We return to more familiar territory when we move from John's letters to the Gospel of Luke. Some of the words and style of John's letters were familiar, but many of us have grown up in our faith with Doctor Luke and his two letters (Luke and Acts) written to his "friend" Theophilus.
The name Theophilus translates from the Greek to mean - God's friend. So this letter is written to you and me, if we are friends of God! Luke undertakes the very important job of researching and writing a complete account about Jesus of Nazareth so we might know the truth.
It may help you as you read this book to imagine that you are reading a letter written just for you from a very wise older friend. When I do this, I can almost hear Dr. Luke's voice as he tells me the old old story. Get a cup of coffee - or a diet Pepsi - and sit back and listen again for the first time to this important retelling of Luke's research.
In chapter 1 we hear a rather detailed account of the conception and birth of John the Baptist, told as a backdrop to the surprising pregnancy of Mary, the young virgin girl betrothed to Joseph. Look for the faithful witness of what theologians have called "the least, the last and the lost" in Luke's account. They are, along with Jesus, the stars of this gospel account.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
6 comments:
Back to the gospels, eh?
Luke 1 is so long. I mean, it’s 2-3 times as long as a regular chapter. I could write a whole book about what I find in this chapter, but here are a few things that I noticed through this read. I really like how Bill told us that this book is written to US. That certainly enhances the reading.
In verse 15, it says that John is not to ever take wine or other fermented drink in his lifetime, because he will be born with the Holy Spirit. That seems really interesting to me, especially since we have the Holy Spirit all the time also… Doesn’t that imply, at least a little, that we shouldn’t consume these things, so as to not affect the spirit. Sounds like a good enough reason for me to avoid it. My 21st birthday is coming up on Wednesday. I’ll have to use this verse (among others) to explain why I don’t need alch.
I wonder what it was like to be Zechariah. He was just hanging out in the temple for a while, and got quite the story – but he couldn’t tell anyone. Poor guy. I hate when I can’t talk, I would have been horrible in his position. Would it be different now since we have such elaborate writing systems? Hmm.
The women coming together always amazes me. John leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s belly as he hears Mary’s voice, and Elizabeth immediately knows that both the baby and Mary are holy. What a testimony that would be…especially since she was so old and even “barren” in her sixth month. That God, he’s pretty good at this stuff!
Back to Zechariah again – he’s like unable to speak for nine months (the whole pregnancy pretty much)? People must have been freaking out. I mean, a guy who talks all the time all the sudden can’t talk for a while? Because of this, it must have been quite the big deal when his speech was regained after he admitted that the boy’s name would be John.
So these songs, Mary’s and Zechariah’s – what are they like? Was there a melody, or was it more like a poem. Was it right away that he regained his speech and said these things, or was it just something they remembered to have said?
Whatever the case, they both show a real passion and understanding for the power and mercy of God. Praise he who rules over all the nations and the whole Universe.
An aside – I was working with the kids at Fowler High School this past week on Astronomy. The Universe is so big, that they have to think of all these names to name the larger groups of stars and stuff. We live on a planet, in a solar system, which is just a DOT in the Milky way, which is just a dot in the cluster of galaxies, which is just a small cluster in comparison to the MANY super clusters of stars. Yeah, so we’re small right? How about this…HE (God) put the stars in the sky and he knows them by name!, and he ALSO knows who we are and the hairs on our head are numbered.
I just can’t even fathom how powerful and wonderful God is. Can you imagine being him?
His grace is sufficient; His power is unbelievable.
Praise God!
Marshall Bailey
Hi Marshall,
It is long - especially whn you look at the letters we just finished! I really enjoyed reading about the babies in their mothers wombs - John jumping at the presence of Jesus. Someday I want to preach about the presence of Jesus and how it effects us. Hopefully he makes us jump with excitement!
Bill
I would just like to point out my favorite thing about Luke One. Zechariah states " He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. (Luke 1:69-70) I sense such excitement out of Zechariah as he says this. He is realizing that he is living the scripture that was written so long ago and anticipated for so long. Mary realizes the same thing when she says "He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever." (Luke 1:54-55) They are excited and fully willing to be an active part of God's plan. If we look closely enough, I am sure that we can all see God's plan being carried out in our own lives. The scriptures were written so long ago, but how relevant they are to TODAY!
Cool observation Sara!
Hindsight as they say is 20/20! Look back into your own history and you may see more clearly God's handiwork - I agree with you that we are living in the midst of God's sovreign moves, but it is often so much harder to see when it is right in front of me!
Bill
I read an interesting take on the silencing of Zacharias.
Perhaps part of the reason he was silenced was to prevent his negative words of unbelief from being spoken.
Zacharias was looking at the seen (age) rather than the unseen (pregnancy). He lacked the faith it would take to believe that his wife could conceive a child at her age.
Perhaps his doubt would have spread to his wife, and their lack of faith could have blocked God's plan. (Besides, who wanted to hear him whine about his age for 9 months? - just kidding)
How many times did Jesus reply that people were healed by their faith - that they could see, walk, stop the flow of blood and with His faith, return from "sleep"?
When other people's faith wasn't strong enough, Jesus spoke the words in faith, and God's plan came to fruition.
(All that being said, Pastor, I hope I have not spoken out of turn.)
I strive daily to only speak words of faith.
"For with God nothing is impossible." (vs 37)
Finally getting back to reading and trying to catch up!
Gosh - imagine if we were silenced everytime we doubted God's plans. If that were the case, I don't think I'd have very much talking to do!
Over the last few years, I have grown to love the magnificat, Mary's song. Just imagine her situation, and responding with song.
Nothing is impossible with God - comforting, and challenging.
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