Luke 1
Luke introduces book to Theophilus verse 1- 4
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a
declaration of those things which are most surely
believed among us – even as they delivered them unto us
which from the beginning were eyewitnesses
and ministers of the word
It seemed good to me also
having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first
to write to you in order – most excellent Theophilus
that you might know the certainty of those things
wherein you have been instructed
Introduction to Zechariah and Elisabeth verse 5- 7
There was in the days of Herod – the king of Judea
a certain priest named Zechariah of the course of Abia
and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron
and her name was Elisabeth
And they were both righteous before God
walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blameless
And they had no child – BECAUSE that Elisabeth was barren
and they both were no well-stricken in years
Zechariah enters the holy place verse 8- 10
And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office
before God in the order of his course
according to the custom of the priest’s office
his lot was to burn incense when he went
into the temple of the Lord
AND the whole multitude of the people were praying
without at the time of incense
Angel Gabriel gives plan of birth of John verse 11- 17
AND there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the
right side of the altar of incense
AND when Zechariah saw him
he was troubled – and fear fell upon him
BUT the angel said to him
Fear not – Zechariah – FOR your prayer is heard
and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son
and you shall call his name John
And you shall have joy and gladness – and many shall rejoice at his birth
FOR he shall be great in the sight of the Lord
and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink
and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost
even from his mother’s womb
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their
God and he shall 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 a people prepared for the Lord
Zechariah questions Gabriel regarding age
FOR I am an old man – and my wife well stricken in years verse 18
Gabriel chastens Zechariah for unbelief verse 19- 20
And the angel answering said unto him – I am Gabriel
that stand in the presence of God
and am sent to speak to you
and to show thee these glad tidings
AND BEHOLD – you shall be dumb – and not able to speak
until the day that these things shall be performed
BECAUSE you believed not my words
which shall be fulfilled in their season
Zechariah comes out of holy place mute verse 21- 22
And the people waited for Zechariah
and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple
and when he came out – he could not speak unto them
and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple
FOR he beckoned unto them – and remained speechless
Elisabeth pregnant verse 23- 25
And it came to pass – that
as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished
he departed to his own house
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived – and hid herself five months
saying
Thus has the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein HE looked on me
to take away my reproach among men
Gabriel announces birth of Jesus to Mary verse 26- 33
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of
Galilee named Nazareth – to a virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph of the house of David and the virgin’s name was
Mary
AND the angel came in unto her – and said
Hail – you that are highly favored – the Lord is with you
blessed are you among women
AND when she saw him – she was troubled at his saying
and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be
AND the angel said unto her – Fear not – Mary – for you hast found favor with God
AND BEHOLD – you shall conceive in your womb – and bring forth a s
on and shalt call his name JESUS
HE shall be great – and shall be called the Son of the Highest
and the Lord God shall give to HIM the throne of HIS father
David and HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever
and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end
Mary questions Gabriel verse 34
Then said Mary unto the angel
How shall this be – seeing I know not a man?
Gabriel informs on means to pregnancy verse 35- 37
And the angel answered and said unto her
The Holy Ghost shall come upon you
and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you
THEREFORE also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be
called the Son of God
AND BEHOLD you cousin Elisabeth
she hath also conceived a son in her old age
and this is the sixth month with her
who was called barren
FOR with God nothing shall be impossible
Mary states she is the LORD’S servant verse 38
And Mary said – BEHOLD the handmaid of the Lord
be it unto me according to your word
And the angel departed from her
Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth verse 39- 45
And Mary arose in those days – and went into the hill country with haste
into a city of Judah and entered into the house of Zechariah
and saluted Elisabeth
AND it came to pass – that – when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary
the babe leaped in her womb
AND Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost
and she spoke out with a loud voice
and said
Blessed are you among women – and blessed is the fruit of your
womb and whence is this to me
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
FOR – lo – as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in mine
ears the babe leaped in my womb for joy
AND blessed is she that believed
FOR there shall be a performance of those things which were
told her from the Lord
Mary’s song of praise verse 46- 55
And Mary said – My soul does magnify the Lord
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior
FOR HE has regarded the low estate of HIS handmaiden
FOR – BEHOLD from henceforth all generations
shall call me blessed
FOR HE that is mighty has done to me great things
and holy is HIS name
And HIS mercy is on them that fear HIM from generation to
generation HE has showed strength with HIS arm
HE has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts
HE has put down the mighty from their seats
and exalted them of low degree
HE has filled the hungry with good things
and the rich HE has sent empty away
HE has helped HIS servant Israel – in remembrance of
HIS mercy as HE spoke to our fathers
to Abraham – and to his seed forever
Mary stayed with Elisabeth three months verse 56
And Mary stayed with her about three months – and returned to her own house
Birth of John the Baptist verse 57- 66
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered
and she brought forth a son
And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had
showed great mercy upon her and they rejoiced with her
And it came to pass – that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child
and they called him Zechariah – after the name of his father
And his mother answered and said
Not so – BUT he shall be called John
And they said unto her
There is none of your kindred that is called by this name
And they made signs to his father – how he would have him called
and he asked for a writing table and wrote – saying
His name is John
And they marveled all
and his mouth was opened immediately – and his tongue loosed
and he spoke and praised God
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them
and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the
hill country of Judea
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts – saying
What manner of child shall this be!
And the hand of the Lord was with him
Zechariah prophecy verse 67- 79
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Ghost – and prophesied
saying
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
FOR HE has visited and redeemed HIS people
and has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the
house of his servant David
As HE spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets
which have been since the world began
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all that hate us
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant
The oath which he swore to our father Abraham
that he would grand to us – that we
being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
might serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him
all the days of our life
And you – child – shalt be called the prophet of the Highest
FOR you shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare HIS ways
To give knowledge of salvation to HIS people by the remission of their sins
through the tender mercy of our God
whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death
to guide our feet into the way of peace
John grew up verse 80
And the child grew – and waxed strong in spirit
and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (273 “blameless” [amemptos] means deserving no censure, free from defect, unblameable, irreproachable, guiltless, innocent or faultless.)
DEVOTION: There is no such thing as sinlessness for anyone in the human race. Jesus was sinless but that was because HE was God in the flesh. Adam and Eve were sinless until they ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This word cannot mean sinless.
What does it mean? Here was a married couple who had lived together obeying the law. They were righteous or living right before God. They daily walked in the commandments of the LORD. They were not sinless but they were obedient. The LORD picked them as the parents of John the Baptist. They were given a special blessing of a child in old age.
This verse tells us that they had lived according to the law and obeyed the LORD but Zachariah had a problem. He didn’t believe the angel that told him that he was going to have a son. The angel struck him with dumbness or the inability to speak. This left when he named the baby “John.” Remember that unbelief is a sin. Here we have him sinning in his unbelief.
Many today feel that a child is a burden and not a blessing. This couple thought it was a blessing. Elizabeth hid because she was amazed at what was happening. She stated that the LORD had taken away her reproach. What was her reproach? She didn’t have a child. She wanted a child. She was given a child who would be the one to prepare the way of Christ.
When people think of us do they think faultless? What does that mean? We know that it doesn’t mean sinless. We know that there was only one person who lived on this earth who was sinless and that was Christ. What does it mean? Does it mean someone has never allowed himself/herself to have skeletons in the closet? Does it mean someone who has kept short accounts with God? They have confessed their sins to the LORD. They have sought forgiveness from any human they have offended. They have tried to live a spiritual life. They are known for manifesting the fruit of the spirit in public and manifested their gift in the church. They fit the description of the officers of the church – pastors, deacons, and deacon’s wives. Our goal should be to live a faultless life before the LORD and those around us. Sometimes there are people who live this kind of life. However, some who think they live that type of life have the sin of pride spring up in their life.
We need to keep short accounts with God. When we fail and we will, we need to get closer to the LORD and ask for HIS help. Many books have been written with a title that implies that failure is the backdoor to success. If we never try things – it is wrong. We can learn from our mistakes.
CHALLENGE: Encourage someone who has failed.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. (32 “angel” [aggelos] means messenger, envoy, one who is sent, messenger of God, a supernatural being created by God to serve Him, or watchers.)
DEVOTION: I sometime feel a little jealous that we don’t have angels coming and telling us what we are supposed to do next or what is going to happen next in our life. We are to pray for guidance every day. We are to look to the LORD for open doors that come our way. We are to study the Bible hard to find out how we are to behave.
Now we have a man of God who has a reputation as being someone who is righteous not sinless and who was walking in the commandments and ordinances of the LORD blameless.
