The good news of Luke

Luke 3:4-6 Long before John was born he was described in Isaiah. Now a skeptic may say he read Isaiah and built is life to model the passage. This may be true but Jesus life was fore told as well and He had no control over where He was born for instance. The fact that it was told, there would be someone preparing the way for Christ, God's salvation is interesting. It's also interesting the length of time this took. We may get frustrated when a prayer is not answered in our time but we must remember a day is like 1000 years to God. He also knows the best timing for things. "“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Isaiah 40:3-5

Luke 3:3 John taught a baptism of repentance. Baptism and a turning away from sins in order for God to forive. "There he preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them." Luke 3:3 New International Readers Version Many of us think we should forgive without repentance but Jesus did not say that. He said Luke 17:3-4 “ If your brother or sister[a] sins against you , rebuke them ; and if they repent , forgive them . 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Note it's our duty to highlight a sin against us but it's their duty to repent before we have to forgive them. In the same way God highlights our sin and it's our duty to repent (turn from it), and then He forgives.

Luke 3:1-2 What is interesting is the bible is based on so many facts they can be researched and proven right or wrong. Today we have some facts that can be checked out "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas" Did Tiberius Caesar reigh? In the 15 year was Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea and was Herod tetrarch of Galilee and did he have a brother Philip who was tetrarch of Itrea and Traconitis. Was Lysanisa tetrarch of Abilene. Also, during this time was Annas and Caiaphas the high priests? Here is some interesting information on Tiberius and Pontius Pilate It was during this time that the word of the Lord came to John, later known as John the baptist.

Luke 2:51-52 It's interesting that Jesus was obedient to His parents during His teenage years. Was this the key to Him growing in wisdom and popularity with God and man? I'm not sure, but what we do know is Mary made note of all of this. Raising the Son of God couldn't have been an easy task but Jesus was good at forming relationship with His parents...so much so that when Mary needed Jesus help she turned to Him and believed He could perform a miracle; and He did, He turned water into wine .

Luke 2:48-50 "I need to be about My Father's business". Is that how we feel today? Do we need to be about the business of God? Jesus at 12 tried to tell His parents but they didn't understand. Mary however, ponder them in her mind. Sometimes being about our Father's business means other in our lives don't understand. Even so, remember the hierarchy of authority (Jesus obeyed His parents), and go about Our Father's business; watching and pondering as others too go about our Father's business. Lord Jesus, please help us submit to those in authority over us at the same time as going about our Father's business, in Jesus name.

Luke 2:46-47 It's interesting that Jesus was missing for 3 days; the same time He was missing when He died and rose again. Remember just because you're not experiencing Jesus for a period it doesn't mean He's not there. Keep looking and maybe 3 days later you'll encounter Him in again, in an amazing way.

Luke 2:44-45 Have you ever wondered where Jesus is? Maybe you've been like Mary and Joseph assuming He's with friends and family...but then you dig deeper and find He's not there either. It has been suggested that when this happens spiritually you should go back to the last time you experienced Him and ask yourself if He asked you to do something then ask have you obeyed Him. In Mary and Joseph's case they went back to where they saw Him last and hunted. Are you willing to seek Jesus out? Lord Jesus, please reveal Yourself to us and help us to find You in our seeking.

Luke 2:41-43 Have you ever noticed the spirituality of a 12 year old? There is something special about that age when a child typically is coming into his/her own understanding of a personal relationship with God. Children's Spiritual Development . It's important to encourage this by integrating prayer and attending church in the child's life. For Jesus, he had been celebrating the feast of the passover (a week long celebration) all of His life but this time around He had questions and He decided to claim some of His independence and stay behind to get them answered. Lord Jesus, please help us not to forget the pre-teens in our church congregation. Help us to recognize this is a signifcant time for them as they discover a personal faith in You.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. What more can be said? He was strong; filled with the Spirit, wisdom and grace; even as a child.

Luke 2:39 It is interesting that Mary and Joseph encounter Anna and Simeon while they were doing what they had to do under the law. It goes to show that God uses our every day activities to bless us. So watch out for it; see what God is doing today in your life.

Luke 2:36-38 Anna had been a widow/single most of her life. She was a prophet which meant she spoke on behalf of God and she worshipped and prayed most of the day. This praying included fasting. When she saw Jesus she knew He was special and gave thanks to God. She also mentioned Him when folks spoke of the redemption of Jerusalem. So Jesus' calling was affirmed by two people at the temple; Simeon and Anna. But this affirmation was for His parents as He was just a baby at the time.

Luke 2:34-35 Simon blessed Mary but he also said more; He said this child of hers would turn the world upside down so some would be lowered and others raised. He also said He would be spoken against because the true hearts of people will be revealed. And ultimately he said Mary "a sword will pierce your own soul too.”. We know in hindsight this sword would have been the death of her Son. Have you ever thought of how blessings come with hard times too? Yes, Jesus was an amazing gift to Mary and Joseph but His life would bring His parents struggles and pain. Obeying God is not a ticket to an easy life; but it is a ticket to a rewarding, fulfilling life. Are we willing to join God in His activity inspite of the cost?

Luke 2:33 Jospeh and Mary were listening and marvelled at what was said about Jesus. Have you been listening? Are you marvelling at what God is saying to you through other people?

Luke 2:29-32 Simon acknowledged what he had been waiting for was now here. It is also interesting to note that Simon recognized salvation was for the Jew and the Gentile way before Paul's calling on his life. Revelation to the Gentiles and glory to the Jews. Have you had a revelation from God recently? Write it down, ponder it, and act on it. Blessings

Luke 2:27-28 Simeon was filled with the Spirit and He went where the Spirit led him and on this day he went into the temple courts. We're not sure how he recognized the Messiah in such a little one. Maybe Mary and Joseph told him all the stories around His birth or maybe the Holy Spirit told him; no matter, he knew this was the Messiah that people were waiting for so he praised God.

Luke 2:25-26 Simon was a righteous and devout man and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and felt that he wouldn't die before he saw the Messiah. For many they would think he was crazy...unless his dream became a reality.

Luke 2:22-24 In the Salvation Army we dedicate children back to God. In a sense this is what Mary and Jospeh were doing. They didn't have to do this for every child but the first born male son in the Jewish culture belonged to God. What an offering Mary and Joseph were giving. This reminds me of the song Mary did you know? It's interesting that they also had to give two doves or pigeons. It doesn't say if they brought doves or pigeons but it would be neat if they brought doves; the symbol of peace...even though this was also a sign of poverty.

Luke 2:21 i was watching Choosen the other day and discovered the day a baby is circumcised is the day the baby is named. Jesus got his name from an angel. Luke 1:31 because He will save His people from their sins it says in Matthew. His parents followed Abraham's ritual but they knew He would be more than a special child.

Luke 2:20 The Shepherds had told others about their angel experience but now that they have seen the baby they turn to God and praise Him. It is important that in our telling the good news to others we don't forget to glorify and praise God too. Lord Jesus, please show us where You are working so we may see and give You the praise You deserve.