very top. The Lord stated about John, "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist" (Luke 7:28). Ethically, in terms of holiness, John the Baptist was the finest. Let's consider on this Feast of John the Baptist, his upbringing and home life. What made him so great in the kingdom of God? Are there guidelines we can apply to contemporary family life? These are the issues we want to search out today.

Let's begin with education. What kind of curriculum did the Hebrews use? The Torah was at the top of the list. The first five books of the Bible were regarded foundational. John would have memorized the Ten Commandments as soon as he could speak. Zechariah and Elizabeth would have taught their son Hebrew poetry, how to chant the Psalms, and the history of Israel. The story of Elijah facing down the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel must have seeped deeply into his soul. Besides the Bible, the Hebrews had access to much great literature and many authors. What about Greek philosophy and Greek myths? Didn't educated Jews like John study those subjects? Rarely. At best there was a love-hate relationship vis-a-vis Greek culture.

Why did the Hebrews despise the Greek culture around them? Being under Roman domination didn't help. Culturally, the Roman Empire was Greek, especially in the Middle East. Generally, ethnic groups don't like to be subjugated by a foreign power, especially one they consider inferior. That is the reason the Jews were so restless under Roman domination. It was not because the Hebrews were a difficult, warlike, tribal and essentially backward society. On the contrary: the real trouble with the Jews was that they were too advanced, too intellectually developed to find alien rule acceptable. Granted, Greek influence brought about architecture, drama, music and literature. These were nice achievements. But the Jews had an older culture than the Greeks. According to historian Paul Johnson, they could not match the Greeks artistically, but their literature was superior. In terms of literacy, the Jews had a higher proportion of educated people. Education for a Roman lad might be optional, but for the son of a Jew education was compulsory.

Furthermore, the Temple of Jerusalem was one of the wonders of the world. It rivaled anything the Greeks had produced. Although the Second Commandment prohibited graven images, the Temple was adorned with some great works of art ­ the giant golden candlestick with its seven branches symbolized the seven planets, the table with the twelve loaves of bread represented the twelve tribes of Israel. A gorgeous vessel contained thirteen kinds of frankincense. Let's not forget the curtains of red, white, blue, and gold embroidery with heavenly constellations, the resplendent vestments of the High Priest with twelve great jewels, and the golden breastplate upon which was engraved the name of Jehovah. A boy like John would be naturally taken with such things. Alexander Schmemann has correctly remarked, "As a general rule, children like attending church, and this instinctive attraction to and interest in church serves as the foundation on which we must build our religious education. When parents worry that children will get tired because services are long and are sorry for them, they usually subconsciously express their concern not for their children but for themselves. Children penetrate more easily than do adults into the world of ritual, of liturgical symbolism. They feel and appreciate the atmosphere of our Church services. The experience of Holiness, the sense of encounter with Someone Who is beyond daily life, that mysterium tremendum that is at the root of all religion and is the core of our services is more accessible to our children than it is to us." [Close quote. From his article, Children and Church.]

The young forerunner of the Messiah, the prophet of the Highest, often saw his father, the priest, reading and studying the Scriptures. No doubt Zechariah and Elizabeth patiently taught the books of the Bible to their son John. Deuteronomy 6:6 framed their home life, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

At the age of twelve, life began to take on a new seriousness for John. He would begin to attend the feast of the Passover. As the son of a priest, it was expected that John join the ranks of the priesthood. He would have to pass certain preliminary examinations. Soon after his twelfth birthday he would start his priestly training in the Temple. He would learn the precise meaning of all the elaborate ceremonies of the Temple, all the cleansings and purifications, all the minute laws relative to the Sabbath, and the thousands of regulations governing the most intimate details of life. He would become well versed in the Law of Moses, the case laws, the teachings of the prophets, and in all the complex ceremonial laws that governed the details of personal conduct. It was an enormous amount of material.

This background rules out the notion that John the Baptist was some sort of monastic troglodyte. Yes, he did eventually settle in the desert. The Nazarite vow he took committed him to a life of ascetic renunciation. His hair was never to be cut, while he dressed in camel skins and leather. The vow also forbade him to drink wine or strong drink; locusts and honey dominated his diet. But this rough exterior concealed an educated and literate man.

Zechariah and Elizabeth evidently did most things right as they raised their son. True, it is the grace of God that changes the heart. Parents can't do that. On the other end of the spectrum, the sin nature wars against the Spirit. These two dynamics are important variables in how a child will turn out in adulthood. But besides that, home life is crucial. J.C. Ryle, the great 19th Century Anglican bishop of Liverpool has this to say, "Early habits are everything We are made what we are by training. Our character takes the form of that mold into which our first years are cast." He is speaking wisdom. It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of the early years; the importance of good parenting. Copies of an article J.C. Ryle wrote on parenting are available in the narthex. It is called, "The Duties of Parents." I would invite those of you interested to pick up a copy. It is excellent. From time to time, we all need to brush up on the basics of bringing up children. On this day we observe the Nativity of John the Baptist it would be appropriate for us to review the subject of parenting from a biblical and Christian perspective.

Bishop Ryle lists seventeen theses in his article on child-rearing. Though these guidelines were written over a hundred years ago, they are still helpful for today's parents. Let's examine about half of them.

