Luke 1:1-80
For the next few weeks we're going to be working our way through the Book of Luke on P4 and on Back to the Bible. So this being day one, we're starting in Luke 1. Now we just looked at this chapter back in December for Christmas so maybe you're thinking Not again. We just read this. Or you might be thinking I don't need to read this because I've read it a million times before.
Well, here's the thing--no matter how familiar we think we are with a scripture, God will continue to reveal new things to us when we're faithful and obedient to read His Word. Now I love it when that happens. It's such a great reminder for how rich the Word is and how much I still have to learn.
So ask God to show you something new from Luke 1 and then read the passage. Then, tell us what you uncovered or how God spoke to your heart through Luke 1 today. Tami W.
Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah all were filled with the Spirit and said wondrous hymns of praise for God’s salvation. God visited His people Israel as they groaned under Roman occupation even under the heel of Herod who was Rome’s puppet. Mary visited with her cousin for three months perhaps to be there for the birth and John remained in the desert until he was unveiled for public ministry. The time of loneliness and being alone with God prepares us to do God’s work in ministry later in life.
Asking God for signs as proofs of what He promises us could be dangerous. Zechariah asked for signs and he ended up being dumb for a few months, I just learned a lesson about simple act of faith even when it appears difficult as exemplified by Mary the mother of Jesus in v38 'I am the Lord's servant' May it be to me as you have said' (NIV). When our faith appears weak and not able to carry what God plans for us, we can simply utter the statement of Mary-'may it be to me as you have said'.
I am revisiting that time almost 20 years ago when my wife and I had our first child. How quickly our lives changed when he was born. There was new hope in life. We wanted to do everything to care for him. I have felt a small measure of the excitement Mary and Elizabeth must have felt when they knew they would bear Jesus and John.
I don't know because it has never happened to me (at least not yet), but if an angel of God appeared before me and told me something, I don't think I would question it.
thinking...it seems like Mary had questions too, but God directed her to Elizabeth for some reassurance. I totally appreciate my Christian friends and relatives!
God sees our heart when we question Him. It seems to me that Zechariah's question and Mary's question were very similar, but God saw that Zechariah did not think it was possible while Mary accepted it without really knowing the 'How'. How many times do I thwart God's purpose for my life by not believing that ALL things are possible with God.
Elizabeth's statement in verse 45 really struck me, and it's one that we tend to just read right by.
"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"
For Elizabeth, this is something that would be quite heartfelt and would really hit home. Her husband, Zechariah, was left unable to speak until John was born, circumcised, and named, because "[he] did not believe [Gabriel's] words," according to verse 25.
So, Elizabeth would certainly recognize, by sheer contrast in her own experience, what a blessing it was for Mary to have believed what was said to her.
The passage that stands out to me is " With God all things are possible." My son has had brain tumors since the age of 5. He is now 38. Many times he has been at death's door, and I am sure the prayers of the Saints of God brought him back. Truly, with God all things are possible.
I am a little puzzled about a comment that Dr Kroll made this morning about Jesus'deity before His birth. Maybe I missed something. Can you please elaborate on that comment for me? I will be listening to you tomorrow at 9:00 A.M. on KHCB
Thanks
Francois,
Thank you for sending your question to us. In his comments, Dr. Kroll was emphasizing that Jesus' deity existed from eternity past although His humanity came when He was born as a babe in Bethlehem. For instance, notice what Isaiah 9:6-7 says:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. (NKJV).
In these verses we see both the deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The words "a child is born" prophesies His humanity; "a son is given" reveals He has always been the Son of God so His deity existed from eternity past.
Dr. Kroll's comments about Mary not giving birth to God but to the Son of God are important. Even though Jesus is God, in the New Testament when the expression is used about Mary being the "mother of" someone divine, she is never referred to as the Mother of God. She is referred to as the "mother of my Lord" by Elizabeth (Luke 1:43); twice the Apostle John referred to Mary as the "mother of Jesus" (John 2:1,3); and Luke once referred to Mary as the "mother of Jesus" (Acts 1:14). The Bible never refers to Mary as the Mother of God, which would indicate His deity came from her; He has been the Son of God since eternity past.
Hopefully these comments are helpful to you. Thanks again for asking about this important matter.
Harold B.
P4 Correspondent
Reading this passage reminds that the Lord is trustworthy and he will complete the things or the plans that he said he would do. The verse that struck me is verse 45 - You are blessed because you believe that the Lord would do what he said.Mary believed that God has good plans for her and for that she is blessed. She is young but she is willing to surrender her life to God and to what God has called her to do. Sometimes it is difficult to believe what the Lord said he would do. This calls for faith and courage but the Lord is trustworthy. He will bring it to completion what he said he would do.