Encounter Jesus – Luke Week 2

The Births of John and Jesus

Luke 1:39 – 2:52

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

Luke Week 2 – Birth of John and Jesus Handout

Lesson Notes

Tonight we’ll be reading material SO familiar we often skim it or skip it. We pack it away until Christmas, trot it out, read it rotely, then pack it away with the other decorations. We say, “I know this, get me to the miracles, the cross, the resurrection, and Paul’s theology!”

That’s not how God intended for us to react to this incredibly written, detailed account. Luke was blown away by these events. So were the witnesses he relied on. This was the most incredible moment to date in salvation history – the eternally planned, meticulously orchestrated incarnation of God!

Luke is intentionally interweaving the accounts of the conception and birth of John the Baptist and Jesus,

  • To indicate that their lives and ministries are tied together
  • To indicate at each step that Jesus is greater than John
  • Each child has an angelic announcement, a miraculous conception, a birth narrative, a chorus of praise after birth, a naming and celebration by people, etc.
  • Intertwining continues in chapters 3 and 4 as their ministries launch

Last week we read the two birth announcement

  • Gabriel announced John would be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, a devout and righteous older couple who were infertile
  • Gabriel announced to Mary, a righteous virgin, she would bear “Jesus” – the salvation of the Lord

Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth (Read Luke 1: 39-56)

  • Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy was presented to Mary as a sign of God’s power to do what Gabriel announced
  • Mary went to check it out – with haste!
  • verse 41 – John leaps in the womb
    • His first announcement/forerunning of Jesus – announcing Jesus to his mother
    • Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit – Note the frequent involvement of the Holy Spirit in Luke’s narration
    • Fulfills verse 15  – that John would be filled with the Spirit from the womb
    • Spirit gives Elizabeth special insight about Mary and Jesus – blessed are you among women BECAUSE of the fruit of your womb
  • verse 43 – The Spirit reveals that Mary carries the Jesus (note that Jesus is ALREADY Lord)
  • After Elizabeth’s praise and blessing on Mary, Mary deflects all glory to God
  • Magnificat – many themes similar to the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10
  • verse 46 – Mary’s praise and prayer to God (one of many prayers and praises throughout Luke, particularly chapters 1-2) – Zechariah, Angels, Simeon, etc.
  • verse 47 – God the Savior – Salvation theme highlighted; God’s mercy
  • verse 49 – The goodness and mightiness of God – His sovereign power over, and involvement in, history
  • verses 52-53 –  We see the Great Reversal theme, the last first and the first last, riches and power. Emphasized often in the life and teaching of Jesus.

The Birth of John the Baptist (Read Luke 1: 57-80)

  • verses 57-66 – Birth and Naming
  • verse 67 – Note Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit
  • verses 67-79 – Salvation is the dominant theme – but very Israel-focused
  • Contrasts with the Jesus-focused portions of the story, which emphasize salvation for all peoples
    • Probably because John ministered to Israel to prepare them for Jesus
  • verse 68 – God visited and redeemed the people – God’s sovereign involvement in history
  • verse 76 – To John – you will be the prophet of the most high, go before the Lord and prepare the way (Malachi 3: 1)
  • verses 77-79 – John’s ministry is to re-awaken Israel to the salvation and mercy of God
    • We sense how far the spiritual drift, doom, and gloom of Israel is
  • verses 80 – John the Baptist in the wilderness until his public ministry began (chapter 3)

The Birth of Jesus (Read Luke 2: 1-21)

  • verses 1-7 – the familiar birth narrative, but as I read it, it’s primarily a scene setter
    • Time, location, event
    • The main point of the passage seems to be the events that come next involving the angels and shepherds
    • However, note Davidic reference, and Bethlehem (Micah 5: 2) – Establishing Jesus’ credentials as Messiah
    • verses 1-3 – God’s sovereignty over history and empires – He arranged the Roman government to position Mary in Bethlehem as she was due, to fulfill prophecy from centuries prior
  • John’s birth was announced and praised by his father, who interpreted its significance
  • Jesus’ birth was announced by the messengers of His Father – the angels proclaim the meaning and significance of His birth
  • verses 10-11 – Good news of great joy for ALL people – that universal offer of salvation theme that is central to Luke’s gospel
  • verse 12 – Explains the significance of the whole manger thing – it’s a sign arranged by God so the shepherds could clearly identify Jesus among other babies in town!
  • verse 19 – Mary treasured all these things and pondered them. It was undoubtedly overwhelming. I believe this indicates Mary was a primary source for Luke,
  • verse 21 – Naming – links back to the angelic annunciation and remember, Jesus = “Yahweh saves” – salvation emphasis

Jesus at the Temple, Part 1 (Read Luke 2: 22-40)

  • verse 22 – 40 days after the birth of a son, a woman has to go and be purified
  • As the firstborn son, Jesus was also dedicated to the Lord then
  • verse 24 – By the nature of the sacrifices, Mary and Joseph aren’t rich. Probably haven’t been visited by the magi yet.
  • verse 25 – Holy spirit in action again – on Simeon, guiding Him, speaking through Him
  • verses 30-32 – Salvation theme – made available for ALL peoples, not just Jews
  • verses 33-35 – Foreshadowing the suffering of Jesus and what Mary will experience because of Jesus
  • verse 36 – Anna, a righteous widow. Another of the righteous “lesser” we have seen in chapters 1-2. That’s the reversal – Jesus, the friend of widows, shepherds, etc.
  • verse 40 – Four-fold growth of Jesus (size, strength, wisdom, favor of God). He’s greater than John who only had two-fold growth.

Jesus at the Temple, Part 2 (Read Luke 2: 41-52)

  • Illustrates the truth of verse 40 – Jesus’ growth in wisdom and favor of God
  • Jesus shows keen awareness of being the Son of God
  • Wisdom and knowledge before He was legally an adult

 

Next Week: Luke 4 (Temptation and the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry)