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- Luke Chapter 1
Good morning ☀️
I love that Luke was possibly a Gentile. I love that he was a doctor. Doctors are detailed and thorough. I love that he was an evangelist. The term "evangelist" is derived from the Greek word "euangelistes," meaning a bringer of good news or a bearer of the gospel.
For most of my life, I viewed the Bible as a religious book that backed up my Christian faith. I viewed the words within as stories that may or may not be true but were good for living correctly.
I now know that the Bible… the Gospel of Luke… is not just a religious book but a history book and, more importantly, a source of direct communication from God.
The author Tacitus wrote "The Histories" during the early 2nd century AD, likely between 105 and 109 AD. The work covers the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD) and the Flavian dynasty up to the death of Domitian in 96 AD.
Why do we view the work of Tacitus as history and the work of Luke as a religious book?
This year, as we study the New Testament, I want to encourage you to read with new eyes. What if… the words we read and study are a direct communication from the Creator of the universe? What if God used Luke to tell us about Himself? What if He used Luke to encourage us? To warn us? Because He loves us?
I believe that to be true. Let’s get into it.
The introduction to the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 mentions the name Theophilus.
Who’s that?
The title "most excellent" or "noble" suggests that Theophilus held a position of honor or authority. Some scholars believe that Theophilus might have been a high-ranking Roman official or someone of significant social standing.
The name "Theophilus" itself means "lover of God" in Greek. Some scholars propose that the name might be symbolic, representing a broader audience of readers who are lovers of God or seekers of truth.
Who was Herod?
Herod the Great was a historical figure who ruled over Judea from 37 to 4 BC. He was appointed by the Roman Senate as "King of the Jews."
His reign was marked by extensive building projects, including the expansion and renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the fortress Masada, and the establishment of the port city of Caesarea Maritima.
When we visited Israel, Herod’s attention to construction detail was obvious and unparalleled. It’s hard to believe someone so paranoid and cruel could create such beauty.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the newborn "King of the Jews," whom he perceived as a threat to his rule (Matthew 2:1-18).
At the time, Bethlehem was a small town, which lends to the idea that there were very few infants under the age of two—maybe as few as 12. I’ve always thought it was more.
When we visited Israel, I also did not know that Bethlehem is currently in the State of Palestine. When we crossed the border, it was heavily guarded by the military and sat behind a massive wall.
In his final years, Herod became increasingly ill and paranoid. According to historical accounts, he ordered the execution of several prominent individuals, including his own sons, shortly before his death.
Zechariah serving as priest
When describing the duties of the priest Zechariah, Luke mentions that he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense in the Holy Place (Luke 1:9).
The Holy Place refers to the specific area within the temple where the altar of incense was located.
The priest selected for this duty would enter the Holy Place alone to perform the ritual, symbolizing the offering of prayers and intercession on behalf of the people. This individual priest would have the responsibility of burning incense on the golden altar
The practice of casting lots is mentioned several times in the Old and New Testaments. For example, in the Old Testament, lots were cast to divide the land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 18:10) or to make decisions, such as choosing the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:8). In the New Testament, lots were cast to choose a replacement for Judas Iscariot among the apostles (Acts 1:23-26).
The idea behind casting lots was to leave the decision in the hands of God. It was a way to seek divine guidance or avoid personal biases in decision-making.
Let’s talk angels.
Angels in the Bible are typically depicted as powerful and majestic beings rather than little babies, as you might see in art.
Throughout the Bible, angels are always referred to using masculine language. For example, in the Old Testament, the term "mal'akh" is used, and in the New Testament, the Greek word "angelos" is used. Both are grammatically masculine.
“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,”
Why ‘The Spirit of Elijah’?
The reference to Elijah is significant because Elijah was a prophet in the Old Testament who was expected to come before the Messiah according to Jewish tradition.
One of the most famous stories about Elijah is the contest on Mount Carmel, as described in 1 Kings 18. Elijah confronted the prophets of the Canaanite god Baal, challenging them to a contest to see whose god would answer with fire. When Elijah's prayer was answered by fire from heaven, it affirmed the supremacy of the God of Israel.
Elijah did not experience a typical death. Instead, he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind accompanied by a chariot of fire.
The Old Testament concludes with a prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 that speaks of Elijah's return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This prophecy is later associated with the coming of John the Baptist.
In Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus says, "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come."
In Mark 9:11-13, after the Transfiguration where Elijah appears with Moses, the disciples ask Jesus about Elijah:
"And they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'
And he said to them, 'Elijah does come first to restore all things.
Then Jesus identifies John the Baptist as fulfilling the role of Elijah:
“But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.'"
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Throne of David: The prophecy states that God will give Jesus the throne of his father, David. This means that people expected Jesus, who comes from the line of David, to fulfill the promise of being the awaited messiah.
The House of Jacob forever: This scripture reinforces the idea that Jesus' reign will not be temporary but eternal. "The house of Jacob" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was also known as Israel, connecting Jesus to the people of Israel.
“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
“And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
I think, as Christians, we don’t think of the Holy Spirit much. Francis Chan wrote an incredible book titled Forgotten God that talks about just that.
The Holy Spirit is God. The Trinity is an important identifier to us as Christians. We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Messiah, and God the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says that when we believe, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. We’re filled with God Himself.
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Imagine following Jesus the Messiah for three years, and then one day, as He’s predicting His death, He says:
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
Jesus tells us that it’s BETTER that He leaves because He’s sending us the Holy Spirit.
I’m telling you, don’t miss this.
When
We
Believe
Like Elizabeth, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary's song, often called the "Magnificat," is a significant and powerful hymn of praise.
Mary's song is a prayer where she thanks and praises God. She appreciates God's goodness and mercy, recognizing His powerful actions in her life and for all people. Mary also emphasizes God's mercy, especially for those who fear Him across generations.
In her song, Mary talks about fairness and justice, expressing that God favors humble and lowly people over the proud and mighty. She believes in God's justice, where the humble are uplifted, and the hungry are satisfied with good things.
Mary connects her song to God's promises to Israel, mentioning the covenant made with Abraham and his descendants.
That’s it for Chapter One.
There’s a lot there. As humans, if we know a story, like the birth of John, we convince ourselves we know “enough,” and we skip over the parts we’re not sure about. I try to cover scripture that we often blindly read over.
Let’s go into our day with the deep realization that He loves us so much, He left His throne and humbled Himself to live with us on earth. A most selfless mission trip.
Oh How He Loves Us
I love you,
George
Follower of Christ • Overseas worker • Author