Luke Part 1 Week 3

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:23-25 

²³ When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. ²⁴ Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. ²⁵ “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” 

This passage reveals the people in Bible times thought it was a disgrace not to have children. Elizabeth is thrilled this stigma has been removed from her. She did not socialize for five months so few would know she was expecting a baby.  

REFLECT 

People in various cultures are reading this. How is it thought of in your culture about having children? Is it considered a blessing? Do some want to take the life of the unborn in the womb? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Psalm 139:13-16 to see what it says about the baby in the womb. Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed the news of a baby in the womb. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:26-28 

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 

Gabriel, the angel who had appeared to Zechariah, then appeared to Mary. Dr. Luke records this was in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary was engaged (betrothed) to Joseph. In that day this was legally binding. They were considered husband and wife from that time forward although they did not live together until about a year later. Gabriel exclaimed to Mary, “The Lord is with you!” Surely Mary wondered what this was about. 

REFLECT 

Imagine Mary’s surprise when Gabriel appeared to her. Had you been Mary, what would you have wondered? 

RESPOND 

In the Bible there is a distinction between “the angel of the Lord” and “an angel.” The first is considered to be a preincarnation appearance of  Jesus Christ and is referred to as a “Christophany” that means “appearance of Christ.” If it is assumed it is only a reference to God it would be considered a “theophany.” The Greek word for “God” is theos. “An angel” would refer to a supernatural being but not Jesus or God.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:29-31 

²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” 

Understandably, Mary was confused and disturbed. She would be more so when she heard the message of Gabriel, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Mary was likely a young girl and had been pledged in marriage. The betrothal time was one of assuring the purity of an individual for marriage. Now she was to have a son?! She was even told what the son’s name would be. 

REFLECT 

It is no wonder this young teenager was confused and disturbed. Such a thing had never occurred in human history and it never would again. 

RESPOND 

The virgin birth of Jesus is considered one of the chief teachings of biblical Christianity. Those who deny this are not qualified to teach others about the Bible. This is because it has to do with a miracle-working God.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:32-33 

³² “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 

Notice what the angel told Mary about the son to whom she was to give birth. Some have referred to these promises as “the forgotten promises of Christmas.” Some believe the first part of these promises but not the last part. This son would “reign over Israel forever; his kingdom will never end.” These promises are fulfilled by His reign on earth for a thousand years, followed by His reigning into eternity.  

REFLECT 

Think about these wonderful promises that Mary was told about the son she would bear. 

RESPOND  

With a friend, join in reading Isaiah 9:6-7. Notice how the humanity of Jesus and also His deity are seen in “a child is born” and “a son is given to us.” See also what He is described as doing. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:34 

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 

Mary knew that nothing like this had ever occurred before. She asked, “But how can this happen?” When Zechariah doubted the angel’s message, his voice was taken from him. What will occur to Mary now for questioning the angel? 

REFLECT 

Would you not agree it was reasonable for Mary to ask this question?  

RESPOND 

Read in Luke 1:18-20 what the angel told Zechariah when he doubted the angel’s message. Will the same happen to Mary for questioning the angel?