Tag: Luke 1

“I believe; help me in my unbelief.”

Luke 1 and John 1:1-14

If you have been reading with us from the beginning of the year – welcome to the New Testament!

Devotion by Telva Elwell (SC)

Malachi had last spoken 400 years ago and had promised that the Messenger would come.  “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.”  Surely Zechariah, as a priest, knew this well. But to put it mildly, God caught him off guard one day.

Zechariah was busy in the Holy Place offering incense, a duty Zechariah was permitted to do only once in his lifetime, when suddenly out of nowhere, the angel Gabriel stood by the altar. Of course, Gabriel had to calm Zechariah, because he was focused upon his task and not expecting Gabriel’s visit.  “Fear not,” he said. Not only did Gabriel’s presence startle Zechariah, but the news he brought was also startling.

Gabriel told him that Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, were going to have a son!  One would expect this to be good news for Zechariah because Elizabeth and Zechariah had been praying for a child for many years. Zechariah did not believe such a thing possible because he was an old man, and his wife was advanced in years as well. (Luke 1:18) This story was reminiscent of Abraham and Sarah, for God had also said that He would give them a son in their old age.  “Abraham fell on his face and laughed.” (Gen 17:17) 

Before he could even grasp the idea of having a son in his old age, Gabriel told him to name his son John, and that John would grow up to be God’s prophet to show Israel God’s son.  “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 to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (vs16-17) (Mal 4:5) I understand that this was a lot to take in. But none of it was new to him. He was well acquainted with the promises of God as told by Malachi and other Old Testament prophets. This was the day, the time, that Zechariah, the priest, was looking forward to.   What a blessing and privilege to be the father of the much-anticipated Messenger who would turn the children of Israel to God. But something got in the way of that for Zechariah.

Instead of rejoicing, Zechariah demanded proof that this was even possible.  Even though an angel, who stands in the presence of God, came to deliver this good news, Zechariah believed this was all nonsense.  He wanted proof—not just a proclamation of an angel of the Lord.  “How can I be SURE of this?” he asked. (vs18) Gabriel gave him proof in the form of punishment. “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words…” (vs19,20) Zechariah was struck dumb, (v20) and quite possibly deaf. (v62)    

When Zechariah finished his priestly duties, he walked home to his faithful wife, and in time, she conceived. For nine months his words did not come, and his world was silent.  Every waking moment of every day, Zechariah was reminded of his unbelief.

I would be remiss in not mentioning Mary. Gabriel also brought her unexpected news. Although young, a virgin, and unmarried, she was also going to have a son—God’s Son, the Messiah. Her response was unlike Zechariah’s.  Instead of demanding proof that this could happen, she humbly submitted to God’s plan as His servant. “Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (v38) While Zechariah sat silently with his thoughts running rampant in his head, Mary rejoiced in prayer and song. (vs.46-55)

 In time, Elizabeth gave birth to a son.  Relatives and neighbors and friends heard the good news and rejoiced with her. Then something truly miraculous happened.

By custom Jewish boys were circumcised eight days after birth, at which time a name was given to the child. The expectation was that this child would be named Zechariah, after his father, but Elizabeth said his name would be called John, just as Gabriel had told Zechariah. It was unusual not to name the son after his father or another family member, so Zechariah was asked what he wanted the child to be called.  Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote the words, “His name is John.” (v63) That name, John, means God is gracious. When Zechariah penned the baby’s name, “John” on his tablet, he was declaring his belief in God’s faithfulness and grace, and affirming Gabriel’s message to him concerning his son, John. A simple thing, yet profound. Because God is gracious, Zechariah’s tongue was immediately loosed. (v64) Because God is gracious, He did not forget or abandon Zechariah, even when he did not believe.  That does not mean that it is okay to not believe.  We need to believe God. But when we struggle, God is there.   

Belief and unbelief are often at war with one another in our lives.  Sometimes we struggle to believe, much like Zechariah, and then other times we simply believe without doubt or question, much like Mary.  When we struggle, sometimes it is the small things that awaken our faith and cause us to believe—like a new baby named John

That same small baby, named John, awakened the faith of the children of Israel years later when as a man he “came as a witness, to bear witness about the light that all might believe through Him.”  (John 1:7)

Reflection Questions

Question One:  Why do you think God chose to make Zechariah a mute as punishment for his unbelief?

Question Two:  Why do you believe Zechariah struggled to believe God?  Are there times when you struggle to believe God?  Why? When?

Question Three: Right now, where are you in your belief?  More like Zechariah, the high priest, or more like Mary, the young virgin? 

