January 26 - Luke 4

Please find my comments in bold purple beneath the verses.

Luke 4

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,[a] 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, knowing Jesus would be tempted by the devil.  However, I note that as the Spirit led Jesus, Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.  He was prepared to face what was ahead.  Even so, 40 days of temptation is a long time!

3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’[b]”

Okay, so after 40 days of no food, I'm sure Jesus was very hungry.  A loaf of bread must have sounded good to Him.  Yet He was wise enough to put God first in His life, not physical desires.  He relied on God's Word to see Him through this temptation.  We have that same Word available to us today.  

5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’[c]”

How is it that the devil owns all the kingdoms of the world...were they not God's to give...did not Jesus already have full authority over them through His Father?  I am guessing the key lies in that they are "kingdoms of the world"...the corrupt world, the evil world, not the created world.  It's more about the "kingdoms" than the creation.  But what a subtle temptation!  If Jesus would bow down to satan, He could have authority over all those kingdoms...yet He himself would  be under the authority of satan.  I'm so glad He could see through this one!

9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.
11 And they will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[d]”

12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[e]”

13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Now satan is trying to make a fool out of Jesus...asking Him to do a circus act, to act like Superman.  Jesus basically told him to knock it off...satan was way out of line trying to tempt the Son of God.  So satan leaves...but notice, he wasn't finished with Jesus yet.  He would be watching for his next opportunity, for the devil had declared war against Jesus.  He was not going to give up!

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.[f]”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”
28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

The public ministry of Jesus has begun.  He starts in His own home town, but He confronts them with the truth...they wanted signs from Him, but they did not believe Him to be the Son of God.  They wanted entertainment, a home town hero they could boast about, but they did want someone who was going to call a spade a spade and walk away from them.  He got their ire up a little bit!  How was it that He was able to walk away right through the crowd itself?  Remember, He was filled with the Holy Spirit...the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Casts Out a Demon

31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.32 There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

33 Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil[g] spirit—began shouting at Jesus, 34 “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
35 Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.
36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” 37 The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Jesus, who did not bow to satan's authority, is now demanding the evil spirits of satan to obey Him.  They had to flee at the command of Jesus.  People had never seen this kind of authority before.  Where were these people when Jesus was being crucified three years later?  Were they there at the cross?  Were they part of the fickle crowd that changed their opinion of Jesus at every wind?  Yes, no doubt.  

Jesus Heals Many People

38 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

Jesus heals by His touch, and He expels demons at His command.  He is living proof that He truly is the Son of God.  He walked among men, showing them a better way, showing them the Power of God.  This was His time be on our earth and demonstrate God's love, and God's justice.  He had a mission to accomplish, and He knew His time was short.  

Jesus Continues to Preach

42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.[h]

Those times of isolation were times of renewal for Jesus.  He knew He needed to be in touch with His Father, He needed the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was not on this mission by Himself, nor could He make it on His own.  This is hard to comprehend, for if He was God, and He is God, why couldn't He just do everything in His own power?  How do you explain the Triune Godhead?  I cannot, but I can tell you this.  If Jesus needed times of isolation to be alone with God, so do I, all the more.  I cannot give out of my own strength, but only what I have been given from my heavenly Father.  "I am weak, but He is strong!"  (Jesus Loves Me).

Footnotes:

1. 4:1 Some manuscripts read into the wilderness.
2. 4:4 Deut 8:3.
3. 4:8 Deut 6:13.
4. 4:10-11 Ps 91:11-12.
5. 4:12 Deut 6:16.
6. 4:18-19 Or and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Isa 61:1-2 (Greek version); 58:6.
7. 4:33 Greek unclean; also in 4:36.
8. 4:44 Some manuscripts read Galilee.

January 19 - Luke 3

You will find my comments in bold purple letters following the verses.

Luke 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler[a] over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler[b] over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!
5 The valleys will be filled,
    and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
    and the rough places made smooth.
6 And then all people will see
    the salvation sent from God.’”[c]

I wonder how old John was when he left home and went to the wilderness to live as he preached and baptized.  He and Jesus were about the same age, and Jesus was 30 when John baptized Him.  How long had he been preaching when he baptized his cousin?

