Luke Part 1 Week 5

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:44-45 

⁴⁴ “When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. ⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” 

Elizabeth continued telling Mary what happened when Mary greeted her. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb “jumped for joy.” Elizabeth commended Mary for trusting in what the Lord, through the angel, had said would be done.  

REFLECT 

Think of the excitement these two ladies had as they had babies in their wombs because of the miracles of God.  

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading in the Bible about what God did for some who believed what He said. See Genesis 15:6; Jonah 3:4-10; Matthew 8:13; John 1:11-13; 1 John 5:11-13. Talk about the importance of believing what God has said in the Scriptures.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:46-47 

⁴⁶ Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. ⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” 

These verses reveal that Mary knew she needed a Savior just as all mankind does. She expressed her praise to “God my Savior.” Be grateful to Mary and even love her for being the human bearer of Jesus when He took on flesh. Remember, however, that her salvation came from God and she referred to Him as “God my Savior.” Some say Mary had to be sinless to bear a sinless child. If that is true, what about Mary’s mother—did she have to be sinless also? 

REFLECT 

Does this help you to remember that God sometimes uses an imperfect being to accomplish a perfect task? 

RESPOND 

Orthodox Christianity believes that God used imperfect authors to pen the perfect inspired Scriptures. No one but Jesus is perfect, so the human authors were not perfect either. The Holy Spirit moved on them to produce the perfect result as the wind moves a ship with sails. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:48-50 

⁴⁸ “For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. ⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 

⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.” 

Mary continued to thank God for what He had done for her. She was filled with praise for the “great things” He had done for her. She also expressed gratitude for how “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.” 

REFLECT 

Is your heart also filled with praise for what God has done for you?  

RESPOND 

Visit with a Christian friend about what you have to thank God for. Having believed in Jesus for salvation, tell others of the change that He has made in your life. Think of 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 in this regard. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:51-53 

⁵¹ “His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. ⁵² He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.” 

Mary referred to God’s “mighty arm” and what He has done because of His power. He has caused the proud rulers of the world to be made low and has raised up the humble. Another contrast is that God “has filled the hungry with good things” and “sent the rich away with empty hands.” 

REFLECT 

How do you view your own life? Even if you do not have many earthly goods, you are spiritually rich if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the difference of earthly riches and spiritual riches. Take time to read and think about what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 6:19-24. Make these principles true in your life. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:54-56 

⁵⁴ “He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. ⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. 

Mary continued to magnify God for what He had done for the nation of Israel. He had kept His promises to “Abraham and his children forever.” Mary believed that the baby she was carrying in her womb was a descendant of Abraham. Staying about three months with Elizabeth brought them to the time when Elizabeth would give birth to the child God promised her and Zechariah. Now Mary would be three months pregnant. She returned “to her own home,” indicating she was not living with Joseph at this time.  

REFLECT 

Think how sad it would have been had Mary aborted the baby in her womb. 

RESPOND 

For a reminder of what God said to Abraham, known originally as Abram, read Genesis 12:1-3. See also Genesis 17:1-8 for what God told Abraham. Talk with a friend about the confidence young Mary had in the promises of God.