Question Four:  In Mark 9:24, a man came to Jesus and said: “I believe; help me in my unbelief.” How can someone say, I believe, and at the same time ask for help in overcoming unbelief? Do you believe this was the situation with Zechariah?  Is this your situation on occasion?

SGL.2025.SeptemberFullPageDownload

Let it Be to Me

Old Testament: Zechariah 3 & 4

Poetry: Psalm 143

*Theme Week – Celebrating Jesus: Luke 1

            ’Twas the Night Before Christmas….  Originally published 200 years ago, in 1823, as A Visit from St. Nicolas authorship credited to and later claimed by Clement Clarke Moore.  Moore was a theology professor- a Bible teacher.  He originally wrote the poem for fun, he said, for his children.  This story helped to shape the way many began to celebrate Christmas and has had a lasting cultural impact.  I find it interesting that a Bible teacher is responsible for the way most Americans celebrate Christmas with its focus on Santa Claus, gift-giving, and all the rest of the things that tend to draw attention away from the original meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus.  Now Bible teachers and preachers are trying to remind us that “Jesus is the reason for the season” but more often that plea has fallen on deaf ears.  More people are interested in getting the latest iPhone or other coveted goodies.  On this Christmas Eve day, we take a quick pause from our parties, food and gift-buying and wrapping and consider the first part of the Christmas story. 

            In today’s reading from Luke one, we see the announcement of two unlikely births, two cousins to be born named John and Jesus.  Israel’s story in the Old Testament has a giant pause and collective waiting.  Israel was waiting for the arrival of their promised king or messiah.  Several hundred years BC God promised David, the King, that he would have a son who would reign as king over a kingdom that would be unending.  At first, people thought Solomon was the fulfillment of that promise.  Solomon started well, sought God’s wisdom above all else and the Kingdom of Israel prospered.  But Solomon’s heart turned away from faithfulness to God, he was not to be the true Messiah.  His son, Rehoboam ruled after him and things went from bad to worse.  Eventually, civil war caused his kingdom to split.  Eventually, God punished a succession of unfaithful kings with the destruction of the temple, the fall of the capital Jerusalem, and the end of the heirs of David ruling as kings.  For hundreds of years, there was no heir of David.  The hope for the messiah remained a longed-for and unfulfilled expectation. 

            The last of the historical/prophetic books of the Old Testament is Malachi.  Malachi ends with the hopeful promise that an Elijah-type prophet will come and get people ready for the final day of the Lord that was to come. 

            Fast forward about 400 years, and Israel is still waiting for the 2 anticipated births- of the Elijah-type prophet, and the Messiah-King, heir of David’s throne.  Out of this 400 years of waiting comes Luke 1 with the announcements of two unlikely births.  Unlikely because one was promised to an older childless couple, and the second to a young, engaged couple where the young woman was still a virgin.  In both cases, God would perform a miracle to bring forth these two baby boys, John and Jesus.

            It’s important to note in the story that when the Angel comes to Mary announcing God’s plan for her, Mary offers her consent “Let it be to me according to your word.”  This makes perfect sense.  We know that in human relationships consent is morally required before union.  Anything less than consent is unacceptable and morally reprehensible.  It stands to reason that before God placed his son Jesus in her womb she would give consent.  “Let it be” or “I agree to allow your word, your promise, your plan for your son, the Messiah to be formed in me.”

            The same is true for all of us.  God wants to place His word in us and for us to bear the fruits of Jesus.  In Galatians 4:19 Paul uses this metaphor of birth: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…”. God wants Christ to be formed in us.  Christ was formed in the womb of Mary uniquely, but God wants all of us to be spiritually transformed, to become like Jesus in our character, in our singular commitment to bring glory to God and to seek first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and righteousness (right living in covenant relationship with God).

            Sorry this is getting kind of technical, but the bottom line is, for Mary to give birth to Jesus, she first had to give God her consent “Let it be”.  For Christ to be formed in us, we must also give our consent.  God will not force us to receive His word and be transformed, to have Christ formed in us, we must receive it.

            So on this night before Christmas, as you watch the lights on the tree and listen to Christmas music, play games with your family, wrap presents and drink egg nog, or go to Church and any combination of the above, listen for God’s invitation.  He wants to plant His word in you so that Jesus Christ might be fully formed in you.  Will you give your consent?  Will you say as Mary did “Let it be to me according to your word?”

