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INTRODUCTION

Luke & the Synoptics

     Luke is the third of the Synoptics, the first three similar Gospels. Luke is the physician who accompanied Paul (Acts 16:11 -), and he compiled both this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Both books are a careful compilation, written for a Greek friend (see Lk 1:3,4, Acts 1:1). Although much of the Synoptic Gospels seems to come from common sources, each one has their own characteristics. In the early chapters especially of Luke, there is much material that is unique to Luke.

 

Luke the Herald

     We'll see as we read, that these early chapters are pure testimony to who Jesus is. Luke is quite clear in his mind and he wants to share that with his friend in a clear orderly way, so he starts right back with the miraculous events surrounding both the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. At the birth of Jesus there is testimony to him from angels, shepherds, and two Spirit-filled people in the Temple. When he is twelve Jesus heralds himself. When he is thirty, John the Baptist heralds Jesus as does the Father at his baptism. Then Jesus heralds himself in the synagogue at Nazareth and this is followed by demons heralding him as he casts them out in the start of his ministry. Throughout these chapters the finger is pointed at Jesus, for us, as if to say, “Look, there is no mistake, this IS the Son of God!”

 

Part 1: “B.C.”    Luke, chapter 1

     In this first chapter we'll see, first of all, Luke explaining why he is writing. The opening words are of a careful scholar and should give us confidence in believing what we read. Those opening words make what follows even more remarkable. In the chapter that follows we have accounts of the work and moving of angels and the Holy Spirit. This is a chapter about divinely supernatural happenings. Settle your mind to this; this Gospel is all about the working and moving of God on behalf of, and through, His Son.

     This chapter is all about the background to the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus. It challenges us with the activity of a supernatural God who is not afraid to step into and move in His world, in ways that run counter to nature. This chapter is all about “Before Christ”, the events leading up to his birth. They are unique to Luke and reveal the caring heart of a physician.

Study No.1 : Introduction : Luke 1:1-4

 

A. Find Out:    

     

1. What had many done? v.1

2. How had this been possible? v.2

3. What had Luke done? v.3a

4. What had Luke then decided to do? v.3b

5. With what aim in mind? v.4

 

B. Think:

1. Read also Luke 3:1,2    What does that detail tell us?

2. Was Luke's the only account written at this time?

3. What impression does Luke convey to us in these verses?

C. Comment:

     In the beginning of this particular Gospel, we find Luke making some comments which should greatly reassure us about what we will be reading. Cynics and critics say you can't believe the Bible because it is unreliable. Luke's opening words challenge that viewpoint.

  

      He tells us, first of all, that a number of people have already been writing about these things. Whether that includes Matthew and Mark (John wrote a lot later) we aren't told. What he does tell us is that we can believe what was written because the information came from eye witnesses, those who had actually been with Jesus.

      He also tells us that he himself had actually investigated it all, from the outset. We know from the book of Acts that he travelled with Paul and was a clear believer, but we aren't told when he first started checking out the truth of all he had heard. He is a doctor, a man of science, an investigator of truth and he's investigated the Gospel accounts.

      Having carried out that investigation, as he realises that others are writing accounts, it seems only sensible to him to write up what he's found out so that his friend can be certain about the truth of what he's heard. These opening words thus give us great confidence when we come to read about Jesus. This is no casual writing, no collection of myths. This is history as 3:1,2 clearly shows us. We can believe it!

 

D. Application:

1. The Gospels are historical accounts, carefully compiled.

• Luke was careful about his research about Jesus. Do we take similar time, effort and care in checking the records?

2. Jesus is an historical figure. He came in time-space history.

• Christianity is a supernatural religion based in material space-time history. Am I aware of the historical dimension of my faith?  Do I need to learn more about the foundations of my faith?

 

    

Study No.2 : Zechariah Introduced : Luke 1:5-12

A. Find Out:

         

1. What was the background of Zechariah and Elizabeth? v.5

2. What sort of people were they? v.6

3. Yet what one problem did they have? v.7

4. What was Zechariah chosen to do, when? v.8,9

5. What happened while he was there? v.11

6. What was his response? v.12

 

B. Think:

1. What sort of person does Zechariah appear to be up until now?

2. Why do you think he was afraid when the angel came?

3. What do you think that indicates about him?

C. Comment:

     Luke starts his history of Jesus by describing first the coming of the forerunner, John the Baptist, and gives us the background to his birth. Both of his parents come from the priestly family and both are described as really good people. Their one sadness was that they had no children.