2. Love and patience with our children are central to good parenting. This is Bishop Ryle's second point. Parents who rely on anger, harshness, and fear will lose in the long run. You exasperate your children with a tone of constant sternness and severity. Ryle says, "Children are weak and tender creatures, and, as such, they need patient and considerate treatment. We must handle them delicately" Our children need a tender love from us. Some of us have heard horror stories about harsh fathers. The damage is profound.

5. In thesis number five Bishop Ryle urges parents to train their children in the knowledge of the Bible. Fathers should set aside a family devotion time to read the Scripture, discuss it, and explain doctrine. At some homes this happens after the evening meal. Besides family devotions, the children should read the Bible on their own. They should read it regularly and they should read from Genesis to Revelation. You can bet that Bible reading and study helped make John the Baptist what he became.

6. Prayer comes next. Since children will not pray on their own, they must be trained to pray. Memorizing and using written prayers is a good start. They should also be taught how to pray extemporaneously. Bishop Ryle writes, "Parents, if you love your children, do all that lies in your power to train them up to a habit of prayer. Show them how to begin. Tell them what to say. Encourage them to persevere. [Get them back on track] if they become careless and slack about it Long before he can read, you can teach your child to kneel by his mother's side, and repeat the simple words of prayer"

9. Guideline number nine has to do with obedience. Bishop Ryle speaks forcefully, "Parents, determine to make your children obey you, though it may cost you much trouble, and cost them many tears. Let there be no questioning, and reasoning, and disputing, and delaying, and answering [back]. When you give them a command, let them see plainly that you will have it done." What happens if parents allow their children to disobey? The kids become miserable, proud, and selfish. Society grows narcissistic due to negligence in this area. Do you want your children to be happy? Enforce first-time obedience, and get them to obey with a good attitude.

10. Speaking the truth is crucial. We must be fanatics about truth; truth-lovers. Never accept a lie from your child and do everything within your power to halt a lying tongue. It will destroy him or her. Bishop Ryle instructs us, "Reader, I would have you remark how often God is spoken of in the Old Testament as the God of truth. Truth seems to be especially set before us as a leading feature in the character of Him with whom we have to do. He never swerves from the straight line. He abhors lying and hypocrisy. Try to keep this continually before your children's minds. Press upon them at all times, that less than the truth is a lie; that evasion, excuse-making, and exaggeration are all halfway houses towards what is false, and ought to be avoided. Encourage them in any circumstances to be straightforward, and, whatever it may cost them, to speak the truth." Again, we do whatever it takes to get our kids to speak the truth.

12. Point twelve deals with the doctrine of spanking. Here is where Christianity seems to swim upstream. For Ryle, the idea that parents should never spank their children is unacceptable. Of course spanking can be misused. Spanking a child while out of control with anger is wrong. Chastisement that causes bruises is very wrong. A spank on the bottom should sting, and no more. Spanking a child when he is too old for it is also inappropriate. The cutoff age should probably be around ten or eleven years old. Then parents should remember that each child is so different. One child may need to be spanked several times a day. Another may only need a couple spankings a year. These are a few cautions; there are probably others. Nevertheless, in spite of the potential to ill-use, it is still necessary. Why? God the Holy Spirit gives it the highest recommendation. More, God commands it. The Proverbs are especially clear: "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly" (13:24). Christian parents spank their children out of obedience to God and out of love for their children. That is why. Proverbs has more to say, "Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction" (19:18). And "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15). "Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell" (Proverbs 23:13-14). In other words, go ahead and spank your child when he or she deserves it. Be firm, under control, make sure your children know why you are doing it, because you love them. And, God will bless your entire family for it. God's Word gives you a promise: you will not kill your kids if you spank them; rather, you will deliver their souls from Hell.

Furthermore, Ryle prompts us, "Learn to say "No" to your children. Show them that you are able to refuse whatever you think is not fit for them. Show them that you are ready to punish disobedience, and that when you speak of punishment, you are not only ready to threaten, but also to perform." Dennis Prager echoes Ryle's council. He maintains that, "No" is the most important word a parent can say to his son or daughter, more important than, "I love you." He is correct. Children love to know the limits. They feel more secure. Christian parents are courageous, loving, and confident of their God-given authority. On that basis they can announce: "No, you can't do that." "No, you can't go there." "No, you can't have that." One more detail: don't let your children say "No" to you. That is disrespect that deserves punishment. You are the one in charge. 14. Set a good example for your children. That is guideline 14. Be an example in words, in temper, in diligence, in moderation, in faith, in love, in kindness, in humility. Apologize when you sin against them. Ryle warns, "Children are very quick observers; very quick in seeing through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. You will often find as the father is, so is the son." Don't expect good children if you yourself are unable to set a good example. 17. The last principle is this: "Pray for you children. Pray for their sanctification. Pray that God will bless them. Pray that they will find and marry godly spouses. A child can cause a parent an ocean of grief and anguish; a child can give a parent deep joy and satisfaction. Much depends on how you raise them.

These are timeless principles of raising children. You can be pretty sure that Zechariah and Elizabeth basically raised John the Baptist along these lines. When it comes to parenting, let's think twice about the modern techniques, and stick to what is tried and true. Raising children with godly character is an art, the most difficult of the arts. It is easier to master nuclear physics than it is to raise God-fearing kids. On this feast of St. John the Baptist love your children truly. Rededicate yourself to the biblical standards of home life.

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