So I don’t fit that description on some occasions in my life. Although I know that the Father looks at me through the blood of HIS Son on the cross. HE sees me as a servant of HIS that is trying to live a life that brings glory to HIM.
Zechariah is in the holy place of the Temple by himself offering incense to God. While doing his priestly function an angel named Gabriel visits him. He is afraid. That would be normal to have someone come into the holy place of the Temple while you were serving the LORD.
Gabriel tells him that his wife is going to have a baby. Well, Zechariah says to himself I am too old. God is saying he is going to have a baby and he is telling God it is impossible.
This is a priest who studies the Old Testament. He is working in the Temple. He is living right and has a proper attitude toward God but he still hears something that causes him to doubt the God he is serving. Does this happen to us?
Well, he is going to face the consequences of his unbelief. He is going to not be able to speak until after the birth of the baby that was impossible. After the birth of John he gets his voice back.
CHALLENGE: If we believe that God still communicates with HIS people – are we listening to HIM?
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: 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. (1399 “handmaid” [doule] means female slave, bondmaid, slave girl,
DEVOTION: Mary is visited by the same angel that visited Zechariah. The angel told Mary that she was going to have a baby. It is not unusual for a woman to have a baby. The problem was that Mary was not married yet. She mentioned this to the angel.
One of the things that we have to note is that she had a different reaction than Zechariah. Her condition was not the same but she still trusted the LORD to do what was right. She was going to have a baby from the LORD.
Her statement to the angel was that her position was a maidservant of the LORD. She wanted to serve. She wanted to obey. She listened and believed it could happen just as the angel had said. She wanted it to happen.
Every women since the time of Eve was looking for the fulfillment of the prophecy of the coming Messiah. Every woman wanted to be the mother of the Messiah. She was the one. She had to be assured that God could do the impossible.
CHALLENGE: We need to always remember that HE can still do the impossible today. Are you ready to have it happen in your life and ministry?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us. (395 “dayspring” [anatole] means east, a rising, the dawn from on high, move upward, dawn of salvation, branch, morning light or fig., of the coming of the Messiah.)
DEVOTION: In the Old Testament the Messiah is called the “branch.” Throughout the Word of God we find many names for the God/man Messiah. HE is God’s representative to man. Since the fall of Adam and Eve we have God promising a coming Messiah who will rule and reign over the kingdom of God.
The first coming of Christ was to show the tender mercy of the LORD to HIS people. Not only to the children of Israel but to the Gentile nations as well. Jesus died on the cross for all mankind. Everyone has an opportunity to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Most choose to ignore HIM.
In the Gospel of John HE is called the “Light of the world.” Here we find that HE is called the morning light. HE is the giving the world the dawning of the Messiah. They didn’t understand that at HIS first coming HE was going to die. They thought that the first time would be the only time and HE would be their King.
HE came for a visit. HE walked with men. HE trained HIS disciples, so that, they could train more disciples throughout the generations until now. It is our turn to tell others of HIS visit to our earth in human form.
HE chose to use humans to spread HIS message to the world. HE gives those who are obedient the power of Holy Spirit. HE gives us the message. We are informed that HE wants us to do the impossible through our witness.
Our God is merciful. HE is willing to have us in all our weakness reach the world. We are the ones who need the remission of sins first. HE gives us the knowledge through the illumination of the Holy Spirit to understand the message.
