PrintToday's "Learning with Luke" (1)
22 December, 2012
Mark's gospel begins with the herald, John the Baptist, announcing the imminent coming of the Messiah but Mark tells us nothing of the birth of Jesus; which birth Christians all over the world will celebrate over this next week. So we are giving Mark a rest (which he thoroughly deserves!) and, over the next 10 days, we will invite Luke to be our teacher; especially to share with us the richness of his research as it relates to the birth of the Messiah.
The story begins in Luke 1 with the angelic visitation to Zechariah in the Temple
"Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son! And you are to name him John. (Luke 1:13 NLT)
Please note the similarities between the announcement made to John by the Angel Gabriel and that which he made to Mary. (Note the immediate need for Gabriel to say to both John and Mary, "Don't be frightened....." I wonder if the first thing they were taught at 'Angel School" was how to set at ease the recipients of the messages they delivered!!)
Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. (Luke 1/30 NLT).
Gabriel reveals that what is about to happen to both Zechariah and Mary is the initiative of God. Gabriel also nominates the names of the babies to be born - John for Zechariah & Elizabeth while Joseph and Mary were to call their son, Jesus".
One gets the distinct impression that there is a master plan beginning to emerge here. Directions and instructions were coming directly from Heaven. Something incredible was about to happen.
More on this tomorrow.
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