Archive for June 2021

Luke 2:21-40, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 119:49-56, 1 Kings 11    Luke 2:21-40: These early days of Jesus as he fulfills all the law perfectly is the fulfillment of all the law promised. The sacrifice his parents offer (2:24) is the sacrifice for those who cannot afford much (Lev. 12:8). Note that poverty can be combined with great piety.…

Luke 2:1-20, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 119:41-48, 1 Kings 9-10 Luke 2:1-20: Luke carefully sets this most momentous birth in the realm of the historical and the factual: “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (2:1). Note: it is important for us to remember that Jesus’ birth is not…

Luke 1:67-80, Ephesians 3:1-13, Psalm 119:33-40, 1 Kings 8 Luke 1:67-80: Now is Zechariah’s song, and it is structured around the “visitation” (1:68, 78) that Zechariah saw that God was bringing about through his prophet John, and was in fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and prophecies (Genesis 50:24, 25). Christ shall be a “horn of salvation” (1:69:…

Ephesians 2:11-22, Psalm 119:25-32, Luke 1:57-66, 1 Kings 6-7  Luke 1:57-66: Now it is Elizabeth’s turn to give birth. Her neighbors hear of the extraordinary birth—to one so old (Luke 1:18)—and they rejoice with her (1:58). Note when someone else has great mercy shown to them, some extraordinary blessing or other, our response is to be joy…

Luke 1:39-56, Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 119:17-24, 1 Kings 4-5 Luke 1:39-56: Mary is so excited about the news that she has to go and tell Elizabeth. As soon as she enters the house—crying out eagerly for Elizabeth—the baby in Elizabeth’s womb hears the greeting and leaps for joy. John the Baptist, in Elizabeth’s womb, is already performing his…

1 Kings 2-3, Luke 1:26-38, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 119:9-16 Luke 1:26-38: How different is the response for Mary than for Zechariah! Mary is a virgin and is favored by God. The Lord is with her. When the angel comes to her and speaks these words, the young woman is understandably “afraid.” When she is told that the…

1 Kings 1, Psalm 119:1-8, Luke 1:1-25, Ephesians 1:1-14 Luke 1:1-25: The Gospel of Luke is written by a medical doctor, who was a companion of Paul’s, for a specific purpose: “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (1:4). In other words, the point that Luke is making, and seeking to establish, is…