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. How will you celebrate Jesus today and tomorrow and the rest of the week and in 2024?
  2. Have you given your consent and received God’s word and spiritual transformation? 
  3. What might it look like and feel like to have Jesus Christ fully formed in you? 
sgl23bibleplanDownload

The Character God Favors

Old Testament: Joshua 13-15

Psalms: Psalm 101

New Testament: Luke 1

As I carefully investigate Luke’s narrative, I take note of the encounter between Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and the angel of the Lord, including where the angel stands, and what he says.

I take note of Zacharias’s position and heritage, being a Levitical priest under the Division of Abijah, meaning that it is his duty to serve in the temple in Jerusalem in the 8th division, which was at the conclusion of the Feast of Passover.

I take note that Zacharias and Elizabeth are living in the hill country, perhaps the same hill country described in our reading in Joshua wherein Jabin prepared the way for Joshua’s coming as conqueror, in the same land that became Judah’s inheritance, where Mary, the mother of our Messiah Jesus, dwells (with them) for the first 3 months of her pregnancy with her baby Jesus.

I take note of the life of John the Baptist, sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah Jesus, relating it to Moses, preparing the way in the wilderness for Joshua to take over and lead his people into the promised land.

After all that detail, likely there to teach us that Jesus is indeed the Christ, born under the law, in the way that God prophesied, with all the Old Testament parallels, I take note of where I think Luke wants our focus, after all the knowledge is obtained. 

It is the character of the two women of God that causes me to pause.

God chose to prepare the way for the Lord Messiah through two birth miracles, because two women of God chose to be faithful and humble in the presence of Yahweh God through his agent angel Gabriel.

The details are so important, but it is the character of the women of God, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of our Lord Messiah, that we should rest our focus on after knowledge is obtained.

There is a stark contrast between the character displayed by the priest, who should have been first to bear the image of God in his response to the word of God, and the women of God in God’s presence.

Zacharias the priest is slow to be faithful, despite the significant circumstance he found himself in (despite a miracle). The angel Gabriel reminds Zacharias that he is one who stands in the presence of the Lord God, reiterating to him that his position deserves reverence and faith because of who he works for and of whose words he’s reiterating to him.

But to the woman, the angel of Yahweh, Gabriel, found the response that God desires from his people. From Elizabeth, we see faith and thankfulness. From Mary, we see faith and humility. We then see what follows women favored by God. When the two meet, Elizabeth is filled with the holy spirit after her baby, filled with the holy spirit, leaps in her womb! She prophesies regarding Mary’s response to the word of God:

Luke 1:45

“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary’s response to this is praise to God her Savior, magnifying her Lord God through song and prophesy. Her response sounds familiar, much like some of the psalms of David, her likely ancestor.

What follows the people of character, the character of the people that God has always wanted, is exalting the Lord God, the receiving of the holy spirit (and all that comes with that), and joy!

But I take note still. There were consequences for the servant priest’s character flaw. Because of his unbelief to the angel’s words, which were God’s words, he was made unable to speak until the day when the things spoken by God’s agent angel were fulfilled.

This gave opportunity for Elizabeth to continue her faithful stance as servant to the words God spoke. It may be difficult for us to imagine how hard it would have been for her to oppose those in the temple, who chose to disrespect Elizabeth by clinging to tradition in naming the child over her words, which were God’s words. She stood firm in her faith. The people diverted their attention and respect to Zacharias, her priest husband instead.

Thankfully, the consequence from the angel led Zacharias to repentance and faithfulness. When he told the people that the child would be called John (Yahweh gives grace), the name given to him by God through his agent angel, his consequence ceased and his tongue was loosened. His response after repentance was praise to God. He too received the gift of the holy spirit and prophesied, speaking words of salvation.

But fear overtook all those in the hill country of Judea who heard of these things, perhaps due to unbelief. I imagine the fear being like the fear that overtook the people living in the hill country centuries prior, when King Jabin proclaimed the fearful news that Joshua was coming to conquer.

The details are so important, but if they don’t lead people to change, to conform to people bearing the image of God, which becomes conforming to the image of his Christ, all knowledge gained is null and void.

Let our character be the character that God has always desired, like the women, and be faithful and humble servants of the word, to believe in all the words the Lord God has spoken, which are eventually spoken through his Messiah Jesus.

-Juliet Taylor

Questions

  1. What are other important details that Luke gives us in chapter 1?
  2. In Luke 1:7, an Old Testament scripture is applied to John the Baptist. What did John do to “7…turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”?
  3. My favorite part of Mary’s response, after Elizabeth prophesies to her is, “My soul exalts the Lord” (Luke 1:46). What characteristics of the Lord did Mary find worthy of exalting? What’s your favorite part of Mary’s response?
sgl23bibleplanDownload

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Luke 1

Thursday, December 8, 2022

I love Christmas. 

