Luke 1

LUKE 1
Luke did not write this Gospel from firsthand acquaintance with Jesus Christ. In the first four verses of his Gospel, Luke describes the process by which his inspired account was composed. Not being an eyewitness himself, he carefully researched Jesus’ life and ministry from eyewitness accounts and historical records to produce an accurate account of the life and ministry of Jesus. And, to confirm and strengthen the faith of his readers.
Known to Paul as “dear doctor Luke” (Col. 4:14) Luke provides a more precise and complete narrative than the other 3 Gospel writers. Even in his opening chapters, you will discern the heart of a family doctor as he relates the life of Mary, the birth of Jesus, and the boyhood years of this remarkable “miracle baby.”
Who wrote the most books in the N.T.? Who wrote the most material in the N.T? Yes, Paul wrote the most books but it was Dr. Luke who wrote this book, Luke and the Acts – they contain more verses than the 13 books attributed to Paul combined!
The key theme in Luke’s Gospel is our Lord’s journeys as the Son of man. If ever a man wrote a book filled with good news for everybody, Dr. Luke is that man. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ ability to meet every need of the rich and poor; young and old; men, women and children. Even after His resurrection, the glorified humanity of Jesus is stressed, showing that truly He is come “to search for and to save” souls that are lost. 19:10 He presents Jesus Christ as the compassionate Son of man, Who came to live among sinners, love them, help them, and doe for them. Luke’s emphasis is on the universality of Jesus Christ and His salvation.
Dr. Luke is named only 3 times in the N.T. He wrote Acts and he traveled with Paul. He was probably a Gentile and was trained as a physician. No wonder that we have the detailed accounts of the births of two important babies! No wonder he emphasized Christ’s sympathy for hurting people. He wrote with the mind of a careful historian and with the heart of a loving physician.
The Gospel of Luke was written for Theophilus (lover of God) probably a Roman official who had trusted Christ and now needed to be established in the faith. It is also a possibility that he was a seeker after Truth who was being taught the Christian message, because the word translated INSTRUCTED in 1:4 gives us a word which means – someone who is being taught the basics of Christianity.
There was information written about the life and message of Christ but not everything in them could be trusted. Luke wrote his Gospel so that his readers might have an accurate and orderly narrative of the life, ministry and message of Jesus. Besides his research, interviews with eyewitnesses and listening to those who had ministered the Word, he had the guidance of the Holy Spirit. His message came “from above”.
There were four different responses to God’s wonderful news when it came to four different people:
CONDITION OF UNBELIEF 1:1-25 It was a dark time for the nation of Israel. They had not heard a prophetic Word from God for 400 years…not since Malachi had promised the coming of Elijah. The spiritual leaders were shackled by tradition and in some instances, corruption … Herod the Great who was their king was a tyrant.
A faithful priest v. 5-7 Zacharias and Elizabeth were a Godly couple who both belonged to the priestly line. The priests were divided into 24 courses (I Chron. 24) and each priest served in the temple 2 weeks out of the year. This couple was faithful to obey the Word and live blamelessly in spite of the Godlessness all around them. Their biggest sorrow was that they had no children. Apparently, they prayed about this sorrow!
A fearful priest v. 8-17 The priests on duty drew lots to see which ministries they would perform and Zacharias was chosen to offer incense in the holy place. This was a high honor that was permitted to a priest but once in a lifetime. The incense was offered daily before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice…about 3 in the afternoon.
You have probably noticed that it seems God most often speaks when we are busy doing our daily tasks. (It is difficult to steer a car when the engine is not running.) When we get busy, God starts to direct us.
Gabriel – an angel appeared to Zacharias and he was frightened…he knew that the angel’s appearance might mean divine judgment.
“Fear Not” is a repeated statement in this Gospel. Surely old Zach was excited to hear that Elizabeth was going to have his son. REJOICING is another key them in Luke, mentioned at least 19 times. Good news brings joy!
Gabriel gave Zach instructions…name his son, John and to dedicate him to the Lord to be a Nazarite all of his life. And, Gabriel told Zach what John’s ministry would be for his life. “and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, even in and from his mother’s womb” V.15b – LIFE FROM CONCEPTION!
A faithless priest v. 18-22 Instead of looking to God by faith, Zacharias looked at himself and his wife and decided that the birth of a son was impossible…he wanted some assurance beyond the plain word of Gabriel, God’s messenger.
God does not accept unbelief…Zach was really questioning God’ ability to fulfill His own Word! Had he forgotten what God did for Abraham and Sarah? Did he think that his physical limitations would hinder God? We should examine ourselves and see how strong our own faith is!
Faith is blessed, but unbelief is judged; and Zacharias was struck dumb. God had given him a very personal “sign” that he would have to live with for the next 9 months.
A favored priest v. 23-25 When Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant, Gabriel brought a 2nd birth announcement…this time to a young virgin in Nazareth – Mary!
The people of Judah did not like the Jews in Galilee and claimed that they were not “kosher” because of their contacts with the Gentiles there. They especially despised the people from Nazareth but God in His grace shoes a girl from Nazareth to be the mother of the promised Messiah.
People react to Mary in two extremes. They, either magnify her so much that Jesus takes second place or they ignore her and fail to give her the esteem that she deserves. Elizabeth who was filled with the Holy Spirit, called her “the mother of my Lord” and that is reason enough to honor her.
Mary was a Jewess of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David, and a virgin. She was engaged to a carpenter in Nazareth named Joseph, both probably poor, she is likely a teenager…engagement was almost as binding as marriage and could be broken only by divorce.
Mary’s surprise and surrender was surprised v. 26-48 Her response reveals her humility and honesty before God.
Gabriel explained a lot to Mary and he was careful to point out that the Baby would be a “holy thing” and would not share the sinful human nature of man. Mary understood what was going to happen but did not understand HOW it would happen. “overshadowed” Mary…that word is applied to the presence of God in the holy of holies in the Jewish tabernacle and temple. Mary’s womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God.
Then Gab told Mary a word of encouragement when he said that her aged relative Elizabeth was also pregnant…proving that “with God nothing shall be impossible.” Mary’s believing response was to surrender herself to God as His willing servant. She belonged totally to the Lord - body, soul and spirit. What an example for us to follow. Romans 12: 1-2
JOY v. 1:39-56 Three persons rejoice in the Lord: Elizabeth…the greatest thing that she said was v.45 “blessed is she that believed”. The unborn son, John! The joy of Mary…she lifted her heart in a hymn of praise. The fullness of the Spirit should lead us to joyful praise in our lives just as should the fullness of the Word.
When Mary returned to Nazareth after John was born: God gave the good news to Joseph and instructed him what to do.
The birth of John: baby boys usually named after the father or someone else in the family, so the relatives and neighbors were shocked when Elizabeth insisted on the name JOHN. Zach wrote it on a tablet and that settled it. AND immediately Zach could speak and he sang a hymn.
The old priest had not said anything for 9 months, but he certainly compensated for his silence when he sang this song of praise to God! He was so joyful that his son was chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Instead of enjoying a comfortable life as a priest, John lived in the wilderness, disciplining himself physically and spiritually, waiting for the day when God would send him out to prepare Israel for the arrival of the Messiah.
God calls us today to believe His Good News. Those who believe it experience His joy and want to express their praise to Him. It is not enough for us to say that Jesus is a Savior or even the Savior. With Mary, we must say, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God, MY Savior.”