7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”
14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.
John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

John didn't pull any punches, did he!  He must have had some kind of charisma that people would flock to see him and hear him preach.  It's not surprising that eventually the religious leaders, who considered themselves so righteous, had him jailed, where he was eventually beheaded.  He was given his message to deliver, and was faithful to do so.  

15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 

This is probably why they came out in numbers to see and hear John.  They were looking for the Messiah, their deliverer, to come.

16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with[d] water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.[e] 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
19 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[f] for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

I am in error.  It was not the religious leaders who had John put in prison, but Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee.  Herodias, his wife...formerly the wife of his brother, was the one who requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter.  But that comes later.

The Baptism of Jesus

21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.[g]”

Thus Jesus was introduced as God's Son.  Wonder what the reaction of the crowd was when they heard the voice from heaven.  This represents a turning point in the life of Jesus.  Was He human enough to need this affirmation from His Father?  Did He know what was ahead of Him for the next three years?  

The Baptism of Jesus is an example to all of us who are adopted into God's family.  If it was necessary for Jesus, the Son of God, to be baptized, then how much more important is it for us to go through the same sacrament.  It is a way in which we identify that we also are part of God's family.  For baptism to truly be a witness to others, we must live up to the standard of a child of God.  

The Ancestors of Jesus

23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.

Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.
Joseph was the son of Heli.
24 Heli was the son of Matthat.
Matthat was the son of Levi.
Levi was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Jannai.
Jannai was the son of Joseph.
25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Amos.
Amos was the son of Nahum.
Nahum was the son of Esli.
Esli was the son of Naggai.
26 Naggai was the son of Maath.
Maath was the son of Mattathias.
Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Semein was the son of Josech.
Josech was the son of Joda.
27 Joda was the son of Joanan.
Joanan was the son of Rhesa.
Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the son of Neri.
28 Neri was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Addi.
Addi was the son of Cosam.
Cosam was the son of Elmadam.
Elmadam was the son of Er.
29 Er was the son of Joshua.
Joshua was the son of Eliezer.
Eliezer was the son of Jorim.
Jorim was the son of Matthat.
Matthat was the son of Levi.
30 Levi was the son of Simeon.
Simeon was the son of Judah.
Judah was the son of Joseph.
Joseph was the son of Jonam.
Jonam was the son of Eliakim.
31 Eliakim was the son of Melea.
Melea was the son of Menna.
Menna was the son of Mattatha.
Mattatha was the son of Nathan.
Nathan was the son of David.
32 David was the son of Jesse.
Jesse was the son of Obed.
Obed was the son of Boaz.
Boaz was the son of Salmon.[h]
Salmon was the son of Nahshon.
33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the son of Admin.
Admin was the son of Arni.[i]
Arni was the son of Hezron.
Hezron was the son of Perez.
Perez was the son of Judah.
34 Judah was the son of Jacob.
Jacob was the son of Isaac.
Isaac was the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the son of Terah.
Terah was the son of Nahor.
35 Nahor was the son of Serug.
Serug was the son of Reu.
Reu was the son of Peleg.
Peleg was the son of Eber.
Eber was the son of Shelah.
36 Shelah was the son of Cainan.
Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.
Arphaxad was the son of Shem.
Shem was the son of Noah.
Noah was the son of Lamech.
37 Lamech was the son of Methuselah.
Methuselah was the son of Enoch.
Enoch was the son of Jared.
Jared was the son of Mahalalel.
Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.
38 Kenan was the son of Enosh.[j]
Enosh was the son of Seth.
Seth was the son of Adam.
Adam was the son of God.

Okay, got that?  Try that for scripture memorization!  Adam was the son of God.  There's more theology in that statement then I would even attempt to tackle.  

