The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,
27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.
28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
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.
36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.
37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
So I was thinking about the whole reason we're doing these meditation jouranls and everything. This week, as well as next weeks focus is supposed to be on the birth of Jesus. I've kind of been focusing on the Zechariah - fortelling of John the Baptist story. At least for my last post I thought think about the foretelling of Jesus.
(v. 26) Gabriel seems to be the angel of choice when it comes to telling people they're going to have a baby. Jesus and John the Baptist are 6 months a part. That means they were probably born on totally opposite seasons of the year. If you think about the summer and winter day lengths it's logical that in the winter the days are shorter. And if we go by the date of Christmas for Jesus' birth then we can assume John's birth was in the summer prior. Now Christmas is not a technical biblical date set up. They actually put Christmas on the date of largest pagan holiday. However if you think that John was born in Summer and Jesus therefore born in the Winter months then you start to realize that the days decrease in length, which sort of goes along with that whole "as I decrease, you must increase" thing.
(v. everything else) I can only imagine what's going through Mary's mind when Gabriel shows up and is like "you're going to give birth to the Messiah. I mean, this was like every woman's dream back then, right? Every Father and Mother wanted their baby to be the Messiah. A friend once told me that the name Mary means 'bitter'. Because when a woman became pregnant the Father became hopeful that this baby would be the Messiah. But when she had the baby and it was a girl the Father became upset and named her Mary 'bitter' because a woman could not be the messiah and Jesus was very much not a woman.
I love that all things are possible with God because I am so uncapable of doing most things.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Meditation 3 - Luke 1:11-13
(v. 11-13) Whenever an angel appears in the bible they always have to say “don't be afraid”. I figure it's the same thing with God revealing His presence. We become overwhelmed and frightened. Mostly because we can't understand such a multitude of magnificence. I'm really curious to find out the significance of names to God. Whenever an angel shows up and says you're going to have a baby set apart for the Lord they always say and you name him “so and so”. Samson, Samuel, John, Jesus. Adam and Eve's names both held significance. It's one of those questions I'm excited to discover the answer to. God has multiple names so I know that names are important to him.
(v. 8-10) We just learned the other day in our Freshman practicum class what the significance of being the priest chosen to go before the Lord in the temple and burn incense. This was something only one person could do only once a year. So this would have been a huge privilege for Zechariah. I heard once that they used to tie a rope and bells around the ankle of the priest so if the Lord had killed the priest the others would be able to pull him out without entering the holy place them self.
I was actually thinking about encountering the presence of God the other day when I was reading through the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 and thinking about the types of conversations Jesus and the Father must have had. I thought about maybe they did some experimenting with how much glory the Father could reveal to a perfect, righteous person without it killing them. Of course both of them knew the exact mathematical equations for how much the Father could reveal. But I was thinking maybe they tested out spiritual gifts and revelations of God's glory just for fun. Maybe Jesus died and rose from the dead a few times from over manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
I was actually thinking about encountering the presence of God the other day when I was reading through the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 and thinking about the types of conversations Jesus and the Father must have had. I thought about maybe they did some experimenting with how much glory the Father could reveal to a perfect, righteous person without it killing them. Of course both of them knew the exact mathematical equations for how much the Father could reveal. But I was thinking maybe they tested out spiritual gifts and revelations of God's glory just for fun. Maybe Jesus died and rose from the dead a few times from over manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
Back to Righteousness in Luke 1:6
I have to think on righteousness from verse 6 again. Matthew 5 says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.”
What is righteousness? Why does God love righteousness?
Justice + love = righteousness – Stuart Greaves.
Romans 1:17 says Faith reveals the righteousness of God.
Righteous mean right standing.
The righteous do not get punished. Righteous get justice. There is a difference between justice and punishment. Being judged and justice are good things.
God loves righteousness because the righteous do not get punished.
What is righteousness? Why does God love righteousness?
Justice + love = righteousness – Stuart Greaves.
Romans 1:17 says Faith reveals the righteousness of God.
Righteous mean right standing.
The righteous do not get punished. Righteous get justice. There is a difference between justice and punishment. Being judged and justice are good things.
God loves righteousness because the righteous do not get punished.
Luke 1:7
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
(v. 7) I've never in my life thought too deeply on the idea of barrenness. However I'd imagine it wouldn't be very much fun. In American culture woman are considered more independent than in the past. It seems that in biblical times women were considered an anomaly when they were not pledged to a man. Like Anna in Luke 10. Anyway, being barren seems sort of like your worth as a woman is decreased. I'd imagine it would be a huge struggle. God is intensely healing barrenness all the time. I know back in biblical days a woman was highly looked upon when she had a baby boy. Because everyone was on the look out for the messiah. Elizabeth in verse 25 says “How kind the Lord is... He has taken aways my disgrace of having no children.”
(v. 7) I've never in my life thought too deeply on the idea of barrenness. However I'd imagine it wouldn't be very much fun. In American culture woman are considered more independent than in the past. It seems that in biblical times women were considered an anomaly when they were not pledged to a man. Like Anna in Luke 10. Anyway, being barren seems sort of like your worth as a woman is decreased. I'd imagine it would be a huge struggle. God is intensely healing barrenness all the time. I know back in biblical days a woman was highly looked upon when she had a baby boy. Because everyone was on the look out for the messiah. Elizabeth in verse 25 says “How kind the Lord is... He has taken aways my disgrace of having no children.”
Luke 1:5-6
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
(v. 5-6) Zechariah. Now is this the same Zechariah as the book of Zechariah, Zechariah? If so you'd think he'd be pretty used to this whole angelic encounter thing. I love that it says they “were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all the Lord's commandments and regulations”. We know by grace we have Christ's righteousness. But before Christ died the way understood to be righteous was to obey God's decree's and this seemed to be kind of a rare thing in the Old Testament
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
(v. 5-6) Zechariah. Now is this the same Zechariah as the book of Zechariah, Zechariah? If so you'd think he'd be pretty used to this whole angelic encounter thing. I love that it says they “were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all the Lord's commandments and regulations”. We know by grace we have Christ's righteousness. But before Christ died the way understood to be righteous was to obey God's decree's and this seemed to be kind of a rare thing in the Old Testament
Luke 1:1 -4
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
(v. 1-4) I have such a large respect for Luke in these first couple verses. He's like “listen up people 'I don't know about all these other guys' stories. They could have it right or be totally off. So, I've done the research. I've these facts down.'” It's like he's stating to go ahead and read the other guys' accounts of what happened, but if you want the fact for fact version of what really happened, you've come to the right place. Luke is cool.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
(v. 1-4) I have such a large respect for Luke in these first couple verses. He's like “listen up people 'I don't know about all these other guys' stories. They could have it right or be totally off. So, I've done the research. I've these facts down.'” It's like he's stating to go ahead and read the other guys' accounts of what happened, but if you want the fact for fact version of what really happened, you've come to the right place. Luke is cool.
Luke 1
Luke 1
Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.
23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.
24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Initial response.
I love love love angels! This has been one of my favorite angel encounter stories of the bible. It's probably a toss up between this story and the story of the angel appearing to Balaam's donkey for favorite, but this is amazing. Okay so first responses to reading this first chapter in Luke 1 begins now:
Introduction
1 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.
23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.
24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Initial response.
I love love love angels! This has been one of my favorite angel encounter stories of the bible. It's probably a toss up between this story and the story of the angel appearing to Balaam's donkey for favorite, but this is amazing. Okay so first responses to reading this first chapter in Luke 1 begins now:
Welcome!
Welcome to my meditation journal.
As part of FMA requirements we are required to in some form record our meditations on given passages of scripture throughout the year. Blogging was an option.
My name is Abby. I'm 19, almost 20 and attending The Forerunner Music Academy for their music performance program. I sing, play flute and am learning the keyboard more and more. My goal is to eventually worship lead because thats what I love to do.
As part of FMA requirements we are required to in some form record our meditations on given passages of scripture throughout the year. Blogging was an option.
My name is Abby. I'm 19, almost 20 and attending The Forerunner Music Academy for their music performance program. I sing, play flute and am learning the keyboard more and more. My goal is to eventually worship lead because thats what I love to do.
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