October 26, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Luke? Here’s today’s reading:
Luke 1 (NIV)
Introduction
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught..........Continue Reading
Always enjoyed Luke’s account of the gospel a little more. Being a gentile. And most likely the only gentile to write a new testament book. And the way he goes into detail is awesome. So feels like your part of what you read. Love the account of zechariah and Elisabeth. I’m sure they were upset at not being able to have a child. But Gods plan and timing is always perfect. As John the Baptist was born at the perfect time to prepare the way Why Mary. Young Probably poor. Female. But that’s who God chooses. Our credentials are much different than what God is looking for. How mary handled this is incredible. The pain. Ridicule. Joseph probably going to leave her. But she praises God in an awesome song. Did she have an idea at this point of the whole picture? Cant imagine what was going through her mind!!!
And yes hallelujah. Back in the New Testament!!
Luke 1 –
I love Luke’s concern about getting the story just right so that Theophillus may know the exact truth. Carefully investigating everything from the beginning. Gives me comfort to know not only that the Holy Spirit inspired Luke, but also that Luke did his due diligence in getting everything correct.
The name John means “God is gracious.”
What an incredibly powerful chapter of so many things that we are familiar with, but if we were not we would simply be amazed: 2 angelic appearances, 2 miraculous births, 1 man left mute and then his speech is freed, and 2 Holy Spirit inspired proclamations. It is interesting that Mary’s proclamation is not created to the Holy Spirit, but that’s ok. because it is choke full of the Scriptures.
And what a difference there is in the human questions given to the angel. How can I be sure of this? (Zechariah) expresses doubt. How will this be? (Mary) expresses concern for logistics…is there anything I need to do to make it happen…otherwise Mary is confident THAT it will be. I was also struck that John was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (or even better from the womb). And just imagine hearing from an angel that you have found favor with God. And don’t miss the confirmation Mary gets from Elizabeth’s Holy Spirit words…”Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said will be accomplished.” We all could use faith like that. You do wonder if Zechariah heard those words and there was a little God nudge to him because He didn’t believe.
And it is really no wonder that there was a stirring amongst the people about who John is and what God was doing. This is God setting the table making it clear that HE IS ON THE MOVE!
Luke 1
What an amazing account Luke gives us. He is truly blessed with words to depict the things that happened.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Both Elizabeth and Mary had so many reasons to doubt the words of the angels but instead they showed such faith and trusted God’s plan. Elizabeth gave birth to John who was so instrumental to God’s plan and brought so many to God and Mary bore Jesus, God’s son!
I love the book of Luke!
I can only imagine how Zacharias felt seeing an angel, considering the last documentation/prophesy from God was about 400 years ago. I do sometimes think that I would probably be so struck by seeing an angel that I would hesitate to question anything he had to say!
It gets me choked up whenever I read it and think of the power of God moving in this group of people to do amazing things for the Jews and all mankind.
When we studied Luke, I really liked how Luke seemed to focus on Jesus interaction with Gentiles, it really highlights God’s dual purpose – saving mankind through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and ultimately establishing the Jewish nation through the “son of David”.
Luke 1
Luke 2-7