Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 

Note three things:

  • The naming of a baby was usually performed by the father, but God told Zechariah the name of his boy. This showed that He was making John His responsibility.
  • We again see, in this chapter, that true greatness is to be found ”in the sight of” God – regardless of human opinion;
  • There is no formula for being ”filled with the Holy Spirit”. John’s situation was unique, and he wasn’t in a position even to seek this fullness, but an anointing was sovereignly given him even before his birth. I don’t think anyone can read the New Testament, and then come up with ‘one sure-fire way it always happens. There are a variety of ‘being filled with the Holy Spirit’ stories. ”The wind blows wherever it pleases” (John 3:8a). I heard that one well-known Christian leader said this about the Spirit’s fullness: ‘It doesn’t matter how you get it, just get it!’ ”Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with Spirit…’ (Eph.5:18). (Note, there was a particular prohibition on John drinking wine or other fermented drink, because of his special calling. From Paul’s words we see that the general restraint on Christians pertains to drunkenness).