THE GOSPEL OF LUKE Gene Hawkins INTRODUCTION "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you and them that are in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." (Colossians 4:12-14) The fourth chapter of Colossians lists two distinct groups of people: the circumcision (Israelites) and the uncircumcision (Gentiles). Luke's name is found among the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul identifies Luke as a physician. He is the only Gentile writer of the Bible, and both his epistles, Luke and Acts, were written to a Gentile, Theophilus. From Luke 1:3, he states that he "had perfect understanding of all things from the very first," or "from above." He did not portray Christ after the wisdom of men. He received his revelation of Christ from Heaven. In many cases, undoubtedly due to his close association with Paul, the Message of Grace is woven throughout this book. All of these facts form the perfect background for the Gospel of Luke, which presents Christ as the peace offering. This Levitical sacrifice, which was divided almost equally between God and the priests, is a fellowship offering. It shows Christ bringing God and man together on the basis of a common sacrifice. It is also fitting that the Holy Spirit should choose this Gentile to portray Christ Jesus as a Man among men, rather than One sent only to the Jew. More than the other Gospel writers, Luke presents Jesus as THE MAN with all the frailties, temptations, pains, and sorrows, which are common to mankind. These two threads -- the peace offering and Christ's humanity -- are woven most beautifully throughout this book, and which we will endeavor to expound in these lessons. By comparisons and contrasts with the other Gospel Records, we shall see that Luke has a very unique story to tell. -- G.H. ******************************************* THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST CHAPTER ONE "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judah, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years" (vs. 5-7). Zacharias, meaning "Remembered of Jehovah" and Elisabeth, "God of the oath," tell us that God is going to fulfill the glorious promises of redemption, which are seen throughout Scripture. As seen here, Satan tries the same tactics which he used many times in the Old Testament. From God's prophecy in Genesis 3:15, the old serpent, the devil, has known that the "Seed of the woman" would fatally bruise his head; and thus when a Godly woman came on the scene such as Sarah, Rachel, Rebekah, Hannah, and now Elisabeth, they were found to be barren. All of these women produced sons who made a tremendous impact on those around them; and in many cases, literally changed the course of history for Israel. None of these women gave birth to the Redeemer, but John the baptist, was the forerunner of the Messiah, announcing that God did indeed remember and made good His oath to them. We learn from I Chronicles 24:10 that Abia (Abijah) had the eighth course of service in a 24-man rotation. Zacharias was following the prescribed lot of his forefather, as he "executed in the priest's office before God in the order of his course" (verse 8). It was his lot to burn incense; and, as "the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense," Zacharias was in the holy place. "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him" (vs. 11-12). Incense is said to represent prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8), and is suggestive of the fact that God also reveals Himself to us as we, too, linger beside the altar. This angel had a very special message for Zacharias; and we learn from verse 13 that even in their old age, this Godly couple had been praying for a child. The angel said, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call him John." This name means "Jehovah is a gracious Giver," and is significant of John's ministry in preparing the way for THE GIFT (v. 17). From his birth, there was to be joy and gladness, a theme which is seen throughout the book of Luke, due to the fact that he presents the joy and glory of the peace offering. John was to be a Nazarite, and he had the unique experience of being "filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. "He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God" (vs. 15-16). Verse 17 is the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6, where God announced that "Elijah" the prophet, would come before the day of judgment to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. John met these requirements, but it is only Luke who tells us about such a restoration. Matthew informs us that John "is Elias which was for to come" (11:14), but the context of his message foretells judgment only. Luke informs of the great blessings of the peace offering, where children and fathers are brought together "by the wisdom of the just," that is, by God's wisdom in the great plan of redemption. Such provision will also "make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Such language is constantly found in Luke, because Christ is seen in his Gospel as setting a lavish table of fellowship, bringing the disobedient back into harmony with God and with one another. "And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this?" (v.18). Although he had been praying for a child, Zacharias responded with unbelief. On the contrary, Mary, the mother of Jesus, responded with her heart. Zacharias depended on his reasoning mind, "I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." Mary had no precedent for a virgin birth, but Zacharias at least had the record of Abraham and Sarah having a child in their old age. The sign given to him was a consequence of his unbelief. "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season" (v. 20). This sign came to pass immediately, and Zacharias was unable to speak when he came out of the temple. When his days of ministry were accomplished, he went to his own house, and "after those days, his wife, Elisabeth, conceived and hid herself five months" (v. 24). We do not read of any unbelief on the part of Elisabeth; neither do we know if God told her of His intention and purpose as He did to Sarah of old. Later, she did acknowledge that the Lord had taken away her reproach, and she had a revelation of Mary being "the mother of my lord," when Mary greeted her (vs. 41-43). "And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary" (1:27). The sixth month refers to Elisabeth's pregnancy, rather than the sixth month of the year, as we read "she hid herself five months." (v. 24) Verse 36 declares, "This is the sixth month of her that was called barren." The city of Nazareth is added to the long list of reproaches under which Christ was born. Nathanael asked, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46) Galilee also tells a story by the meaning of its name, "circuit, or circle." It tells us of the continuity of all the events surrounding Christ, bringing Him to the fulfillment of God's purposes. Mary is the chosen vessel, and is greeted with, "Thou that art highly favored" (v.28). She was troubled at such a salutation and wondered what it could mean. The angel informs her immediately that she has found favor with God and that "thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son and call His Name Jesus" (v. 31). He is described as being predestined to greatness, the Son of the Highest, and Heir to the throne of David. Such a reign over the house of Jacob is an eternal one, wherein His Kingdom shall never end. If Mary thought of the promise in Isaiah 7:14 concerning the promised Redeemer being born of a virgin, we are not told. She does ask the question, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (v.