Luke-The Unbelievable Message

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Luke. I am a physician. In my training, I learned to make accurate and detailed notes. These are so crucial for records.I do this for more than my patients. I've kept written notes about other events, especially the life of Jesus the Christ.

In the days when Herod was king of Judea one of the priests at the temple was named Zacharias. His wife was from the line of Aaron, the Aaron who was Moses' brother, and her name was Elisabeh.

Both Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous before God. They followed His commandments and the ordinances of the Lord with out fail. 

Deep inside both Zacharias and Elisabeth wanted a child. They were getting pretty old and still had no son or daughter. They realized Elisabeth was not able to have children.

"Elisabeth," Zacharias said one day, "today is my turn to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense."

"This is a wonderful day, my husband." She was so excited. "God has blessed us with such an honor. You know all the people will be praying at the hour you go in to offer incense."

"I'm thankful for that." And Zacharias was. 

He put on his priestly garments and took the incense in his hand. Inside the temple, he walked by himself into the inner room. 

To his surprise an angel appeared to the right of the altar of incense. Fear overpowered Zacharias when he looked at the angel. He trembled and couldn't speak.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elisabeth will give birth to a son and you will call his name John. His birth will bring a lot of joy to you and your wife. Also, all the people who live by you and know you will celebrate this good news.

"Your son, John will be filled with the Holy Ghost from the moment he is first conceived. John will turn many people to the Lord. John will turn the hearts of fathers to their children. The disobedient will walk in the wisdom of the just. He will make the people ready for the Lord."

Zacharias swallowed and found his voice. He said, "How will I know this is true? You know I am an old man, and my wife is also old."

The angel said, "I am Gabriel who has stood in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this message of good news. Now, you will not be able to speak until your son is born because you didn't believe my words which will come true at the right time."

Zacharias walked out of the temple. The people crowded close to him asking, "Why were you in the temple so long? Are you all right? What happened?" But he couldn't speak.

The people thought Zacharias must have seen a vision while he was in the temple. 

Zachary's tried to tell them what happened using his hands but they didn't understand. When the time for his service ended that day, he went home.

Elisabeth his wife became pregnant. She chose to stay at home for the first five months to take care of herself and the coming baby.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty