making the scriptures plain

Notes

Luke’s Gospel gives us a detailed account of the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. Here is found the story of Gabriel’s visit to Mary, bringing the news of her blessed mission. She has been chosen as the woman who will be the mother of “the Son of the Highest”, to be called Jesus. And God is going to be His Father. The Child will be King on David’s throne and reign forever!

A young maiden from a humble background, living in Nazareth, a despised town, situated in Galilee, a despised district, Mary was blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He said. God had found a woman living in harsh circumstances but pure in heart, a woman fit to be the mother of the Divine One. Such was His plan, to send His Son, Jesus Christ, as a vulnerable baby into the cruel reality of a sinful degenerate world.

It is Luke who relates the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, and the visit of pregnant Mary to Elizabeth, John’s mother and Mary’s cousin. Elizabeth affirmed that Mary’s baby was the Lord Himself and Mary praised God her Saviour for taking notice of her. From now on all generations would call her blessed! He had exalted the humble and sent the rich away empty. And He had kept His promise, the one made to Abraham and his children forever.

A few months later John was born. His father the priest Zechariah, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, praised the Lord because he was sending a mighty Saviour from the royal line of David. Saved from their enemies, the children of Israel would now be able to serve and obey God without fear all their lives. And John, his new baby son, would prepare the way for the Lord, telling his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. The morning light from heaven was about to break upon them, to guide them in the path of peace.

It had been revealed to Micah that little Bethlehem would produce a King for Israel, a ruler whose origins were from old, from eternity. But Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth over 50 miles north of Bethlehem, several days journey away. According to God’s purposes, Caesar Augustus issued a decree around that time. A census would be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone had to go to his home town to register for tax purposes.

Joseph was of the lineage of David; his home town was Bethlehem. It is likely that they would not have wanted to travel, with Mary then heavily pregnant. But there was no choice. The Emperor had spoken. The inexorable prophecy must be fulfilled. So they travelled to Bethlehem and Mary gave birth to Jesus there. Little Bethlehem delivered its King, the ruler from ancient times.

The traditional nativity story has been built up around Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Mary wrapped up her new first-born Son. She laid Him in a manger, because there was nowhere else for them to stay, other than with the animals. And angels told shepherds guarding their flocks that the Saviour - the Messiah, the Lord Himself - had been born that day in Bethlehem. They should look for a baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.

And they went and found the baby Jesus as the angels had told them, and they worshipped Him. And that is all we know of this most significant of all events. It is Matthew who records the wise men’s later visit.

Luke also records Jesus’ circumcision on the eighth day and His presentation to the Lord at the temple. The Holy Spirit had promised Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. In the temple the old man met His Saviour and held Him in his arms, proclaiming Him to be the glory of Israel and the light of the Gentiles. Sent from God, His life would affect everyone, causing some to stumble and others to find joy. The devout prophetess Anna saw Him also. Praising God, she spoke about the Child to all those waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

In Nazareth Jesus grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favour was on him. In Jerusalem at the passover feast when He was twelve, His parents lost Him. Three days later they found Him at the Temple in deep discussion with the religious teachers. His youthful modesty and grace had disarmed their prejudices and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents were upset with Him but He admonished them gently. They should have known He would be at His Father’s business.

Then he returned to Nazareth and was obedient to them. He grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Luke has given us a unique record of events before Jesus’ earthly ministry - the circumstances around His miraculous conception and birth; the prophesies Mary, Zechariah, Simeon and Anna; and His dialogue with the learned in the temple.

We get a sense of Jesus as the child growing up as any other, but focussed even then on obeying His Heavenly Father at all costs. In the temple He declared His Sonship to God rather than to Joseph, although Luke traces Joseph's ancestry back to God too. Jesus was the Redeemer of mankind. But, in carrying out His Father's work perfectly, He lived as a humble carpenter in seclusion in Nazareth for the next eighteen years.

Then 'in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar' John began to prepare the way for Jesus, so that the glory of the LORD, which is His salvation, would be revealed for everyone to see (Isaiah 40:3-5). In the Jordan river John had the privilege of baptising the One whose sandal straps he was not worthy to untie; the One who would separate the wheat from the chaff. The Spirit of God descended like a dove, and settled on him. God the Father personally affirmed Him as His beloved Son. This signalled the start of Jesus’ ministry of grace, at 30 years of age.