     The initial absence of children is seen, in a number of scriptural instances, to have been the precursor to the arrival of a special child with much blessing to follow e.g. Sarai having Isaac (Gen. 11:30 on), Rebekah having Jacob & Esau (Gen. 25:21 on), Hannah having Samuel (1 Sam 1). Now this couple have waited years and years and are both quite old and they are about to have their experience of God's life-bringing intervention.

     Seemingly by chance, chosen by lot (but there are no “chances” with God), Zechariah has the privilege of burning incense in the temple. It is there in the temple that an angel appears to him. Why was Zechariah afraid? Was it that the presence of a holy angel was awe inspiring, or was it that it was just so unexpected? It is so easy to go through religious ritual or spiritual exercises and not expect God to turn up. How often when we are praying or worshipping do we expect the presence of the Lord to come in supernatural ways?

 

D. Application:

1. Childlessness is an opportunity for God to come and bless.

• We can be lacking in many areas of life. Dare we believe that God can come and bring change to us and in us?

2. Are we alert for the presence of God to come to us?

• How often when, for instance, we are praying or worshipping, do we expect the presence of the Lord to come in supernatural ways?

3. God works within the details of our lives.

• Do we understand that things do not happen 'by chance' with God?

4. Being ‘religious' is insufficient.

• Christianity is all about having a living relationship with God, which performing religious ritual cannot match.

     

Study No.3 : Response : Luke 1:13-25

A. Find Out:

           

1. What would happen and what should Zechariah do? v.13

2. What effect will the child have and why? v.14,15a,16,17

3. What is the child to do and what will happen to him? v.15b,c

4. What Zechariah's response to this? v.18

5. What was the angel's response to him & what happened? v.19-22

6. What subsequently happened? v.23-25

 

B. Think:

1. What are we told about the baby who will be John the Baptist

2. What are we told about Zechariah's response to Gabriel?

3. How did Elizabeth view her pregnancy?

C. Comment:

     First of all consider Zechariah. Zechariah was first of all afraid (v.12) and now he exhibits clear unbelief (v.20). This is a man with a deep religious background, who keeps the Law meticulously but who never the less struggles with faith. Keeping the Law and moving in faith are two different things. It's fairly easy to keep the rules, but it's not so easy to respond when God comes and speaks, either through an angel or more likely to us today, through the Holy Spirit. The key issue is always “Will we believe what He says, and will we do it?” In this instance the Lord gave Zechariah a token to remain with him that would remind him that God had spoken and God meant it - silence!

     Next consider what we are told about John the Baptist.  First he will bring joy to his parents, because they have waited so long for him. Second, he will take a high place in God's estimation and in God's plans. Third, he is going to be a Nazarite, v.15 (see Num 6:1-4), one who is separated to God for a special purpose. Fourth, he is going to be filled with the Spirit even from birth. (see 1:41 for that fulfilment). Fifth, his ministry will mean many people coming back to God (v.16), as he ministers with the same authority as Elijah (v.17) to bring reconciliation within families, God's basic building block.

 

D. Application:

1. When God speaks, He looks for belief and faith in us.

• The key issue is always will we believe what He says, and will we do it? Religious ritual is not enough, faith is.

2. God's will is impossible.

• So often what God says seems impossible to us. Dare we believe Him?

3. A ministry of reconciliation.

• This was John's ministry. So it is ours. (2 Cor 5:18 ,19)

  

 

Study No.4 : Mary  : Luke 1:26-38

   

A. Find Out:

         

1. What are we told about Mary? v.27

2. Who came and said what to her? v.26,28,30

3. What are we told about her son? v.31-33,35c

4. How did the angel say this would happen? v.35

5. What were the different responses in Mary? v.29,34,38

6. What encourage did the angel give? v.36,37

 

B. Think:

1. How was Jesus to be different from John?

2. How were Mary's responses different from Zechariah's?

C. Comment:

     Luke now moves from telling us about how John's birth was foretold, to how Jesus' birth was also foretold, by the same angel.

     Mary is a young woman, soon to be married to a man called Joseph, a descendant of king David. That's all we're told about her. But the angel calls her favoured, and then tells her she'll have a child, what he'll be like and how it will happen.

     Let's first consider her responses. Unlike Zechariah she isn't fearful, just wondering why she should be called favoured. Next she points out she is a virgin as that seems a natural stumbling block, and although betrothed to Joseph presumably they had not intended to get married just yet. Her question is obviously not unbelief, simply wanting to clear the way for God's will to be done. Finally she simply accepts it all with those vital words: “May it be as you have said”.

     Then let's consider the description of her son. His name is to be Jesus (or Jeshua / Joshua) meaning deliverer. He will be Son of God, he will be a ruler, but a ruler for ever! This description is clear: this one will be called the Son of God, holy. For Mary, the magnitude of that could probably not be realised, the words could be taken to mean he will be seen to be holy, a child of God. The words about him ruling for ever reveal him to be THE Son of God.

