Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3

As part of  “A New Christmas Tradition”, I am posting my thoughts on the Book of Luke as we read through one chapter per day in this month of December.  I welcome you to read along, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Luke Chapter 3:

Verses 1-2:  My husband noticed the list of high government and religious leaders mentioned in these verses, but verse two notes that “the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”  Humble, faithful, honest John, chosen to prepare the way before the long awaited Messiah.

Verse 3: He didn’t preach in the synagogues, but went into all the country about Jordan. He preached a message of repentance, to turn people from their sins to God.

Verses 4-6  In fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 40:3-5).

Verses 7-9:  He didn’t preach a smooth message that allowed people to feel good in their sins; and there were many he refused to baptize.  It’s pretty clear to me by this passage that water baptism doesn’t save us. If it did, he would have baptized anyone that came to him. But he required proof of genuine repentance, which shows itself in a changed life.

Verses 10-14:  He gave practical life examples of what the fruits of repentance look like in a our everyday lives.

Verses 15-17: When people wondered if he was the Christ, he let them know that Christ was much greater than he, and would be coming to do a work in the lives of men and women, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Verses 19-20: He showed no partiality in his preaching, and because his message of truth exposed sin Herod’s life, he was imprisoned.

Vs 21-22:  Jesus himself was baptized, to let us know that we must be baptized, as a testimony of the work of God done in our hearts when we repent.

Verses 23-38:  The genealogy of Jesus listed here is actually Mary’s family tree.  Joseph’s is recorded in Matthew 1:1-16.

Links to prior posts:

Prophecy Fulfilled: John the Baptist

Prophecy Fulfilled: Ancestry of Jesus Christ

Repentance

Read Full Post »

Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2

As part of “A New Christmas Tradition”, I am posting my thoughts on the Book of Luke as we read through one chapter per day in this month of December. I welcome you to read along, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Luke Chapter 2:

Verse 10: Good tiding of great joy to ALL people, not just the Hebrews, not just a select “predestined” few, but good news for ALL.

Verses 15-16: The shepherds said, “Let us go NOW”… and “they came with haste.”

Verses 17-20: The shepherds spread the news, and all that heard “wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”  I wonder, how many of those people who heard the shepherds report “went with haste” to see for themselves?

Verses 25-35: Simeon was waiting for the Saviour to come, recognized Jesus for who He was when he saw Him, and prophesied “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of ALL people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, AND the glory of thy people Israel.” Jesus is for both Jews and Gentiles.

Simeon continued to prophesy, “This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.”  Our religious heritage is insufficient. All must first realize their lost (fallen) condition before they can be resurrected to the newness of life that Jesus offers us.

“A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Mary’s heart would be broken as she one day witnessed the crucifixion of her son Jesus. It is Jesus who reveals the true condition of our hearts and our need for a Saviour.

Verses 36-38: Anna was another one who was waiting to see the Saviour. When she saw Jesus, and recognized Him as the promised Saviour, she went and told everyone she knew who were also looking for His coming.

Verses 42-49: At 12 years old, like many young teenagers, Jesus was wanting to “be about His Father’s (God’s) business. But,

Verses 51-52: He went back home with Mary and Joseph and was subject (obedient) to them, growing in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man.”

Links to previous posts related to the Christmas story:

Prophecy Fulfilled: Mary, Mother of Jesus

Prophecy Fulfilled: The Birth of Jesus

Wise Men Still Seek Him

On earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Read Full Post »

Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1

As part of “A New Christmas Tradition”, I am posting my thoughts on the Book of Luke as we read through one chapter per day in this month of December.  I welcome you to read along, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Certain verses stood out to me, and I share my thoughts for each:

Verses 5-7, 13.  Elisabeth was barren. She and Zacharias had probably prayed for years for a child, and had likely given up on their hope of receiving one. But the angel said, “Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife shall bear thee a son.”  Many times we pray according to the desire of our heart. God may answer yes,  no,  or  wait.  God’s plans and timing are perfect.

Verses 14-17.  It was so worth the wait! God gave them a very special son who had a very special purpose.  The angel said, “You shall have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth… And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”

Verses 67-80.  After John’s birth, Zacharias prophesied concerning the fulfillment of the coming of the Saviour and what His salvation truly would be, and also about what John would do in preparation for the Saviour.  “That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.”  “And thou, (John), shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins…”

Here is a link to a previous post about fulfilled prophecy concerning John the Baptist: Prophecy Fulfilled: John the Baptist

Verses 31-37. The angel appeared to Mary foretelling the birth of Jesus and the birth of John.  When she asked, “How shall this be?” the angel answered, “With God nothing shall be impossible.”

Verse 39-44. The unborn baby John was the first person to recognize Jesus.  When she first saw Mary, Elisabeth said, “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb… for as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”

Verse 45.  Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”  If God has said it, we can believe it; and if we believe it, we shall receive it.  Let us be careful that we not miss what God has promised due to our own unbelief!

Verse 50. “His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” Many are hoping for God’s mercy. But the promise is to those that fear (be alarmed, to be in awe of, to treat with deference or reverential obedience) Him. And this mercy isn’t just available to a few, but to every generation and every nation.

Read Full Post »