THANK YOU, LUKE! WHAT A STORY!

What a strange account the good doctor Luke gives us. As we draw near to Christmas, it is a great time to listen to Luke’s in-depth and “carefully investigated” account of our Savior’s birth. From what we know of Luke and his own account, he was not a personal eyewitness of Jesus, however it does sound like he may have interviewed some of the eyewitnesses of Jesus. I have wondered if he actually sat down and interviewed Mary, Jesus’ mother. Think of the detail that Luke gives; who else had such a personal connection? Mary witnessed the angel Gabriel coming to her and announcing the birth of the “Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32) who would reign on the throne of David forever. An impossible conception by human standards, but “the Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Think of it, this is a doctor recording these words. He must have been stunned at what he heard and then recorded for us: Mary’s accounts of the angel, Elizabeth’s pregnancy, John the Baptist’s leap in the womb, and Zechariah’s silent penalty for not believing the words of Gabriel. All are miracles and unexplainable by human reason.

Wouldn’t you have loved to be there in the temple as Zechariah pondered what the angel Gabriel had told him or listened as Mary and Elizabeth shared their out-of-this world pregnancy stories with silent Zechariah chiming in with his hand signals? What must have it been like as Elizabeth gave birth to her cherished son, the prophecy-fulfilling herald of the eternal Savior? Oh, to hear Zechariah’s first words after over a 9-month silence!

Luke records these stories for us in the first two chapters of his gospel record, including 4 songs that have been sung for over 2,000 years by the church and the followers of Jesus. I would encourage you to reread the first two chapters of Luke as you prepare for Christmas again. The words of Mary and Zechariah are so rich with prophecy and fulfillment, but they are especially comforting as they sing of their Savior and ours who has truly come as promised to shine a light on “those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

Wouldn’t you love to listen to Mary tell of the discussions she and Joseph might have had after the angel convinced him that Mary had not cheated on him, but rather was carrying the world’s Redeemer? Wouldn’t you love to hear of the late-night visit from the shepherds, all the things she pondered in her heart, or listened as she spoke of Simeon and Anna’s appearance in the temple? Oh, to have the wise men come knocking at your door having been guided by a star and bearing gifts for your son! What a story!

Thank you, Luke, for sharing these amazing miracle stories for the ages. Actually, thank you dear Holy Spirit for bringing Luke to faith and revealing the stories that truly have brought peace to our hearts. Thank you, dear Jesus, for coming down to earth to live among us and to usher us into your family. Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for the gift of your grace and putting signs in the heavens. We can’t begin to give gifts that ever compare to what you gave us, but may we glorify our God by continuing to tell and ponder the incarnation (God became man). May we rest in the peace that Jesus gives us, now and forever! Come let us adore him, Christ our newborn King!

Pastor Darren Green