Tonight we begin our journey through the Gospel of Luke with a discussion of Luke 1. All you will need for our journey is a Bible.
The Annunciation: (vv. 26-38)
Luke’s story opens with the archangel Gabriel visiting Zechariah, a priest serving in the Temple in Jerusalem in the days of King Herod of Judea. The archangel visits an important person, in an important place, with time measured in reference to an important person. But Luke soon shifts his emphasis. In the Annunciation of Jesus’ Birth to Mary, Gabriel comes to a young woman, living in a small village in an unimportant and derided area (John 1:46), with time measured by the pregnancy of an ordinary woman. As we will see throughout Luke, the presence of Jesus will always change the focus of the story away from the powerful toward the ordinary.
The archangel also pronounces a three-fold blessing of grace upon Mary. This saving grace that Paul so often writes about (cf. Eph. 2:8) makes its only appearance in the synoptic gospels in Gabriel’s annunciation which begins with the words “Greetings, favored one.” The Greek is “chaire charitoo.” v.28. The root of both words is charis or grace. The archangel goes on to proclaim that Mary has found charis (grace) with God. v.30. The story of Jesus begins with the imparation of God’s Grace.
Within the Annunciation, Gabriel also gives us a deep understanding of the Incarnation. Mark does not have an infancy narrative, and Matthew only tells us “That which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matt. 1:20. Luke, however, says that not only will the Holy Spirit come upon Mary enabling her to do extraordinary things, but at the same time the “power of the Most High” will overshadow her. v.35. In other words, God, the creator, will completely surround her with his sovereign power. Luke’s vision of the Incarnation should remind us of John’s Gospel.
The Visitation: (vv.39-56)
In these verses we have Mary visiting Elizabeth for an extended three-month stay. In this relationship, we see a model of the ideal community. Throughout Scripture, two women under one roof are often in conflict – Sarah and Hagar, Rachel and Leah, Martha and Mary, or Euodia and Syntyche. But here, like Ruth and Naomi, Luke gives us a working example of a cooperative relationship. We also see John’s mother yielding to Jesus’ mother as a precursor of what must occur after Jesus’s Baptism.
Luke also gives us a vision of Mary as the fulfillment of a myriad of Old Testament women, particularly in Mary’s role in salvation history and the composition of her song of victory. The word “Mary” is the same word as Miriam, Moses sister. Miriam was one of the leaders of the Exodus and composed a hymn of victory by the Red Sea. Micah 6:4, Ex. 15:21. Mary is also like the heroines of Deborah and Judith who not only composed hymns celebrating God’s victory but are also active agents in bringing about that victory. Judges 4-5, Judith 14-16. And like her predecessors, Mary’s celebration is about God bringing victory to the oppressed over their oppressors.
The Birth of John (vv. 57-80)
Luke ends the first half of his Nativity story with the birth of John and the Song of Zechariah. The Jewish tradition is that sons are named at their circumcision and are named after their father, grandfather, or other male ancestor or relative. Under the instructions of Gabriel, however, Elizabeth breaks with tradition and names the child “John” which was an unknown name in their family. This break signifies that John will be someone different than anyone who has come before, and that he will likewise bring about a break within the tradition. v.66
After John’s naming, the once-mute Zechariah begins to prophesy. Zechariah becomes the first person in Luke’s Gospel to proclaim God’s salvation. vv.69, 71. He is the first to proclaim, like Paul later, that God’s covenant with Abraham has been fulfilled. v.73, Rom. 4:13, Gal. 3:16. And he is the first to declare that it is John who will prepare the way for all that is to be fulfilled. v.76, Luke 3:4-6, Isa. 40:3-5.
If you have time today, please read the Song of Mary in Luke 1:46-55 and the Song of Zechariah in Luke 1:68-79
Dinner is at 6. The menu is BBQ Chicken. Discussion of Luke 1 begins around 6:45. We’ll end with Compline a little before 8. Hope to see you here!
Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King’s Son
That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
Psalm 72:1-4