CHALLENGE: Understanding what the words mean help us understand what the LORD is telling us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit about our Messiah.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
People praying for Zechariah verse 10
Prayer is heard for child verse 13
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Course of Abia verse 5, 8
Aaron verse 5
Executed the priest’s office verse 8
Burn incense verse 9, 10
Temple of the Lord verse 9, 21, 22
Multitude praying verse 10
Altar of Incense verse 11
Priests days of ministration verse 23
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Write verse 3
Commandments verse 6
Ordinances verse 6
Mouth of Holy prophets verse 70
Holy covenant verse 72
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verse 6, 8, 19, 26, 30, 32, 37, 47, 64, 68, 78
Lord verse 6, 9, 11, 15- 17, 25, 28, 32, 38, 43, 45, 46, 66, 68, 76
Sight of the Lord verse 15
Lord their God verse 16
Presence of God verse 19
Gabriel sent from God verse 26
Lord God verse 32
Highest verse 35, 76
Power of the Highest verse 35
Nothing is impossible verse 37
God my Savior verse 47
Mighty verse 49
Holy is HIS name verse 49
Hand of the Lord verse 66
Lord God of Israel verse 68
Creation verse 70
Remember holy covenant verse 72
Face of the Lord verse 76
God of mercy verse 78
God gives light verse 79
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
JESUS verse 31
Be great verse 32
Son of the Highest verse 32
Throne of David promised verse 32, 33
Holy thing verse 35
Son of God verse 35
God my Savior verse 47
Horn of salvation verse 69
House of David verse 69
John goes before face of the Lord verse 76
Child grew – waxed strong verse 80
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Filled with the Holy Ghost verse 15, 41, 67
Holy Ghost come upon Mary verse 35
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Temple of the Lord verse 9
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angel of the Lord verse 11
Angel states prayer was heard verse 13
Zechariah talks with angel verse 18
Gabriel indentifies self to Zechariah verse 19
Gabriel comes to Mary verse 26- 33, 35- 38
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Theophilus verse 3
Days of Herod – king of Judaea verse 5
Enemies verse 71, 74
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Troubled verse 12, 29
Fear verse 12
Not drink wine or strong drink verse 15
Disobedient verse 17
Believe not verse 20
Proud verse 51
Hate verse 71
Sins verse 77
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Believed verse 1, 20, 45
Delivered verse 2
Ministers verse 2
Understanding verse 3
Certainty verse 4
Instructed verse 4
Righteous verse 6, 75
Walking in all the commandments verse 6
Blameless verse 6
Praying verse 10, 13
Fear not verse 13
Joy verse 14
Gladness verse 14
Not drink wine or strong drink verse 15
Filled with Holy Spirit verse 15, 67
Turn to the LORD verse 16
Spirit and power of Elijah verse 17
Wisdom of the just verse 17
Presence of God verse 19
Glad tidings verse 19
Favored by God verse 28, 30
Magnify the Lord verse 46
Mercy verse 50, 54, 58, 72, 78
Fear of the LORD verse 50, 65
Rejoice verse 58
Praise verse 64
Redeemed verse 68
People of God verse 68, 77
Salvation verse 69, 77
Holy verse 70, 75
Saved from our enemies verse 71
Holy covenant verse 72
Serve without fear verse 74
Knowledge verse 77
Remission of sins verse 77
Light verse 79
Guidance verse 79
Way of peace verse 79
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Priest names Zacharias verse 5, 12, 18- 23, 40, 64, 67
Aaron verse 5
Elisabeth wife of Zacharias verse 5, 7, 13, 24, 25, 36, 40- 45, 57
John (the Baptist) verse 13- 17, 60, 63
Not drink wine or strong drink
Filled with Holy Spirit
Many converts
Spirt and power of Elijah
Wisdom to just
Prepare way of the Lord
Children of Israel verse 16, 54, 80
Elias (Elijah) verse 17
Mary verse 26- 40, 46-56
Virgin
Highly favored
Lord is with her
Blessed
Favor with God
Son = Jesus
Known not a man
Handmaid of the Lord
Galilee verse 26
Nazareth verse 26
Joseph verse 27
House of David verse 27
David verse 27, 32
House of Jacob verse 33
City of Judah verse 39
Elisabeth filled with Holy Ghost verse 41- 45
Mary mother of Elisabeth’s Lord verse 43
Abraham verse 55, 73
Circumcise verse 59
First named child Zacharias verse 59
Judaea verse 65
John had hand of the Lord on him verse 66
Zacharias prophesied filled with
Holy Spirit verse 67- 79
Fathers verse 72
John = prophet of the Highest verse 76
Church (New Testament people of God)
Eyewitnesses verse 2
Ministers of the word verse 2
Last Things (Future Events)
Throne of David verse 32
Reign over house of Jacob forever verse 33
Kingdom with no end verse 33
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QUOTES regarding passage
It seems best to assume he was in some way referring to the coming of the Messiah—Son of God—and leave it at that. (Stein, R. H. (1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary (101). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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phosphoros (φωσφόρος, 5459), (Eng., “phosphorus,” lit., “light-bearing” phos, “light,” phero, “to bear”), is used of the morning star, as the light-bringer, 2 Pet. 1:19, where it indicates the arising of the light of Christ as the personal fulfillment, in the hearts of believers, of the prophetic Scriptures concerning His coming to receive them to Himself. (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vol. 2: Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (147). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
