PREFACE, JESUS' BIRTH, AND BOYHOOD

Luke 1–2

DIMENSION ONE: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Answer these questions by reading Luke 1

1. Who is the writer who refers to himself as "I"? (1:3)

2. What is the purpose of Luke's Gospel? (1:4)

3. What does Luke say is his method of writing? (1:1-3)

4. What sources does Luke use in compiling his Gospel? (1:1-2)

5. How does Luke describe Herod, Zechariah, and Elizabeth? (1:5-7)

6. What is Zechariah doing in the temple? (1:8)

7. How does Zechariah respond to the angel's promise of a prophetic son? (1:18, 22)

8. What words does Gabriel use to greet Mary? (1:28)

9. Over what people does Gabriel say Jesus will reign? (1:32-33)

10. What unique, divine event does Gabriel tell Mary will happen in her life? (1:35)

11. What does Mary learn about her relative Elizabeth? (1:36)

12. What names does the angel tell Zechariah and Mary to give their sons? (1:13, 31)

13. In response to Elizabeth's warm greetings, how does Mary answer? (1:46-47)

14. After staying three months with Elizabeth, where does Mary go? (1:56)

15. How does Zechariah confirm the naming of his son? (1:63)

16. One of Luke's special interests is the Holy Spirit. What does he say about the Holy Spirit and Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah? (1:35, 41, 67)

17. About whom does Zechariah sing his praises? (1:68-79)

Answer these questions by reading Luke 2

18. Why are Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem? (2:1-5)

19. What is the message of the heavenly host to the shepherds? (2:14)

20. What happens on the eighth day after Jesus' birth? (2:21)

21. What do Mary and Joseph offer to make atonement for Mary? (2:2224)

22. What do Joseph and Mary do after meeting the requirements of the law? (2:39)

23. How often do Joseph and Mary visit Jerusalem? (2:41)

24. When Jesus is twelve, what is he doing at the temple, after the Festival of the Passover? (2:42-49)

25. How does Luke describe Jesus' growth and development? (2:52)

DIMENSION TWO: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN?

As is true of the other Gospel writers, Luke wrote in Greek and clearly used the Septuagint (Greek) translation of the Old Testament (made about 250 BC). He was a fine Greek scholar who knew his language well. Some of Luke's poems and descriptions are unexcelled in verbal beauty. (See 1:46-55, 68-79.)

The Scripture for this first lesson is divided into six themes:

1. Preface: Writer's Purpose in Writing (1:1-4)

2. The Promise to Zechariah of the Birth of John (1:5-25)

3. The Promise to Mary of the Birth of Jesus (1:26-38) and Her Visit to Elizabeth (1:39-56)

4. The Birth of John (1:57-80)

5. The Birth of Jesus (2:1-20)

6. Jesus' Infancy and Childhood (2:21-52)

* Luke 1:1-4. The writer does not identify himself by name in either the Gospel of Luke or in the Acts of the Apostles. He refers to himself as I in Acts 1:1 and in Luke 1:3. The early church fathers affirmed the writer as Luke, the beloved physician and companion of the apostle Paul. We accept that identification also. Greek writers usually dedicated their work to someone who had been of great significance or help to them. Theophilus seems to have been such a person for Luke. Luke wrote to this "most excellent Theophilus" in order to give him the result of his (Luke's) research into the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus. Some scholars suggest Luke wrote these two volumes (Luke and Acts) as legal briefs to be used by authorities (such as Theophilus?) to support Paul in his trials in Rome. Luke is cautious and sympathetic in his statements about the Roman Empire. He carefully ties Christian events to specific reigns of Roman emperors, governors, and procurators. Perhaps one of Luke's motives in writing was to make these connections. Thus his Gospel would be a strong witness to the Christian faith wherever it was read.

We are grateful that "our dear friend Luke, the doctor" (Colossians 4:14) describes his method of writing. Luke begins with certain "things that have been fulfilled among us" (concerning Jesus). He then refers to information he has from witnesses, from ministers of the word, and from the implied reading of other written documents (such as the Gospel of Mark). Then he decides to "write an orderly account" about Jesus.

Luke's description is the clearest statement by a writer in the Bible as to how he wrote his Gospel. Luke states that he primarily compiled, not composed, his book. He took his varied sources, ordered them, even corrected the grammar in some, and revised awkward sentence structures.

* Luke 1:5-25. Zechariah, a priest, was a member of the eighth of twenty-four divisions of priests. Each division was responsible for the conduct of worship in the temple two weeks a year. King David had created these divisions (1 Chronicles 23; 24:10). In Jesus' day about seven thousand "ordinary" priests (such as Zechariah), two hundred chief priests, and one high priest were serving in the temple. Zechariah was chosen by lot from his division to serve a week in the temple. He was responsible for placing fresh wine and bread on a small table and also for getting incense and lighting it. The incense was a symbol that God was listening to the Jews as they prayed.

While Zechariah is performing these tasks in the holy place, God speaks to him through "an angel of the Lord." The angel, Gabriel, says that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, will be blessed by a son, whose name will be John. Because Zechariah does not believe the angel's words, he "will be silent and not able to speak" until John's birth. When John is born, Zechariah calls for a tablet (since he cannot speak) and writes, "His name is John" (1:63). John will herald the Christ.

* Luke 1:26-38. In the annunciation to Mary, the angel Gabriel says, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Gabriel's words remind me of Moses, who asked God, "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:16). Mary experiences the true Mosaic covenant anew in her life. And yet, through her, a greater covenant will come in her son. God is visiting God's people in a new way, through a young maiden whose son will be the Messiah.

"The Holy Spirit will come on you," the angel says to Mary. "The power of the Most High will...