Who wrote Luke?
Consider “them” vs. “we”Acts 1:1-5 – Luke obviously not an apostle.Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-12; 21:1-28:16 – Was a participant in ActsShows Luke with Paul and his entourageShows companionship with PaulIrenaeus, Tertullian“According to Luke”Mid-second to early third centuriesMuratorian fragment from late second centuryWritten after Mark, before Acts, circa AD 80-90Luke 1
Luke 1:1-4 – Luke’s preamble
Making an accountFrom eyewitnessesInvestigated from the beginningWrote “in order”Show Theophilus the “exact truth”Inspiration?Luke 1:5-25 – Prophecy of the birth of John
When? Luke dates it for usIn the days of Herod the kingWhen Zacharias was priestWhen Abijah’s clan was in rotation (I Chronicles 24:5-18)Eighth of twenty-four lotsAs commanded by David – symbolic?Wife also descendant of Aaron, barrenBoth righteousBoth advanced in age (beyond normal child-bearing age)Zacharias drew the lot to burn incenseAlone in the temple?One cleaned the altar of incenseAnother placed new incense into altarThird priest entered alone to offer the incense and prayersAltar of incense in Holy Place before the veilVeil separates Holy Place from Most Holy PlaceVeil torn at the death of JesusOffering incense, making intercession for IsraelPeople outside offering prayersPeople beyond the courts offering prayersGabriel appearsDon’t be afraid – prayer heard and grantedA lot goes with that answered prayerSon, name him JohnNo wine or liquorFilled with the Holy SpiritTurn many Israelites back to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16)He’ll go before Him in spirit and power of Elijah“Him” meaning God (Luke 1:16)Between the lines: Jesus is GodHearts of fathers back to children (eye to the future)Disobedient to attitude of righteousPreparing a path for the LordZacharias’ response – Gabriel’s reactionQuestions possibilityWhat made him doubt?Was that wrong?Gabriel – seems insultedI’m GabrielSent to bring you this good newsYou’ll be mute because you didn’t believeUntil it all takes placeMuteness happens immediatelyZacharias’ reception outsideLarge crowd outside the templeHe was taking a long time – wondered whyHe came out muteThey recognized he’d seen a visionHe spoke with his hands, couldn’t speakWent home at rotation’s endElizabeth conceivedSecludes herself five monthsSaid God had taken away her reproach among menWhy reproach?Instruction repeated: Be fruitful and multiplyShe’d been unable to be part of that command and its promiseLuke 1:26-38 – Jesus’ birth foretold
Gabriel’s messageGreeting – you’ve received graceThe Lord is with youYou are blessed among womenMary perplexed by the greetingGabriel saw her perplexionDon’t be afraid, you’ve found favor with GodConceive, bear a son, name Him JesusHe’ll be great, be called the Son of the Most HighLord God will give Him throne of His father DavidHe’ll reign over the house of Jacob foreverHis kingdom will have no endWhat does this say to Mary? Any religiously informed Jew?MESSIAH!Mary’s questionHow? (Not, “will it happen” or “how can I know/believe” but “how will it be done?”)How different from Zacharias’ question?Belief vs unbeliefAnswer: Holy Spirit will come upon youPower of the Most High will overshadow youThat’s why your holy Child will be called the Son of GodOh, by the way …Elizabeth is in her sixth monthConceived in her old age, no longer barrenNOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GODMaryBehold, the bondslave of the LordMay it be done according to your wordLuke 1:39-45 – Mary visits Elizabeth
Don’t know exactly whereA city of Judah in the hill countryJohn leaped inside Elizabeth’s womb.Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.Elizabeth speaksBlessedYou among womenThe fruit of your wombBlessed by visit of “the mother of my Lord”Mary blessed for having believed that spoken by the LordMary praises GodHer joyIn GodIn His regarding her, His bondslaveShe’ll always be regarded as blessedDone great things, His name is holyHis mercy is on every generation who fears HimHis strength, His deedsExalts the humbleHis help and mercy upon IsraelMary’s attitude of obedienceImportance in God having selected her?How about Joseph?Obedience springs from belief – Luke 1:45Jesus would learn obedience in His lifeLuke 1:57-66 – The birth of John
Mary goes home after three monthsEighth day – circumcisionNaming was coincidental – Zacharias, after his fatherElizabeth: “No, John”Defer to father (signing with hands) – “John” not a family nameZacharias writes, “His name is John.”All in the region talked about itZacharias now speaking, filled with the Holy SpiritLuke 1:67-80 – Zacharias’ prophecies of his son
Praises GodReminds of the covenantSays John will by the prophet of the Most HighHe will go before the Lord to prepare His waysKnowledge of salvationForgiveness of sinsJohn grows upAnd the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
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