Footnotes:

1. 3:1a Greek Herod was tetrarch. Herod Antipas was a son of King Herod.
2. 3:1b Greek tetrarch; also in 3:1c.
3. 3:4-6 Isa 40:3-5 (Greek version).
4. 3:16a Or in.
5. 3:16b Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
6. 3:19 Greek Herod the tetrarch.
7. 3:22 Some manuscripts read my Son, and today I have become your Father.
8. 3:32 Greek Sala, a variant spelling of Salmon; also in 3:32b. See Ruth 4:22.
9. 3:33 Some manuscripts read Amminadab was the son of Aram. Arni and Aram are alternate spellings of Ram. See 1 Chr 2:9-10.
10. 3:38 Greek Enos, a variant spelling of Enosh; also in 3:38b. See Gen 5:6.

January 12 - Luke 2

Please find my reflections following the verses in bold, purple print.

Luke 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

My 8 year old granddaughter assisted me with a Christmas Eve Birthday celebration for Jesus.  The family gathered around, and while I read Luke's version of the Birth of Jesus, she, dressed as an angel, put the nativity scene in place in the order in which people arrived at the stable.  I read from Matthew 2 for the story of the wise men coming to visit Jesus, to honor Him as King (gift of gold); as Deity/God (gift of frankincense); and as our Sacrifice/Savior (gift of myrrh).  

It was interesting to research the meaning of the gifts.  The family participated by singing the verses of "We Three Kings", which was written by Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who was the music director at the General Theological Seminary (Episcopalian).  He wrote the song in 1857 for a pageant in New York City.  Once I better understood the meaning of the gifts, the song made so much more theological sense to me as it explicitly states how the gifts were fitting for the Newborn King, Jesus.

The Shepherds and Angels

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

I was very privileged to be part of a class of 25 from Lee University in Cleveland, TN which took a study tour of Israel for class credit.  One of our stops was Shepherds' Field, located outside the city of Bethlehem.  There were rock ledges in this hillside country where shepherds and animals could gather for safety from storms.  It was such a peaceful setting, so open to the sky.  One could almost imagine a host of angels praising God and singing.  

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”[a] 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[b]

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

What a blessing for Simeon to hold God's Son in his arms, the fulfilling of God's promise to him.  However, what a heart-rendering message he delivered to Mary, that a sword will pierce her soul because of what her son must endure.  Mothers have a nurturing nature that does not want anything bad to happen to their children.  They will do what is necessary to protect them, but in some cases they cannot.  I think Mary probably realized many things would happen in the life of her son that she would have to give over to God to relieve her pain of seeing her child rejected and abused and slandered, and, finally, crucified.  

The Prophecy of Anna

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[c] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[d]50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Jesus grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.  In ways we all must grow.  We eat, we go to school, we are among friends and family, but what about our spiritual growth?  How do we attain that?  Hopefully we attend church regularly, but it takes so much more than going into a public building.  Spiritual growth is nurtured by an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is influenced by the words of scripture, which we are to read and obey.  Worship is a communion with God that we can enter into and be renewed.  I am also an advocate of journaling, writing down thoughts that are God-inspired.  Without a doubt communication is the key to depth in all relationships, and prayer is how we communicate with our Father.  It should be as natural as breathing to us.  He knows our hearts and our thoughts, but He wants us to share them with Him from our lips...take the time to acknowledge His daily presence with us.

Footnotes:

1. 2:23 Exod 13:2.
2. 2:24 Lev 12:8.
3. 2:37 Or She had been a widow for eighty-four years.
4. 2:49 Or “Didn’t you realize that I should be involved with my Father’s affairs?”

Jan 5 - Luke 1

You will find my personal reflections inserted below the verse in bold purple print.

Luke 1

New Living Translation (NLT)

Introduction

1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.[a] 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Dr. Luke is writing this gospel (good news about Jesus Christ) to Theophilus, a name stemming from two Greek words which mean Friend of God.  "Theos" is Greek for God, and "philus" is a form of "phileo".  There are three words for love in the Greek, each having a different connotation.  Phileo is the love of a friend, versus Agape love, which is Godly love, and Eros, which is an erotic kind of love.  There are those who believe that Theophilus is not a particular person, but a code name for anyone who is a friend of God.  Therefore Dr. Luke is writing to all of us who want to know more about the life of Jesus Christ, Son of God.  He was a doctor who was particular about details and clarity, thus he is writing "a careful account".

