Luke 1
Founders Ministries: The Divine Glory in Subtle Shades of Simplicity
I. Historical and Geographical Setting – It is important for Luke to set his narrative at a particular time. Thus, the birth occurred in conjunction with a call for registration for taxes during the time that Quirinius held some governing capacity in Syria during the reign of Caesar Augustus; and, of course, Herod the Great was the King of the Jews.
I. Historical and Geographical Setting – It is important for Luke to set his narrative at a particular time. Thus, the birth occurred in conjunction with a call for registration for taxes during the time that Quirinius held some governing capacity in Syria during the reign of Caesar Augustus; and, of course, Herod the Great was the King of the Jews.
Luke 1:1-2:
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;
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;
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Luke 1:3:
it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus |
G Campbell Morgan suggests that the Greek word "anothern" may either mean "from the first," "again," or "from above" and suggest the last meaning here. Thus Luke claims that his scientific work was under the guidance of heaven itself or the Holy Spirit. Whether one presses this meaning or not, the fact is true nevertheless. There is no reason why both "from the first" and "from above" could not apply here. Having finished his investigation, Luke says that he began "to write..in order..." The word rendered "order" here means orderly fashion or in chronological order. Morgan notes that this was the word of an artist. Having gathered and sifted his material, he wrote it down in an artistic fashion. Luke wanted to be exact, and to write in an orderly plan. His historical genius expresses itself in the words inquiry, accuracy, and order. Luke was not caught up in some religious enthusiasm which would lead him to invent stories or to accept those of others without careful examination. Though he worked under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he did so with the dedicated spirit of a scientist historian who did not invent evidence but by careful analysis followed where the evidence led.
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Luke 1:5:
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. |
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Luke 1:6-25:
they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,
9according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.”
18And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
20But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.
22But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.
24Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,
25“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,
9according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.”
18And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
20But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple.
22But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.
24Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,
25“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
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Luke 1:26-33:
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end |
 Lorie Hedgepeth
This passage of scripture affords us more than the basis for the traditional Christmas story. Consider with me three timeless truths from this passage of scripture that are relevant to our life regardless of season or circumstance:
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| Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel( God with us ) another prophecy Dan. 7:14 And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting(FOREVER) dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. all prophecy all our Lord Jesus coming into the world.
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Luke 1:46- 49:
" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name." |
A time for everything is what the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes speaks of "Mary," who has chosen to give God praise for what he has done in her life. What does trouble have to do with this? It was time to give God the glory. Mary didn't think that she could conceive and she was old when that angel appeared to her. I think I will repeat what Mary said,'The Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name!
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Luke 1:68-70:
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)," |
There are several references in the OT to the horns of the alter. Joab took hold of the horns of the alter when he was about to be executed. The horns were “ram’s-horn” like places where the sacrifices were tied down – however they also served as places where one could grasp and hold.
The “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:68) that was raised up by Christ would be saying that Christ raised up salvation for us – something we could hold onto – something we could grip – something we could tie our lives to! And the fact that such horns were on the alter of sacrifice makes it more special. The fact that the tie-points of our lives (horns) is where the sacrifice for our sins was offered fits perfectly. An exalted horn then would be a super secure place to anchor our lives. |
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Luke 1:76-78:
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven |
A prophet is utilized by God to prepare the way. To prepare the way for the word of God that is about to come forth which will produce guaranteed fruit and not return void.
The Hebrew word for a prophet, navi (Nun-Beit-Yod-Alef) comes from the term niv sefatayim meaning “fruit of the lips,” which emphasizes the prophet’s role as a speaker. Hence a prophetic message will never contradict God’s word. And since it NEVER returns void then any self proclaimed “prophetic” utterance that attempt to predict the future, not only is a lie, but misrepresents the purpose of prophecy. |
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Luke 1:79-80:
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. |
 Dietrich Von Hildebrand Files
Our metaphysical situation--as pilgrims in time with an all-too-mortal body--is the basis for our consciousness that we shall have to die at some future time (and, normally, as a certain age). It is the basis also of consciousness that at any moment death may claim us and carry us off, whatever our expectations. Thus "in the midst of life we are surrounded by death" and we sit "in the shadow of death." In these two expressions the entire quality of death confronts us.
--Dietrich von Hildebrand; Jaws of Death Gate of Heaven; [c]1980 |