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The day-spring from on high (ἀνατολὴ ἐξ ὕψους). Lit., the rising. The word occurs in the Septuagint as a rendering of branch, as something rising or springing up, by which the Messiah is denoted (Jer. 23:5; Zech. 6:12). Also of the rising of a heavenly body (Isa. 60:19, Sept.). Compare the kindred verb arise (ἀνατέλλω) in Isa. 60:1; Mal. 4:2. This latter is the sense here. See on Matt. 2:2. Wyc. has he springing up from on high. (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Lk 1:78). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
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1:78 Sunrise. A messianic reference (cf. Is 9:2; 60:1–3; Mal 4:2; 2Pe 1:19; Rev 22:16). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Lk 1:78). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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The rising sun (78) is an allusion to Mal. 4:2 (cf. Nu. 24:17), but the phrase (Gk. anatolē) might be a translation of the Hebrew word for ‘shoot’ or ‘branch’ (which is a title for the Messiah in Zc. 3:8; 6:12). Either way, the reference is to the Messiah and not to John. It is not clear whether v 79 should be linked to v 77 (indicating what John will do) or to v 78 (indicating what the Messiah will do). (New Bible commentary: 21st century edition. 1994 (D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer & G. J. Wenham, Ed.) (4th ed.) (Lk 1:57–80). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
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1:78 Because of the tender mercy of our God. The reason this salvation is possible, i.e., its cause, picks up the thought of Luke 1:72.
The rising sun. This is an enigmatic and most difficult phrase. In 1:76–77 Luke clearly referred to John the Baptist, since in 1:76 the allusions to Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3 are used of his mission elsewhere (cf. Luke 3:4) and 1:77 contains terminology used of John’s baptism (cf. 3:3). Nevertheless it is most unlikely that the phrase “the rising sun” refers to John the Baptist, for the present context (1:78–79) refers to Jesus’ works. (Note how the terminology of 1:79 is used for Jesus in Matt 4:16.) Suggestions about what “rising sun” (anatolē) means include the rising of a star or sun, a metaphor for Yahweh (but 1:78a seems to distinguish God from anatolē), the shoot or offspring of David (Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12), and the star from Jacob (Num 24:17). At the present time it is impossible to be certain about the exact meaning Luke intended. It seems best to assume he was in some way referring to the coming of the Messiah—Son of God—and leave it at that. (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 101). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)
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78–79. Zechariah finishes his song by dwelling on the coming salvation. It will come through God’s tender mercy. The compassion of God is a constant theme of the New Testament. The old priest goes on to speak of salvation in terms of light. The contrast between light and darkness is a natural one, but none the less powerful for that. It is possible to understand the Greek as ‘the dayspring’ and see an unusual name for the Messiah (so rsv mg.; cf. Mal. 4:2; 2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 22:16). But anatolē sometimes means ‘a shoot’ and it is possible to see a reference to the Messiah as the Shoot from Jesse (Isa. 11:1ff.). The word however normally means the ‘rising’ of the sun or a star, and hence the sun or star itself (rsv’s day does not seem to be attested); we should perhaps see the contrast between light and darkness (cf. Isa. 60:1f.). The concluding note is that of peace, that peace of God that calms our hearts and makes us strong to live for God. It ‘does not mean merely freedom from trouble; it means all that makes for a man’s highest good’ (Barclay). (Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, pp. 97–98). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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The dawning of a new day (vv. 78–79). Dayspring means “sunrise.” The people were sitting in darkness and death, and distress gripped them when Jesus came; but He brought light, life, and peace. It was the dawn of a new day because of the tender mercies of God (see Matt. 4:16).
The old priest had not said anything for nine months, but he certainly compensated for his silence when he sang this song of praise to God! And how joyful he was that his son was chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah (Isa. 40:1–3; Mal. 3:1). John was “prophet of the Highest” (Luke 1:76), introducing to Israel “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32) who was conceived in Mary’s womb by “the power of the Highest” (Luke 1:35).
Instead of enjoying a comfortable life as a priest, John lived in the wilderness, disciplining himself physically and spiritually, waiting for the day when God would send him out to prepare Israel for the arrival of the Messiah. People like Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25–38) had been waiting for this day for many years, and soon it would come.
