Click here to go to Luke 1
OK, why didn't anyone tell me the calendar wasn't showing!?!??! I realized tonight I never shared it publicly. Sorry about that, now you can see where we're heading.
I saved Luke to last because from here we'll go into Acts another book believed to be written by Luke. I love how he opens this book:
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.[a] 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
It is believed by many scholars that Mark was the first of the Gospels written and that Matthew and Luke used Mark to build their Gospels. It is also believed that Luke spent a great deal of time interviewing eye witnesses to the events that took place. Verse 4 really drives home Luke's purpose: 'so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.' Certainty that Jesus was born through the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died on a cross and rose again. He then ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father awaiting the time that He will return!
Chapter 1 is full of some many good stories. I love Zechariah and Elizabeth and the shock Elizabeth must have felt when she realized she was pregnant. For Mary and how it must have felt to hear those words from the angel, "Greetings favored woman!" Talk about shock and awe!
You may have noticed a new tab up above. A few years ago our Pastor shared with our Sunday School class these questions to ask ourselves as we study scripture. If you're ever unsure what to comment feel free to use the questions as a starter.
I also wanted to include this video of a wonderful song, here sung by Don Moen
I just realized that "Theophilus" means "lover/friend of God." What an awesome name for a man to whom the gospel was entrusted!
ReplyDeleteThe story of Zacharias and Elizabeth always moves me too. I just love how the same family brought forth both the messenger and the Savior.
Luke 1
ReplyDelete13b "...you will name him John."
19 The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news...."
26,27 Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.
30,31 The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus."
41b,67: Elizabeth and Zechariah are filled with the Holy Spirit.
72-75 "He has shown his mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy promise, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He promised to rescue us from our enemies’ power so that we could serve him without fear by being holy and honorable as long as we live.
76-79 “You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way. You will make his people know that they can be saved through the forgiveness of their sins. A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death’s shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace.”
Salvation has come to us!
Acts 2:39 "This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles--all who have been called by the Lord our God."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvjoNx3-Mn8
Mary Did You Know? Clay Aiken