Epic Discipleship Group

Luke 1:

I am amazed at how rich God’s word is. Looking at Luke 1 with fresh eyes was awesome. I will share just a few of the things that stood out for me:

1.        I got stuck on verse 1 for a while, “many” have written accounts . . . I imagine there were lots of accounts of Jesus from “eye witnesses” and wonder what happened to all the other written accounts (other than the ones we have in the Bible).

2.        “So that you may know the certainty of the things that you have been taught” . . . questioning the messenger is a reoccurring theme in Luke 1.

a.        Theophilus – evidently was questioning the words of the messengers who had brought him the words about Jesus.

b.        Zechariah questioned the messenger saying how could he and his wife bare a child in old age.

c.        Mary questioned the messenger asking how she a Virgin could bare a child.

For their questions, Theophilus got two researched and written books, Mary got a kind explanation, but Zechariah got a punishment . . . why?

I think Luke explains it later (Spoiler alert) in Luke 16:15 when he quotes Jesus saying, “God knows your hearts.”

My takeaway is that God does not mind questions, even doubts, the difference is the position of your heart in asking them.

We know for sure Mary’s heart position from her response in Luke 1:38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  Zechariah got there and the muteness was lifted and we can assume that Theophilus was a true seeker as well because due to his questions we have some of the greatest writing on earth about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

3.        Which brings me to my 3rd take away. The Holy Spirit. Every human character Luke introduces in chapter 1 he makes a point of mentioning that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. It seems he knew where he was going with this story . . .