God calls us today to believe His Good News. Those who believe it experience His joy and want to express their praise to Him. It is not enough for us to say that Jesus is a Saviour, or even the Saviour. With Mary, we must say, “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47, italics mine). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 174–175). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 78. Through the tender mercy of our God, &c.] Or bowels of mercy, to which the forgiveness of sin is owing; the source and spring of pardon, is the free grace and abundant mercy of God; it takes its rise from thence, though it is channelled in the blood and sacrifice of Christ; and which no way derogates from, but rather heightens the riches of God’s grace and mercy: for it was mercy that moved God to enter into a covenant with his son, in which forgiveness of sin is promised; and it was mercy to set forth his son, in his eternal purposes and decrees; and to send him forth in the fulness of time, to shed his blood for the remission of sins; it was the mercy of God to us, that provided a lamb for a burnt-offering, and then accepted of the sacrifice and satisfaction of his son, in our room and stead, and forgave all our sins, for his sake; and whatever the pardon of our sins cost God and Christ, it is all free grace and mercy to us: it is owing not to the absolute mercy of God, or to the mercy of God as an absolute God, but to the mercy of our God; our God in Christ, our covenant God and father, whose bowels yearned towards us, and whose pity is that of a tender parent: whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us; the word αυατολη, here used, and is translated the day-spring, is the same which the Septuagint use, in Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8 and 6:12 where the Messiah is spoken of, under the name of the branch: and undoubtedly the Messiah Jesus, is intended here, who is the man, that branch, that has grown up out of his place; not from below, but from above; and who is the phosphorus, or bringer of light, that bright and morning star, that sun of righteousness, who has light in himself, and communicates light to others; even light natural, spiritual, and eternal; and with his rays and beams of light, life, and love, refreshes, exhilarates, and warms, the hearts of his people: and by the visit he has made in our horizon, is meant his assumption of human nature; which, like a friendly visit, proceeded from pure love to the children of God; and was a drawing near unto them, for it was a taking on him their nature, in which he represented their persons; and was done through much difficulty and great condescension, since he was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with him; and his stay on earth in this nature, was but for a little while; so that on all accounts, it may be truly called a visit: and which, as the remission of sin is wholly owing to the tender mercy of our God, who put him upon it, called him to it, sent him forth made of a woman, and in the likeness of sinful flesh, to obtain eternal redemption, in which mercy and truth met together: the end and design of this visit, are signified in the next verse; for the following words belong to the day-spring from on high, and not to John the Prophet of the Highest. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 518). London: Mathews and Leigh)
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FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and told his disciples to observe it in remembrance of him and in anticipation of his promised return (I Cor. 11: 23-26). Believers participate in this family meal and look back at the cross, look within at their own hearts, and look ahead to the coming of Jesus. (p. 153)
The church today uses different schedules for observing the Lord’s Supper, but it’s likely that the early Christians observed it each Lord’s Day when they assembled and frequently at the close of an ordinary meal during the week. (p. 153)
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TOZERSPEAKS by A. W. Tozer
Throughout the Christian church as we know it today, all sense of accountability to God seems to have been lost. (p. 599)
This msut be blamed on preaching and teaching which has overemphasized the “automatic” quality of faith, with the insistence that “acceptance of Christ” passes all responsibility and all accountability from the believer to the Savior – for all time to come! (p 599)
It is well for us to consider here that church history shows plainly that religious people are prone to select a favorite Bible doctrine or truth and to hold to that one truth at the expense of other basic tenets. (p. 601)
But the great mistake in our day is the total disregard for the fact that believing Christians are on probation from day to day, proving the character of our faith and testing and preparing us for the world to come. (p. 606)
This period in which we live is not the trial – it is the preparation for the trial. This is not the last examination – this is getting ready for the examination. (p. 608)
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We must focus on those things which are pure and good.
INSIGHT
You are what you eat.” Your body reflects what you feed it. Eat well and your body rewards you with health. The same is true spiritually and mentally. We become like what we put into our minds and like what we allow our minds to dwell on. Paul encourages us to think about whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or of good report (v. 8). If you are unsatisfied with your spiritual, mental, or emotional development, ask yourself: “What do I put into my mind – what do I think about?” You may need a radical change in your spiritual diet. (Quiet Walk)
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HATED BY THE WORLD
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.1 John 3:13
Let me put this as a historical fact. This is one of the great principles that we find in the Bible from the beginning. There are many people who have difficulty with this verse. If this is true of you, you have somehow failed to understand the first great essential divisions of the Bible. The difference between Cain and Abel was in Cain, not in Abel. Cain (the world) hates Abel (the Christian). Look at Joseph and his brethren. Look at David and Saul; read the story of how King Saul treated David and tried to get rid of him—the jealousy, envy, and malice. Look at the treatment that was meted out to the prophets, those men of God who were trying to save the nation. It is there everywhere.
