The December Gospel of Luke Challenge – Looking at Luke Look at Jesus: Dec. 1 - Luke 1

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge                      

 – Looking at Luke Look at Jesus: Dec. 1 - Luke 1

Thanks for jumping in on this challenge. The goal is simple—Learn Jesus. 

There are twenty-four chapters in the Gospel of Luke. The challenge is: beginning on December 1, read Luke 1. Then on each day through Christmas Eve, read the corresponding chapter with that day’s date.

For additional enrichment, journal or simply list the highlights of each day’s reading. I will share my own notes some days. My journaling will be hand written in a notebook and I won’t always have time to type it into the computer and post it. When I can, I will enjoy doing so.

An introduction and further explanation can be found in my blog post of November 28, 2017.    <>   So now, let the challenge begin.

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December 1 – Luke 1:  

Pray, thanking God for Jesus and for His Word. Read Luke 1, if you haven’t already. 

v. 1-4 – Luke lays out his objectives in writing about Jesus: 1- to set in order the things fulfilled among us—an orderly account; 2- get the eyewitness accounts; 3- get truthful information. 

Luke is directing his narrative to “most excellent Theophilus.” Theophilus means, friend of God; lover of God. Scholars don’t know if Theophilus was an actual person to whom Luke entrusted his story and who would see to spreading the Good News, or if this was a name used by Luke to include all who loved God.

 

V. 5 – Luke establishes the time in history of these occurrences. 

V. 5-23 –Luke tells of the miraculous conception and birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias and Elizabeth, a barren couple beyond child-bearing age.

V. 13 - When the angel, Gabriel, appeared Zacharias was startled and fearful. Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid...” 

In scripture whenever an angel appears to someone, that person is struck with fear. The angel always says some form of “Fear Not.” I don’t care for depictions of angels as babies or feminine. That is a wrong representation of these mighty warrior type messengers of God. I prefer seeing a daunting, authoritative figure.

v. 19 - I love this: “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings?”

v. 20 – It’s interesting that God decided to mute Zacharias until the birth of John.

v. 26-27 – God sent Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to the virgin, Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David.

Already in chapter 1, we’re reminded of the many prophesies about Messiah that are being fulfilled in the story of Jesus, and He has not even been born yet.

Nazareth Village depiction of 1st century carpenter's workshop in Nazareth, Israel -photo by Connie Wohlford

v. 28 – Gabriel’s greeting to Mary is awesome: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women!”

v. 29-30 – Naturally Mary was alarmed and Gabriel spoke the beautiful words, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

v. 31-35 – Gabriel tells Mary how she’ll become pregnant with God’s own Son. “... that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (v. 35).

v. 36-37 – Gabriel tells Mary about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (v. 37).

v. 38 – Mary’s famous response to the pronouncement that she has been chosen to be the mother of the long awaited Jewish Messiah: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

I want to reply to God in this same positive way whenever He calls me to do something. Lord, help me to be like Mary.

v. 39-45 – I love the account of Mary’s visit with Elizabeth—that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice she was filled with the Holy Spirit and John leaped for joy in her womb. How very exciting!

v. 45-55 known as “The Song of Mary” begins, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (v. 45). She continues on, beautifully and humbly praising God for His awesomeness and faithfulness; amazed that He chose her to play such a part in accomplishing His cosmic plan. 

v. 56 – Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, then went home.

v. 57-58 – Elizabeth gave birth to a son and her neighbors rejoiced with her.

v. 59-60 - On the eighth day baby John was circumcised. All assumed he would be named Zacharias after his father. Elizabeth said, “No; he shall be called John.”

In Jewish tradition, a part of the ceremony of circumcision, is the official recording of the child’s name.

v. 61-63 – The people made signs to Zacharias asking what his name should be. He wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.” All the people marveled.

In Jewish tradition, a baby’s name is to be a family name. Apparently, John was not.

v. 64 – I love this: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.”

v. 65-66 – Fear came over the people and the news of the event spread all over the area. All who heard held it in their hearts and said, “What kind of child will this be?”

v. 67-79 – Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David ...”

If you haven’t already, do go read Zacharias’ powerful proclamation. 

v. 80 – The child, John, grew and spent time in the desert until his ministry was revealed to Israel.

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There we have it—the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, and it was a long one, but full of wonderful information setting the stage for chapter two, where we’ll read about the birth and infancy of Jesus, the Christ Child.

Thank you for joining in on this December challenge. I pray you’ll be blessed in it.

Your comments are welcome below. All who read would enjoy hearing about the highlights of Luke 1 from your perspective. 

God bless you as you meditate on God’s wonder-filled workings in the lives of Joseph, Mary, Zacharias and Elizabeth.

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford