Introduction to Luke
Browser back for previous page.
Hello everyone! I'm Murray Cummings and welcome to JustBibleTruth.com and to a consideration of the Bible book of Luke.
The whole of the Bible covers a long period of time. It touches briefly on eternity in both directions and gives detail knowledge about the 6000 years between the creation of Adam and our day in time. The Old Testament, or the Hebrew Scriptures, detail the 4000 years between Adam's creation and the much anticipated birth of Jesus Christ. About two thirds through the Bible, the four short Gospels by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are parallel accounts of what Jesus taught and what he did. The Books of the Bible that are arranged after the Gospels were written by Jesus's followers to encourage faith in him as the son of God. The Bible also gives us some prophetic information about the 2000 years from Christ to our day.
In Hebrews 1, versus 1 and 2, God's word says: "Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. (2) But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us... During that 4000 years before Christ, then, God spoke to mankind on many occasions and in many ways. Among other ways, He spoke by angels and prophets and once from a burning bush. In these last days, the last days being the 2000 years since Christ, God has given mankind only one command. At Matthew 17, verse 5, that one command from God is recorded in these words: 'behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."'
Please know and understand our purpose here today is to follow that command by God to listen to his son. Jesus gave a warning about doing so we must all bear in mind. At Matthew 7:15-16, Jesus said: "Be on the watch for false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside are ravenous wolves." He then added: "By their fruits you will recognize them..." The bad fruitage false prophets produce is they all direct you to listen to the teachings of some man or group instead of actually listening to Christ. They will every one say, of course, you are listening to Christ by following them. That is what makes them false prophets. In lieu of Jesus's warning about fake Christians, then, you serve yourself well in recognizing the only way you can be certain you are listening to Christ is by reading one of the Gospels.
Every few verses we will interject some brief introductory facts about what we are about to read or have read. I always attempt keep personal opinion out of what I say and provide only scriptural information. Where possible, supporting scriptures will be read or referenced. As an example, and to start our reading of Luke, in chapter 1 we will see Jesus was born into a Jewish family (Mat 1:1) and that his birth is bound up with the birth of John the Baptist. John was born and chosen by God to announce the Messiah. Like Jesus, John had a miraculous birth, his to a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth who were old and past child bearing age. Zacharias was a priest in the Jewish religious order. The angel Gabriel was sent to Zacharias and to Mary to announce the birth of John and Jesus. One thing noteworthy is the different responses Zacharias and Mary have to Gabriel's announcement. Even though Gabriel gives the message to Zacharias in God's temple while Zacharias is carrying out his priestly duties, he doubts God's messenger and is struck dumb until the birth of his promises son. Mary has questions, but doesn't doubt. Zacharias must have been completely open about his doubting God's angel when communicating with his wife Elizabeth, because when Mary later visited Elizabeth, she told Mary she is blessed for not doubting. At the birth of John, his father Zacharias was filled with holy spirit and announced the appearance of the Messiah saying John would go as prophet before him. Even though Zacharias showed doubt and was corrected by Gabriel, being chosen by God like they were, indicates these were people of outstanding integrity and openness.
You will read how Christ was a descendant of ancient King David, the king bringing peace for God's servants. Also, Zacharias's prophecy of how Jesus came to fulfill the promises of Abraham when God said by means of one of Abram's descendants, all nations of the earth would be blessed and be free to worship God in faith. (John 4:23) Let us now read, then, Luke chapter 1:
[Browser back arrow to continue with Luke chapter 1.]
Please use browser back arrow to return to previous page. | Home