Look at the supreme example of our Lord Himself. Here is the Son of God incarnate; here is the eternal life in the flesh. Look at the world sneering at Him, how they picked up stones to cast at Him, how they shouted, “Crucify Him, away with Him!” The world crucified the very Son of God who had come to save it! “Marvel not, my friends, if the world hate you.” The world does not hate you because you are hateful people; the case of Cain and Abel proves that. Cain did not hate his brother because there was something hateful about him. There was nothing hateful in Abel, but Cain hated him in spite of that.
Neither does the world hate us because we are good. Let us be quite clear about that. The world does not hate good people; the world only hates Christian people. That is the subtle, vital distinction. If you are just a good person, the world, far from hating you, will admire you; it will cheer you. And what is true of the individual is true of the whole Church. The world, we are told, hates Christians, not because they are hateful, not because they are good, not because they do good, but specifically because they are Christians, because they are of God, because they have Christ within them.
A Thought to Ponder: The world does not hate good people; the world only hates Christian people.
(From Children of God, pp. 101-102, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Power of a Sound Mind
“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
The gift spoken of in the previous verse is based on a transfer of authority from God, and we are exhorted to “stir up” that gift (2 Timothy 1:6) because God did not give us a “spirit of fear.” The word deilia stresses timidity or cowardice, not terror. The gift does not function well if we are too timid to use it.
The gift referred to is not power. That spiritual gift comes with dunamis—the innate ability to “do” the gift. Whatever the Holy Spirit has gifted us with upon our entrance into the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), that gift comes with the power necessary to implement and use it.
The gift also comes with love. Again, love is not the gift, it is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes with the gift. Were it not for the reflection in us of the unilateral and sacrificial love of our Redeemer, these supernatural gifts could well be misused, distorted, and abused for personal glory. Diotrephes misused his gift, failing to employ the spirit of love (3 John 1:9).
The unique Greek word sophronismos (sound mind) is a combination of the verbs “to save” and “to control.” Its basic meaning would be “safe control” or “wholesome control”—perhaps even “control that saves”—the perfect combination of abilities that empower the gift, the love that keeps the gift focused on others, and the “safety controls” to keep it from unwittingly doing damage.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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DAILY HOPE
Today’s Scripture
Numbers 14-15
America’s John Paul Jones’ statement, “I have not yet begun to fight”, and a recent statement by Ukraine’s current president, “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride”, are two statements that have galvanized supporters and countries to attempt what appeared to be impossible. In the darkness of uncertainty, a person or nation’s destiny can be determined by those who confidently speak and lead.
Twelve spies went to Canaan to spy out the land and to bring back a report to Moses and the nation. Ten of the spies brought back negative reports and the people are crushed and disheartened by their words. Joshua and Caleb sought to restore the people’s belief that God was more powerful and capable than giants but were not heard. If not for God’s intervention Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb would have been stoned by the congregation (14:10).
Decisions determine destiny! Just a few years earlier, the people of Israel had determined to follow Moses to freedom and out of Egypt they walked. In this passage, they resolved to no longer follow Moses and as a result, they would return to another type of slavery. In a hasty moment, as the people chose to listen to the wrong voices, the die was cast and God determined to send them away from the promised land.
Despite the people’s rejection and attempt to stone him, Moses intercedes for mercy upon the people of Israel. Moses implores the Lord to consider His chosen people and their position before Him, declaring they must possess the land so God’s glory and power would be revealed. “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now,” (14:19).
The Lord relents, (14:20-25) but with ramifications to the adults of the nation. Those who were unbelieving would wander in the wilderness until they died and their children would inherit the promised land. In 15:1 the Lord assures them of their possession of the land and provides laws they are to enforce while living safely there.
God’s promises are real and will come to pass! When crises occur, hearts melt and listening to wrong voices can be tempting. Like Joshua and Caleb, remember God’s words spoken through Caleb, “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us…” (14:8). No matter how tough the future may appear, trust God and move ahead.
Expectant Hope, by Pastor Miller
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