Luke_1

Scripture

Luke 1:68-69 

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.  He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”

Observation-What does it say?  

The gospel of Luke was written by a doctor, who was a friend of Paul.  He writes the most complete story of Jesus’ life, and it is written with very precise details.  Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke was most likely not a Jew, but is a well educated man and familiar with both Jewish and Greek culture.  The gospels are all generally written within the first century AD, almost four hundred years after the last book of the old testament.  Luke opens his book with the announcement of John the Baptist’s conception.  John is the cousin of Jesus, and the son of a Jewish priest, Zechariah.

Understanding-What does it mean?  

Since having kids, the type of movies that I get to watch have changed a little.  As to where I used to get to enjoy action and adventure, with great battle scenes with mild violence (sometimes heavy violence), I now try to make sure whatever I am watching will not send my boys into nightmares in the middle of the night.  And so, The Lord of the Rings has been replaced with The Lego Movie, or Surf’s Up.  

Surf’s Up is the tale of a group of surfing penguins who travel to Pengu Island for the Big Z memorial surf competition.  Big Z was the best penguin surfer, until he was overshadowed by a younger, more progressive penguin.  So instead of facing defeat, he fanes his death and goes into hiding, deep in the jungle.  One day he is discovered by an up and coming surfer, who is longing for a role model, but Big Z is unwilling to come out of hiding.   In the climax of the movie, Big Z reveals himself to the crowd at the competition to a sea of penguins in awe and shock that their hero is still alive.

Zechariah, the priest, was most likely well versed in the prophets and the future coming of a messiah.  But, God had been effectively silent to the Jews for almost five centuries.  Both he and Mary have similar reactions to being visited by God’s messenger, shock and awe.  I can imagine them saying, “I thought you were dead.”  They were dealing with the reality that all they believed in, the story of redemption and the coming messiah, was coming to fruition right in front of them, and they were involved in a big way.  Zechariah rightly praises God for his timely arrival.  

God, like Gandalf, is never late, nor is he early, He arrives precisely when he intends.  This is true not only in the grand story salvation, but also in our individual story lines.  The prophet Isaiah tells us that, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  And Peter instructs us, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  Keep hope, even in the times where God seems to be silent, for His salvation and the comfort of His hand will arrive on time.  You may even be surprised by it. 

Life Application  

As we approach the holiday season, I don’t want to forget all that God has fulfilled.  May His praise be on my lips at all times.  For I know that He is worthy of praise, and when I praise Him, he brings His peace upon me.  For I am redeemed and my sins are forgotten, and this is the most important thing that I can share with those around me.

-Tyler Galloway