 

D. Application:

1. Open-hearted faith.

• This was Mary's response. May we be the same when the Lord speaks to us.

2. A Son to be worshipped

• This son is THE Son of God who deserves our worship. May he get it!

3. The challenge of the supernatural.

• When God speaks it is exciting, but remember obedience is more important than the thrill.

 

  

Study No.5 : Mary & Elizabeth  : Luke 1:39-45

A. Find Out:

           

1. Who went where? v.39,40

2. What 3 things happened to Elizabeth ? v.41

3. How did she immediately respond? v.42

4. What did she ask? v.43

5. Of what was she aware? v.44

6. Who did she say was blessed? v.45

 

B. Think:

1. When was Elizabeth filled with the Spirit?

2. What two signs were there that this was happening?

3. Of what supernatural knowledge was she aware?

C. Comment:

     Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, both women carry a baby that had been spoken about by the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth's conceived by human means and God's help, Mary's by means of the Holy Spirit without the help of a man.

     Observe first what happened when Mary spoke: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. A person being “filled” with the Spirit was not completely unknown - see Ex 31:3 & 35:31 - but in the O.T. the Holy Spirit mostly “came upon” a person. This was the first time the Spirit filled a person as was to become common in the N.T. church. The signs of this happening, for Elizabeth, was first, the baby within her leaping as he responded to the Spirit and second, the prophetic utterances that came from her.

     So let's next note just what she said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. First, she acknowledges Mary's privileged position and that of the child she is carrying (v.42). Second, she acknowledges that Mary's baby is her “Lord”. Third, she recognises the link between Mary's greeting and what has happened to her. Fourth, she blesses Mary for believing what she has been told. It is possible that much of what Elizabeth says is in response to what Mary might have told her previously, yet it now comes with a strong sense of faith by the Spirit.

 

D. Application:

1. When a person is filled with the Spirit things happen.

• Do I allow fear to reject the supernatural working of God in me?

2. When a person is filled with the Spirit revelation comes.

• Am I aware of the Lord being able to bring me revelation and insight and understanding?

  

   

Study No.6 : Song  : Luke 1:46-56

A. Find Out:

          

1. What was Mary wanting to do? v.46,47

2. Why? v.48,49

3. What did she know about the Lord? v.50

4. What had He done? v.51,52a

5. Who also had He cared for? v.52b,53

6. What had He done generally? v.54,55

 

B. Think:

1. How would you describe the nature of this song?

2. What did she feel about herself?

3. What did she feel about God?

C. Comment:

     This hymn of praise, sometimes known as “the Magnificat” is in fact, a prophetic declaration as a result of the presence of the Holy Spirit who has just filled Elizabeth and would do nothing less for Mary.

     It is first a spontaneous outpouring of praise. When the Holy Spirit comes, that is always the first thing that happens, whether it be in prayer, in tongues or in prophecy, He always glorifies God.

     Mary rejoices in what the Lord has done for her. The Spirit enables her momentarily to fully appreciate the wonder of what has happened and she rejoices. But then, inspired by the Spirit, she goes further and her sense of understanding of God's greatness in the history of Israel is expanded.

        She recognises the Lord who is first of all merciful to those who fear Him. But then He is a mighty sovereign God who deals with the proud and arrogant, whoever they may be, even rulers.   But He's also a compassionate God who cares for the humble and the hungry and needy. He has blessed Israel again and again, from the very outset of their inception in their father Abraham.    As she is released in the Spirit, Mary is just aware of God's goodness, to her and to her nation. This is revelation! This is truth! This comes as the Spirit brings release and she is a mouthpiece of the Lord.

 

D. Application:

1. The Holy Spirit always brings praise & honour to God.

• Have I known and do I know the filling of the Spirit that brings spontaneous praise and worship?

2. The Holy Spirit always brings truth and revelation.

• Have I known that experience in prayer where praise turns into revelation?

  

  

Study No.7 : John Born :  Luke 1:57-66

A. Find Out:

          

1. What was the feeling about Elizabeth ? v.57,58

2. What happened on the eighth day? v.59

3. What was Elizabeth 's instruction and with what response? v.60,61

4. So how did they check this? v.62

5. What was Zechariah's response and what then happened? v.63,64

6. What sort of reaction did this provoke? v.65,66

 

B. Think:

1. What does the naming by the parents indicate here?

2. What sign was given that they were right?

3. Why were the onlookers surprised?

C. Comment:

     Everything about the coming of John was eventful:  the way the angel dealt with his father, the way his mother was filled with the Spirit part way through her pregnancy, and now in the way he is named.

