Gospel of Luke Chapter 1: Setting the Stage

A Word of Introduction.....I have decided to revisit the Gospel of Luke and complete a series of scribbles based on this most complete and longest of the four gospel narratives.  I found I already have drawn over 70 pictures based on scripture passages from Luke.  Now to fill in some of the 'holes'!!  My blog, therefore, will just be a compilation of my new scribbles (and perhaps some old ones) along with new information or insights gained along the way!

Luke was a physician and gentile.  He is the only one of the Gospel writers who never probably MET Jesus- everything is second account.  But Luke is also the most complete in terms of the breadth of Jesus' life (as much as we know of the Lord's childhood from any references!)  Luke wrote both the Gospel and the Book of Acts: the life of Christ and the life of the Holy Spirit/Christ at work in the people.  It makes for a pretty good package! 

Luke wrote to Theophilus.  There is a great deal of commentary on who Theophilus was, or even if he was just one person.  The word in Greek means Lover of God.  From other clues, however, it seems likely he was a high ranking Roman official who sought to know more about the Messiah.  Luke writes, therefore, to a more Gentile audience and this inclusiveness comes through in his gospel.  

Luke 1:1-4

"Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting with the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught...."  (MSG)

Luke 1:13-17

"But the angel said to him, 'Don't be afraid, Zechariah!  God has heard your prayer and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.  You are to name him John....John will be great in the Lord's sight.,...from his very birth he will be filled with the Spirit and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God....he will get the Lord's people ready for him."

     Zechariah is going about his business in the temple and suddenly an angel appears!  Fear!  But the angel promises a long-desired gift: a child.  A special child, with a God-given mission.  Would I believe if this happened to me?  Wouldn't I probably distrust like Zechariah, perhaps more because I would think 'Why me, God?'  Zechariah was a prominent Jewish priest...why NOT him?  These are ordinary temple happenings to begin a magnificent story! 

Luke 1: 19-20

But the angel said, 'I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news.  But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth.  Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time - God's time."

My Faith in Action commentary notes, "Underestimating God can be as dangerous as open rebellion.  Our sin may not be a matter of 'doing wrong' but of being hesitant to trust fully. When have you been 'deprived' of one thing because God had something better for you around the corner?"  God removes Zechariah's easy ability to explain away the situation. Zechariah has no other option but to believe and TRUST....and patiently wait God's timing.

Luke 1:26-38 (portions from GNT)
28  The angel came to her [Mary] and said, “Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!”...
31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus......
34 Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”.....

37  "There is nothing that God cannot do.”

38 “I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” 

     What is the difference between Mary and Zechariah?  Both were visited by angels.  Both were given a message of impending births.  For Zechariah the message was a blessing, a desired birth, but he chose to disbelieve.  For Mary, a birth was a shock and a probable source of shame,  but she responds, "I am your servant, Lord!"  Wow!  No wonder God silenced Zechariah for 9 months!!!
     God often asks us to do seemingly impossible tasks.  How often do we respond as Zechariah with hesitation and disbelief?  We cannot imagine the possibilities that lie before us if we are simply willing to respond as Mary and say, "Whatever you want, God, I'm at your service."