Does that really need an explanation? What’s not to love about a time of year where we get to celebrate Jesus? Celebrate the Messiah who is and brings us hope, peace, joy, and love? Celebrate with cookies and pies and presents and parties? It is a joyous time of year, both for the cultural wrappings and baggage, (which is fine*!) but also for the Church traditions, teachings, giving, serving, and singing! 

The story of the birth of Christ, however, doesn’t begin in the Hill Country of Judea, as much as Linus from  A Charlie Brown Christmas would have you believe. Instead, Luke, author of the most chronologically accurate account of the life of Christ**, brings us farther back than Matthew, and tells us about the announcements of coming births of John and Jesus to their respective mothers. 

To be fair, today’s reading is 80 verses long! That’s long! I want to give you rapid fire thoughts and questions as the devotion for today:

Theophilus means in Greek “Friend of God.” While there may have been a person who commissioned the work from Luke, it could also be a title. Are you the friend of God to whom Luke is writing? Do you need to hear an accurate, orderly account of the life of Jesus to know with certainty the things you have been taught?

Both Zechariah and Mary respond to Gabriel, the messenger angel, with a similar question: How can this be? However, there are a few differences. Zechariah is a older man, a husband, a priest, that is a leader of the people, working in the temple. Mary is a young woman, unmarried,  virginal, still probably in the house of her mother and father until her time to be wed to Joseph had come. Gabriel (but really, God) expected Zechariah to comply, to say “Lord I believe” and to follow through on the promise of God. Mary growing up in an agrarian society, would know that in her current state, babies would be impossible to come by. 

When God announces his plan to you, do you trust that he will follow through? How much of him have you seen? Are you overlooking miracles? However, know that he isn’t mad when you ask him how to accomplish the (what appears to be) impossible. You too may just need the Holy Spirit to do the impossible. Are you willing to say “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled”?

A quick note, without a question, is that John, in the womb of Elizabeth, responded to the Messiah. Elizabeth thinks her baby is a person before he is born. 

Final thought – Both Mary and Zechariah sing their joy to God. Take some time today and ponder what song you would sing if you could sing it. The lyrics don’t have to be perfect or rhyme. Their doesn’t need to be a meter, or pitch. But what would you sing to God to give him glory? Or, find a song that shares your heart, and sing that to God, thinking of all the blessings he has given you. 

No matter the song in your heart, starting today, have yourself a merry little Christmas now. 

-Jake Ballard

* The wise men weren’t at the manger, but that’s OK! Use that to teach people about Jesus!

**In the author’s correct and very humble opinion.

QUESTIONS

See Above!

2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

What then is This Child going to be?

Luke Chapter 1

Luke 1 66 NIV.png

Reading through the first chapter of Luke came at a very appropriate time for myself.  I recently had my first baby last month.   On top of that, I first became an uncle just a couple of months ago.  Therefore, my wife, Jamie, was pregnant at the same time her sister, Jennifer, was pregnant.  I find myself writing this devotion while we are Facetiming my twin niece and nephew and holding our baby.

 

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was pregnant at the same time her cousin, Mary, was pregnant with Jesus.  Both John the Baptist and Jesus (clearly) end up playing huge roles in the grand scheme of things.  I appreciate that Luke took the time to start both of their stories as newborns!  Everybody’s story starts as a wee little baby, even the Savior of the world!  I would have loved to have seen and held baby John and Jesus!

 

When they were babies, they had all the potential in the world.  John the Baptist went on to prepare the way for the Christ, and Jesus was the Christ himself!  Every little baby that we come into contact with has all the potential in the world, and I hope that we can all realize that.

 

We will talk more about baby Jesus tomorrow, but these babies were no ordinary babies.  John the Baptist was peculiar in that “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:16).  Not only was he filled with the Holy Spirit, but his birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel.  John’s father, Zechariah, was also made mute until his son was born because of his disbelief.  From the very get go, John was a very special baby, and he grew to be a very special man of God.

 

The babies and young children that we come into contact with may not have had some of the same experiences as John the Baptist or Jesus.  However, they still have all the potential in the world.  We need to be taking great care of our younglings.

 

I encourage you to take a minute or two out of your day and pray for all the little fellas and gals in your life and pray that they grow to be marvelous men and women of God!

 

Kyle McClain