     The fact that both Elizabeth and Zechariah are set on calling him John indicates the sureness of their faith. Somehow Zechariah must have communicated to Elizabeth what had happened in the temple and what the angel had said. The fact that she then soon became pregnant must have confirmed in their minds that this was an encounter with God. So, at the formal time of naming him, they both agree that they are not to follow tradition but name him John.

     At the point that Zechariah publicly confesses this name, his mouth is released and he is able to speak again. The result is that the whole neighbourhood hears of this and there is a recognition that this child is going to be special.

     Why did all this happen? Perhaps it was just God's signpost to get the attention of some of his people. Apparently He had been quiet in the life of Israel for hundreds of years. Suddenly the divinely supernatural is happening again. God is with His people and unusual things are happening - and this is just the start! When God is truly “with” His people the unusual WILL happen!

 

D. Application:

1. God often uses the unusual to catch our attention.

• Don't write off unusual things as chance. God uses them to catch our attention. Do we take note?

2. When God moves the unusual happens.

• Ours IS a supernatural faith. Do we recognise Him? Do we accept He does impossible things?

3. Obedience is a requirement in Christianity.

• This family's obedience seemed over a simple thing. Do we see the significance of the ‘simple things'?

  

   

Study No.8 : Prophecy:  Luke 1:67-80

A. Find Out:

          

1. What two things happened to Zechariah? v.67

2. List the things he said God had done in v.68-75

3. What did he say John would be? v.76a

4. What did he say John would do? v.76b,77

5. Why, and what else would happen? v.78,79

6. What happened to John? v.80

 

B. Think:

1. Look up Acts 2:4, 4:8-, 4:31 , 10:44 -46, 19:6 What happened whenever

    someone was “filled with the Holy Spirit”?

2. What does Zechariah tell us about John's and Jesus' ministries?

C. Comment:

      As Zechariah's tongue is released he is filled with the Spirit and prophesies. The New Testament shows us that each time people were filled with the Spirit they were released in praise in tongues or in prophecy. When the Spirit fills a person they are released in a new way.

      Zechariah first extols God as the One who has come down to redeem His people from captivity and deliver them from their enemies. Remember this is Holy Spirit inspired, so this is truth. God HAS come to do this but perhaps not in the way His people expected.  How easy it is for us to misunderstand prophecy when it comes.

     Next, he prophesies about his own son, that he will a prophet for God who will prepare the people for God by bringing them to repentance so they can receive forgiveness of sins.

      Finally there is a glimpse of what God is going to do, seen in v.78,79,  as He comes to earth from heaven to lead His people into peace. Whether Zechariah understood the full meaning of what he was saying is unclear, but this describes exactly what would happen, that God, in the form of His Son, would come down from heaven (see Jn 6:38) and bring light into darkness (see Jn 1:4,5,9)

 

D. Application:

1. When a person is filled with the Spirit

• Filling brings a new release of love and revelation. Have you been filled?

2. Jesus comes to bring light and life to us.

• Have I received the revelation of who Jesus is, and have I received his life?

  

    

RECAP No.1  "Before Christ"  Luke 1

    

SUMMARY :  

      

In this first group of 8 studies we have seen :

- Luke's purpose in writing declared

- Zechariah's encounter with an angel

- The foretelling of John the Baptist's birth

- The foretelling of Jesus' birth

- Mary's visit to Elizabeth & her song

- The birth of John

- Zechariah's prophecy

 

COMMENT :

      Chapter 1 is before Christ's birth, Luke recounting how the angel Gabriel came to both Zechariah and to Mary telling them of the coming of John and Jesus respectively. The pregnancies of both Elizabeth and Mary are both supernaturally divine, divinely enabled, and in Mary's case, with no man involved. This is a chapter of angelic visitation and Holy Spirit utterance, an amazing chapter to start an amazing book. Christianity has truly supernatural beginnings; so do we.

 

LESSONS?

1. Jesus is an historical figure who came in time-space history

2. Childlessness is an opportunity for God to bless

3. When God speaks, He looks for a faith response

4. Our ministry is one of reconciliation

5. When the Spirit comes he brings truth & revelation

6. God often uses the unusual to catch our attention

7. Jesus, by his Spirit, brings light and life to us.

 

PRAY :

      Thank the Lord for each of these lessons

 

PART 2 : "Birth and Testimony to the Child"

     In chapter 2 we'll see the amazing events surrounding and following the birth of Jesus that pick him out as the unique Son of God. Watch for the twin witness of angels and the Holy Spirit's activity again in this chapter. Throughout these early chapters we'll see the constant reference to the work of the Spirit in these earliest of days of Jesus.