Luke 1:1-25; 57-80

Introduction

We start in Luke this morning. It has dawned on me one of the reasons I love teaching the NT (not more but differently than the OT) is the perspective of the writers of the NT is closer to mine

The Gospel of Luke is a good example of a NT book that “feels” familiar to me

I’ve always heard this was because it was written from a Gentile perspective, but what’s that mean?

OT

historical perspective of the OT writers is that of working within or reflecting on the experience and traditions of ancient Israel and Judah (sacrifice, temple, kingship, exile)

their world view is still largely shaped by ancient Near Eastern thought patterns

NT

Greco-Roman thought patterns

A historical Jesus that has theological meaning

How does Jesus fit with Jewish law and tradition

The promise of a kingdom that is already AND not yet come

But as I studied, I realize that Luke, specifically, reminds me of how I think. I always say the Lord created me as a logical, reason based, liner thinker, who always loved science and evidence. That’s what God saved when He saved me and all that comes with me now.

Luke takes all that and beautifully pieces it together by the moving of the Holy Spirit with all the supernatural, miraculous works of God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit as we see them in Luke and Acts

I’ll give you a personal (not Bible) theory or idea that weaves together the who, when, and starts the why:

Who: Luke; wasn’t one of the original 12 apostles.

He was an acquaintance of Paul. He meets up with Paul some time after Jesus changes his name and starts his ministry and then Luke travels with Paul documenting the Acts of Holy Spirit through the Apostles.

In 62-64 CE Luke writes Acts while Paul is imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28). He has immediate access to Paul and other eyewitnesses present in Rome. The testimony is fresh; people are available for consultation. Luke documents the Spirit's work through the church from Pentecost onward, establishing the theological and historical trajectory. The abrupt ending at Acts 28:31 makes sense—he's writing during Paul's imprisonment, perhaps even completing it as events are still unfolding.

God sends Theophilus to Luke. Maybe asking questions, maybe as a rich guy that God saved and he knew they needed to spread the word, probably both

Luke write his Gospel 64-65 CE recognizing the need for the foundational narrative. Using Mark's Gospel as a basis, he adds material from his interviews and research (infancy narratives, unique parables, additional resurrection appearances). He structures it as the theological prequel to Acts, ensuring the Gospel lays all the groundwork for the church's emergence and expansion that Acts documents.

Acts is the conclusion Luke comes to; the Gospel becomes the brief supporting it

Luke 1: Zechariah, Elizabeth, and The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:1-25; 1:57-80)

Prologue Luke 1:1-4

Luke 1:1–4 KJV

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

1-2 tell us Luke is talking about all the things that had been prophesied, predicted, and spoken about. Not just reporting the news, but pointing out God’s promises had came to pass and they had seen them

there were MANY writing about all that had happened to that point. Mark being one of them, Luke believed them because he’d seen things, great and wonderful things. Things he couldn’t explain, but didn’t have to, just knew they happened and he was there

He’s writing to tell Theophilus (“lover of God”) “how we got here” and to reassure him “you can believe them too”

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold Luke 1:5-25

Luke 1:5–7 KJV

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Here is a good, devoted, righteous, religious couple, who unfortunately, God had not blessed with children and now, in human, materialistic terms are too old to have any

Luke 1:8–17 KJV

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Bible we always see fear when an angel shows up. We kind of understand that, but this moment would have been different. Put yourself in Zachariah's sandals:

Middle of his turn to burn incense. He’s spent all that time doing the ritual cleansing, and sacrifices, and confessing and praying so God wouldn’t kill him like Nadab and Abihu. The other priest’s are even outside praying for him to be successful and not be killed…only the mercy of God keeps him from having a heart attack

Zachariah had also been praying for a son probably since they were married, and this angel has just showed up and as soon as he pulled himself together from being terrified, under stood him to tell him Elizabeth was going to have one

the angel then goes on to tell him:

15 that he’s to be raised like and will live the Nasserite vow and be filled with the Holy Spirit. this is a new time! After 400 years of silence, YAHWEH IS BACK!

16-17 coming in the spirit of Malachi’s prophesy: Malachi 4:5–6 “5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

“Your boy John is coming to restore Israel’s relationship with Yahweh before the Messiah gets here”

Luke 1:18–23 KJV

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

18 He’s a righteous and pious man, but he’s still a man and can’t believe it

because of his doubt (and as a sign) he’s struck dumb and can’t talk

the others think he’s dead and when they see he’s not they know he saw something

he finishes his term as priest without being able to talk then goes back home

Luke 1:24–25 KJV

24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Not only Zachariah but Elizabeth had been praying too. Her prayers answered, she knows now there’s an end to the shame she’s felt from being childless

The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-66)

Luke 1:57–66 KJV

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

John’s born and her friends and family celebrate God’s mercy toward her and after Zachariah wrote “John” and the miracle happened and he could speak and the first thing he did was praise GOD!

Word spread fast and everybody else knows something big has just happened and they wonder what kind of boy John will be?

And the Lord was with him!

Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1:67-80)

Luke 1:67 KJV

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

then Yahweh speaks through Zachariah

Luke 1:68-79 is the prophesy AND the conclusion to the chapter and lesson and Luke does a better job than I could:

Luke 1:68–79 KJV

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

We need to be rescued. We need to saved from enemies, fear, and the judgement of God Almighty. Without Jesus, we're stuck in darkness and sin, and we can't fix it ourselves.

God kept His promises: Zechariah praised God for remembering the covenant He made long ago with Abraham. God said He would send a Savior, and now it was happening.

John the Baptist prepares the way: Zechariah's son John will be a prophet who tells people to get ready for Jesus and turn away from their sins.

Jesus is the Savior: God raised up a mighty Savior from the family of King David. Jesus is coming to save God's people from their sins.

Jesus brings light and peace: Like a sunrise breaking through darkness, Jesus comes to shine light on people who are in darkness and to guide us into peace with God.

Luke 1:80 KJV

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Jesus was here and he’ll grow in body and spirit like any other boy...and yet completely unlike anyone ever before or since...wholly God AND wholly man!

PRAY!