Luke Part 1 Week 4

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:35 

³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” 

This records what the angel Gabriel told Mary. His instructions concerned the baby she would have by means of the power of the Holy Spirit. The baby “will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” Surely Mary’s mind was whirling about what was predicted to happen to her. It would be a miracle of God. 

REFLECT 

Regarding miracles, if you have trusted in Jesus as Savior you have also experienced the miracle of salvation.  

RESPOND 

Although Mary wondered how all this could happen because she was a virgin, she was not rebuked as Zechariah had been. As a priest he should have had no questions about Gabriel’s message. Mary was likely a young teenager so it would be understandable she would have questions. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:36-37 

³⁶ “What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For the word of God will never fail.” 

Mary was surprised by the miracle that would happen to her. Gabriel encouraged her by telling her of the miracle that her relative Elizabeth was experiencing. Elizabeth was expecting a son in her old age. Mary was reminded that with God nothing is impossible.  

REFLECT 

In the past have you been comforted about something unusual happening to you that had also happened to someone else?  

RESPOND 

Visit with a Christian friend about the changes that came in your lives after you trusted in Jesus for your salvation. Reduce your testimony to less than a minute and memorize it. Then when opportunity arises to tell a stranger about it you will not need to wonder what to say. This may open a door to say more. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:38 

³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 

Mary had no doubts at this point. She told the angel Gabriel, “May everything you have said about me come true.” Once she said this, Gabriel left her. He had accomplished his task with both Zechariah and Mary. God’s plan of salvation was set in operation. 

REFLECT 

Do you have confidence in God’s word as you read the Bible? Be like Mary and believe the message. The Bible is the only book God has inspired.  

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Romans 4:18-22. This passage tells about Abraham’s confidence in God to provide a child of promise when he and his wife were elderly. Read other passages such as Genesis 17:15-19 for background about Abraham’s statement recorded in Romans 4.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:39-41 

³⁹ A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

After hearing that her relative Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, Mary hurried to the hill country to visit her. When she greeted Elizabeth the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaped within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came on people for specific tasks and could leave after that. After Acts 2 all believers were indwelled by the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9). 

REFLECT 

Rejoice that as a believer you have the Holy Spirit living in you. His ministry is to focus your attention on the Lord Jesus as Jesus promised in John 14:26.  

RESPOND 

Ephesians 5:18-20 reveals that to be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by Him, even as a drunk person is controlled by his wine. See also in this passage what a Spirit-filled person does. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:42-43 

⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³ Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” 

Elizabeth referred to Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” Mary is never called “the Mother of God” in the Bible, as if God has a mother. As God, Jesus has always existed. God certainly had blessed Mary “above all women” and everyone should highly regard her for bearing the Christ child into the world. One may love Mary, but the need is also to love the Lord Jesus Christ because salvation comes only through Him (see John 14:6).  

REFLECT 

What is your attitude toward the virgin Mary? 

RESPOND 

At the present day, there are many different opinions about the significance of Mary. Some believe she is sinless, which the Bible does not say (see Romans 5:12). Some believe in praying to her as she could appeal to her son, the Lord Jesus, which the Bible does not say (see 1 Timothy 2:5).