As I start my 2014 Bible reading and reflecting program, I am going to insert what I can recall from my Seminary and Greek Biblical Studies, which may not be much, and may not be perfect.  It's just a method of stretching my mind in this new year, as well as interacting with the scripture.  I am grateful to my cousin, Rev. Lois Barnum Phelps, for inviting me to this method of Bible reading for 2014.  

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.[b] 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,[c] and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Sounds like a tough punishment to make Zechariah mute for the months leading up to the birth of John simply because he questioned Gabriel's announcement.  I will choose to believe it was more of a sign than a punishment.  However, how many times do I doubt God?  What are the consequences of my lack of faith?  I excuse myself by saying, "I'm human...God understands that about me because He created me."  But Zechariah paid the price for his lack of faith.  Is God more lenient with us now?  Or am I also paying the price in other ways?  This should be a lesson for me to NOT doubt God!!

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you![d]”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel[e] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

Okay, so here is Mary questioning Gabriel about the birth of Jesus.  She was not muted.  Is it a gender thing, an age difference?  Was it the attitude behind the questions?  Some things in scripture are hard to understand, for they don't always seem consistent.  This was unbelievable news Mary has received, and her reaction was only normal.  But seems to me that Zechariah's reaction was only normal also.  Perhaps because he was a priest and had served the Lord for so many years, he should have been more accepting of Gabriel's announcement.  Something is going on here in these two announcements that I do not understand.

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.[f]”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

This is a powerful response from Mary.  It has been estimated that she was only 14 years of age.  Is this the faith of a child that pleases God so much?  What was it about Mary that caused God to choose her to be the mother of His son?  Certainly she remained humble, and trusted what the angel had said to her.  She did not doubt God once she had an explanation of her becoming pregnant, yet being a virgin.  Who would conceive such a plan except the Creator?

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I've had it explained to me by a Pentecostal friend that no one was ever filled with the Holy Spirit until Pentecost, after Jesus had gone back to heaven.  But here we have Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit even before Jesus was born.  Wonder what was the "evidence" of her being filled with the Spirit?  There are those that insist that one must speak in tongues to prove they have been filled with the Holy Spirit.  My personal belief is that a person filled with the Spirit is also filled with Agape love...a Godly love that is evidenced in one's behavior and one's attitude.  It is a love that just overflows with the joy of the Lord.  I believe Elizabeth was surely overflowing with such joy and love.

42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise

46 Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.”

Out of the mouth of a 14 year old?  Or out of the mouth of one also anointed by the Holy Spirit?  Divine wisdom.

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. 58 And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

59 When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

61 “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” 62 So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Funny how people thought Zechariah couldn't hear because he couldn't speak.  I'm sure there were many times when he was frustrated, not being able to explain to others what had happened to him.  I also believe because of his muteness, he was often rejected, left out of things...people considered him handicapped and didn't know how to include him in their conversations.  He probably remained secluded with Elizabeth just to avoid the cruelty of people.  When he could speak again, his first response was not to rebuke the people, but to praise God.  At that moment people began to realize a God-thing was going on here.  I wonder how many of those people were around when John began to baptize and prophesy out in the Jordan River.  Were any of them baptized by him?

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior[g]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
73 the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

76 “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,[h]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Zechariah is now filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke under that anointing...words of prophecy.  He didn't have to wait until Pentecost.

80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Footnotes:

1. 1:2 Greek from those who from the beginning were servants of the word.
2. 1:15 Or even from birth.
3. 1:17 See Mal 4:5-6.
4. 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women.
5. 1:33 Greek over the house of Jacob.
6. 1:37 Some manuscripts read For the word of God will never fail.
7. 1:69 Greek has raised up a horn of salvation for us.
8. 1:78 Or the Morning Light from Heaven is about to visit us.