Luke 1-2
Notes
Transcript
Luke 1-2
INTRO, THE BIRTHS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS FORETOLD – LUKE 1:1-56
MANY HAVE UNDERTAKEN – Luke is not the first to account for Jesus’ life. He credits eye
witnesses and ministers of the word as sources for his own belief and knowledge.
RIGHTEOUS AND BLAMELESS – Notice the characteristics that God was looking for when
he chose parents for John. They were righteous and blameless. John had an important
responsibility and God was setting him up for success by ensuring that he would be
discipled and trained.
Mary has found favor with God. This seems to allude to her character as well.
ZECHARIAH AND MARY’S RESPONSES – Both Zechariah and Mary are visited by an angel,
Gabriel. Notice that both Zechariah and Mary question Gabriel. Mary gets the chance to
respond again in faith. We do not see where Zechariah gets to respond. Instead, he is
silenced.
It appears that the Angel is looking deeper than their mere words and that he is given a
view of their heart and their belief, or that we do not get the full conversations. What we
know is that the angel comments on Zechariah’s unbelief. Mary is blessed (by Elizabeth)
for believing, Zechariah has to go without speaking until his son is born because of his
unbelief.
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST – LUKE 1:57-80
LAID UP IN THEIR HEARTS – In these next few sections Luke uses the words “laid up in
their hearts” (1:66), “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (2:19),
“his mother treasured up all these things in her heart” (2:51).
We are given the impression that not only are these things that are happening important,
but so much so that later they were shared as treasured and important memories from
both the mother of Jesus and from bystanders at John’s birth. (Eyewitness accounts)
JOHN’S CHILDHOOD – We do not know much of John’s childhood other than that he
grew and became strong in the spirit. The words “public appearance” do not mean that
John was not viewed by anyone in public and that he was raised a hermit. Instead, the
Greek word means “installation” and is referring to rising to a position or office (ie.
Teacher or Rabbi).
NOTES
Luke 1-2
BIRTH OF JESUS – LUKE 2:1-21
QUIRINIUS CENSUS – Luke mentions a census or a registration when Quirinius was the
governor of Syria. This is important to mention because many people point this out when
they want to show that the Bible has errors.
The argument is that Quirinius was not governor (historically) until 6AD and Herod the
great died in 4AD. Which means that Herod the Great could not have been alive when
Jesus was born AND Quirinius governor. How do we resolve this? Is Luke wrong?
That is tough to answer, just because there is no evidence showing that a census was
taken or that Quirinius did not hold a position prior to 6AD does not mean that we can
positively exclude the fact that it could have happened. The argument is that outside of
Luke, there is no historical account of this, but Luke (who is credited to writing this
around 70-90 years after the census would have occurred) has proven through his other
historical accuracies to be a good historian. Should we be able to definitively say that it
couldn’t possible have happened that way because we have not yet found evidence?
All that to say, not sure how to account for what Luke is saying here and you will find a lot
of opinions. But what is exactly being said here, should not deter us from what Luke is
trying to convey over all in his two works.
SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS – Luke does not give us much of the birth story, but he does
include the interaction between the shepherds and the angels. This is quite the scene to
take in, you have God in a manger and lowly shepherds invited as guests. What a great
reminder (especially for Luke’s Gentile audience) that God came for all.
Luke showing the first encounter with Christ being a humble encounter resulting in the
glorification and praise of God is a theme that we will see throughout look and a point
that he appears to be driving home to the Gentiles. God came for all and our response to
His grace is praise and glory.
NOTES
Luke 1-2
JESUS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE – LUKE 2:22-40
SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 12:6-8
6
And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall
bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering,
and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7 and he shall offer it before the LORD and make
atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who
bears a child, either male or female. 8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two
turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest
shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean. (ESV)
A PAIR OF TURTLE DOVES – This is an important reference. Luke is allowing the reader to
see the poverty of Mary and Joseph.
THE LORD’S CHRIST – It is worth noting that Jesus’ last name is not Christ. He is referred
to from time to time as Jesus Christ or Jesus the Christ. In verse 26 He is referred to as the
Lord’s Christ. Christ or Christos means “the anointed one, the messiah.” Jesus is the
Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for, He is the Christ.
THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE – LUKE 2:41-52
GREW – Notice both verse 40 and verse 52. Jesus grew; physically, mentally, and in favor
with God. What is interesting to note is that from birth until 12 years old we see that
Jesus grew in all three ways (vs 40). Then at the age of 12 He is at the temple seeking
knowledge (46) and also sharing knowledge (47) so that all who heard Him were amazed
at His wisdom.
After this incredible display of wisdom from a 12 year old, we see that Jesus continues to
increase in wisdom (52).
This was a process of growth and maturing that took time. Jesus was not gifted with
knowledge and understanding from birth. Like all the rest of us He had to grow and
mature. We see though that Jesus made it a priority.
NOTES