Jesus enters the world

Luke.1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luke.1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Luke.1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Fear not, Mary

Luke.1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Luke.1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke.1.31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luke.1.32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke.1.33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke.1.34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke.1.35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary meets Elizabeth

Luke.1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke.1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke.1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke.1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Luke.1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

Blessed art thou among women

Luke.1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke.1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luke.1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luke.1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke.1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary's reflection on God's promise

Luke.1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke.1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke.1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Luke.1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name.

Luke.1:50 And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luke.1:51 He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luke.1:52 He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luke.1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke.1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;
Luke.1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Zacharias prophesied

Luke.1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luke.1:68 Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke.1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luke.1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luke.1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luke.1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luke.1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

The prophet of the Highest

Luke.1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luke.1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luke.1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luke.1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luke.1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luke.1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

In the city of David, Bethlehem

Luke.2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luke.2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luke.2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Wrapped him in swaddling clothes

Luke.2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke.2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The shepherds see Jesus

Luke.2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke.2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke.2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke.2.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem

Luke.2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke.2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke.2:17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luke.2:18 And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

His name was called JESUS

Luke.2.21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke.2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;
Luke.2.25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luke.2.26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke.2.27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Simeon blesses God

Luke.2.28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luke.2.29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luke.2.30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Luke.2.31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luke.2.32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke.2.33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Luke.2.34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Luke.2.35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Anna, a prophetess

Luke.2.36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Served God with fastings and prayers night and day

Luke.2.37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke.2.38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit

Luke.2.39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Luke.2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

They sought him among [their] kinsfolk

Luke.2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luke.2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luke.2.43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luke.2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance.

Sitting in the midst of the doctors

Luke.2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Luke.2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

All that heard him were astonished at his understanding

Luke.2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Luke.2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luke.2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke.2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke.2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Luke.2.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

About Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance

Luke.3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Luke.3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luke.3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

The words of Esaias the prophet fulfilled

Luke.3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke.3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;
Luke.3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Jesus also baptized by John

Luke.3:15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
Luke.3:16 John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Luke.3:17 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
Luke.3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Luke.3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

The genealogy of Jesus traced to God

Luke.3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,
Luke.3:24 Which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi, which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Janna, which was [the son] of Joseph,

Luke.3:25 Which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Amos, which was [the son] of Naum, which was [the son] of Esli, which was [the son] of Nagge,
Luke.3:26 Which was [the son] of Maath, which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Semei, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Juda,
Luke.3:27 Which was [the son] of Joanna, which was [the son] of Rhesa, which was [the son] of Zorobabel, which was [the son] of Salathiel, which was [the son] of Neri,
Luke.3:28 Which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Addi, which was [the son] of Cosam, which was [the son] of Elmodam, which was [the son] of Er,

David, which was [the son] of Jesse

Luke.3:29 Which was [the son] of Jose, which was [the son] of Eliezer, which was [the son] of Jorim, which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi,
Luke.3:30 Which was [the son] of Simeon, which was [the son] of Juda, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Jonan, which was [the son] of Eliakim,
Luke.3:31 Which was [the son] of Melea, which was [the son] of Menan, which was [the son] of Mattatha, which was [the son] of Nathan, which was [the son] of David,
Luke.3:32 Which was [the son] of Jesse, which was [the son] of Obed, which was [the son] of Booz, which was [the son] of Salmon, which was [the son] of Naasson,

Luke.3:33 Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was [the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda,

Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham

Luke.3:34 Which was [the son] of Jacob, which was [the son] of Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham, which was [the son] of Thara, which was [the son] of Nachor,
Luke.3:35 Which was [the son] of Saruch, which was [the son] of Ragau, which was [the son] of Phalec, which was [the son] of Heber, which was [the son] of Sala,

Adam, which was [the son] of God

Luke.3:36 Which was [the son] of Cainan, which was [the son] of Arphaxad, which was [the son] of Sem, which was [the son] of Noe, which was [the son] of Lamech,
Luke.3:37 Which was [the son] of Mathusala, which was [the son] of Enoch, which was [the son] of Jared, which was [the son] of Maleleel, which was [the son] of Cainan,

Luke.3:38 Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.