listen here the audio of this study https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ5gduFdgD4&list=PL1a63TsBRKpW0rI1pvH8K0PQerOZ3io7c&index=3&ab_channel=Gracedevotionals

Our reading today is found in Luke 1:1-38

Luke’s account of the Gospel begins with a description of the author’s research methods and conclusions. He states that his is an account of “the things that have been fulfilled among us.” Things that were “handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.”

Luke relied on sources that had seen and heard Jesus and could tell their stories. They were also servants of the Word (Jesus is the Word).

Luke didn’t seek out the opinions of sceptics or unbelievers. He wasn’t interested in what people thought about Jesus. He didn’t interview people who rejected Jesus. If you want to know truth, why would you go to someone who refuses to believe it?

There is a lesson here about who we should look to as authoritative. If they don’t believe what the Word of God clearly says, it doesn’t matter how many degrees they may have. Isaiah 8:20 stated it very clearly in his day: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” People without light can’t give light.

Luke begins with the account of the angel Gabriel foretelling the births of John the Baptist to Zechariah his father, and the birth of Jesus to his mother Mary. One of the things I like to do when reading accounts like these is to try to imagine each person and how their experiences might relate to my life.

We’ll begin with Zechariah. We read that both he and his wife Elizabeth were of the tribe of Levi and Zechariah was a priest. To be selected as a priest from among the Levites, a man had to be physically healthy, well educated in the Law and acceptable to God before he could enter the Temple.

Zechariah and his wife are said to be quite old. The criteria for service as a priest, as found in Numbers 4:3 was 30 to 50 years old. I’m not sure exactly how old they were but Elizabeth was now beyond the age to bear children. Both are said to have been righteous in the sight of God and walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. That is quite a reputation!

Because he was held in such high regard, he was among those who could be chosen to enter the temple for the daily burning of incense. We read that the whole congregation was praying outside. It appears that as Zechariah entered and approached the altar of incense, the angel Gabriel was on the right side of the altar. Pay attention to details like this as you read and try to imagine how it might have looked. We read that Zechariah was startled and gripped with fear. The angel instructed him to not be afraid because his prayers for a child had been answered.

I wonder how long he and Elizabeth prayed for a child and if they had stopped because it just didn’t seem possible anymore. There is a message here about persevering in prayer as well as walking by faith and not by sight. There is also something about our timing and desires not necessarily aligning perfectly with God’s. We are told that Jesus came to the world at just the right time (Rom. 5:6, Gal. 4:4, 1 Tim. 6:15). The birth of John was dependent upon the birth of Jesus. As we proceed through the Gospels, Jesus will teach us a lot about prayer.

The character of their future child that we see in verses 14 through 17 is truly amazing. The name John is derived from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning “graced by God.” It is a solid, traditional name that exudes strength, wisdom, and kindness.

They weren’t to name him after one of his relatives, which was a common practice. John’s life had a purpose that was reflected in his name. I wonder if when we dedicate our children to the Lord, we are truly thinking about giving them over to God’s perfect will? Do we consider what that might mean?

As we look at the description of what this child would accomplish in his short life, it is stunning: bring joy and delight to his parents, cause many to rejoice, be great in God’s eyes, never consume alcohol, be fill with the Spirit from the womb, turn many back to the Lord their God, fulfill the very last words of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5-6), and to prepare people to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Wow! That is quite a purpose!

One would think it natural for a priest to take all that in and say “Wow, thank you, hallelujah, glory be to God!” It’s funny how the people we most look up to in the faith, at times, will surprise us with their unbelief. I suppose Zechariah was just human and kind of got stuck on that first part about having a child while being so old.

Sometimes we can’t see the glory of God for all the earthly clutter. The angel, however, didn’t take the unbelief lightly. Zechariah said, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” That just wasn’t the right answer. He wouldn’t speak another word for more than nine months. God expects a lot from leaders and people who set the example for others. We ought to pay attention to our own messages! I would really like to have been there for that conversation he had with his wife after this moment of unbelief.

Next, we see the angel’s message to Mary. She was a young woman from a rather insignificant town in Galilee. When the angel spoke to her, we don’t see the same kind of fear that is a kind of unbelief. We don’t see her gripped with fear. She didn’t stop listening.

His opening words to her are amazing: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The word translated “highly favored” is a form of the Greek word for Grace. This exact form of that word is used in Eph. 1:6 where it is translated “glorious grace.” The idea is that it is the abundant and undeserved favor from God.

To round out the declaration, she is told “the Lord is with you.” It appears that she didn’t see herself in this way. Upon hearing this, we read that she was “greatly troubled” and wondered what all of this was about. Sometimes, it is hard to receive grace; it is just something we don’t deserve. That isn’t the same as the kind of unbelief Zechariah had. We could say that Mary didn’t know God as well as Zechariah. She certainly hadn’t had time to study like Zechariah. That’s okay and it was okay for Mary. Her biggest question was how the whole thing could happen given that she had honored God in her sexuality. We could say that her theology was small, but God honored her in a big way.

This brings us to the end of our reading for today in Luke chapter one. There are, however, a couple of things Gabriel still has to say. He describes how the Holy Spirit will be involved in the fulfillment of God’s purpose. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. So, the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” I hope we never reach a point in our walk with God when the agency of the Holy Spirit is an afterthought!

The description of her Son’s character isn’t as detailed as that of John the Baptist, but it is something that could be said of only One Person in the history of the world: He would be the Holy One and called the Son of God.

Gabriel ends with a simple declaration: “For no word from God will ever fail.” As I stop and think about that, I wonder if I have ever truly believed it. I don’t mean just saying it; I mean living like I truly believe it. I know that I intellectually believe it. I only hope that I can respond as simply as Mary did; “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word.”

You can see the study that continues in this link: G2c – Jesus’ Origen and Purpose

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Glenn