Luke 1

Posted on Mar 3, 2017 in Bible (NT) in a Year |

Friday

I don’t know if it seems strange to you, but I find it interesting as we are reading straight through the New Testament to go from the Easter Story to the Christmas Story in one day.

Luke is the only Gospel writer that did not have first-hand knowledge of the events surrounding Jesus’ earthly ministry. And interestingly enough, he is writing to someone named “Theophilus” which translated literally means – “friend of God.” So even though this writing was probably written to a specific person, it’s nice to see that it could also be written to anyone who is a “friend of God.” Luke also addresses his second book, the book of Acts to Theophilus. Some scholars believe that it was actually one complete writing. Luke also tells us that he has carefully investigated all the accounts that had been handed down. We also get to read the Gospel from a Gentile Christian perspective. Luke was raised as a Greek and educated to be a physician. You might see in his writing a certain emphasis on healing and relationships… how Jesus cared for those around him. In Luke’s account we also read several events that are not recorded anywhere else in the bible. You’ll also notice, that Luke gives women a voice that is not witnessed or heard in other places.

Luke begins his story with the events surrounding John the Baptist’s miraculous birth and then moves to the account of Jesus’ birth.

Zechariah was a Jewish priest who was serving in the temple. Actually, he was in the Holy of Holies, an honor that doesn’t happen very often in a priest’s life. While he is in performing his duties, Zechariah has an unexpected visitor, Gabriel. Because Zechariah was hesitant to believe…hello?!? Angel… he ends up being silent for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

This tells me, that we need to be prepared for God to show up at any time and not doubt what He is telling us.

John’s birth is quite a joyous occasion for the elderly couple and the rest of the community. They can see that something very special is happening. It is most likely that Mary stayed for the birth of John before going back home. What a great comfort Elizabeth would have been to the young pregnant girl who was dealing with her own miracle.

John’s role will be to announce the coming of the Messiah and in a way he already has, as Luke points out in his writing. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Elizabeth and baby John recognized that Mary was carrying someone very special.

After John is born, Zechariah gets his voice back and being filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesies what John’s place will be in history.

Have you ever wondered what place we hold in history? Will our lives have significant meaning? Will we be able to impact those around us? God always seems to use the unexpected ordinary people to reveal the extraordinary. So it is always possible that God may call upon us to do something amazing. The thing that we have to be is willing and available when He calls.  

Serving God

Pastor Kathy