Luke 1: 1 – 80
Answered Prayer
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” 46 And Mary said: “ My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. 57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. 59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Wow, 80 verses. Just a reminder, that when they put God’s Word down on parchment, there weren’t any chapters or verses. It was all one complete writing.
Then someone a many years later to help us find out particular passages came up with the listing of chapters and verses. So, do not blame me that chapter 1 is 80 verses long. Blame the guy who set put all these verses in chapter 1.
Yet, all kidding aside, the scholars looked at the precious information of the Scripture listed by Luke and decided that they all belonged together.
Today, we are going to look at the first 25 verses.
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,
Luke was a companion of the apostle Paul. Imagine how over many years he would hear not only the sermons that Paul would give but he would have special one on one time to ask him all about the past. In addition, Luke was a very good investigator. He probably would have had a TV show that would visibly display his investigation into true facts. Look at the passage in chapter 2 again, it says, “1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us.”
If you review the book of Acts you will read how Paul and Luke traveled with a young man by the name of Mark. Does his name sound familiar? The second gospel in the bible bears his name. You see, Mark obtained his information directly from the apostle Peter.
At the time Luke penned his gospel not only was Mark’s Gospel already in circulation but so was Matthew’s. He could use these Gospels as reference material but what he also had was the opportunity to interview eyewitnesses.
When you look at the other four gospels Luke is the one who went to Mary, Elizabeth, and Zacharias and go over the details with them. Imagine, how John the Baptist’s parents would share the information about their son who gave his life. And what about spending time with our Lord’s mom, Mary.
His interview with them affected him so much, that he was the only writer who gives us this valuable information of Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s birth.
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Theophilus means ‘lover of God’. The way Luke addresses him points out that this guy was an important figure who was interested in Christ Jesus. By writing to him and giving Theophilus a good background from the time of our Lord’s birth, this information could be used to further the ‘Good News’.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
King David developed the ‘courses’ of priests. He took all the priests and put them into 24 groups. These ‘courses’ took turns in staffing the Temple services with each course taking a week serving two times a year. Not bad work if you can qualify for it. You work two weeks a year.
Now please notice that both he and his wife were children of priests. We will come back to this point in a moment. But let us continue to talk about the service that occurs in the Temple. There are many chores to do, wood, the slaughter of animals, cleaning, etc. There was however, a special privilege given to a priest which only happens possibly once in a lifetime. This service was the offering of the incense in the Temple. Some priests may work all their lives and never be picked to do this special service.
Our Lord Is Great in arranging things when He Is about to do something miraculous. He picked Zecharias to do this unique ministry.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Upon researching this priestly duty, I found some interesting facts. You see there were actually three priests selected out of hundreds. One would be in charge of making sure the golden lamp stand was properly taken care of. In addition, this priest would change the 12 loaves of bread on the table of Showbread. The other priest would take a silver plate and take some charcoal from the altar. He would then switch the charcoal into a golden bowl and take this bowl into the Temple and place it on the golden altar and leave. Now it was Zecharias turn. He would put in a golden bowl the special incense created for just this ministry and enter the Temple. Now no one else is in there except him.
Inside the Temple before the curtain separating him from the Holy of Holies. t coals. He would then begin a prayer called the Shemona Essray, which consisted of 18 prayers. These prayers consisted of pleas to Jehovah Elyon – Our Lord Most High – to send His promised Messiah. When this was completed he would place the incense on the hot coals.
Now look at what happens.
10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Now I personally have not seen an angel but from listed records they appear to be quite startling. In some reports they are said to be over twelve feet tall.
Now picture yourselves being Zecharias. Here he is in his one day of a lifetime, inside the Temple, all alone offering the prayers of all the people before God Almighty. And then, he senses that he is not alone. He glances down and sees at the right hand of the altar the angel Gabriel. So, what does he do? He was about to pass out.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Now please pay special attention to the following words of Gabriel.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Now what did the angel tell Zecharias? He told him that his prayer was answered - 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
Upon first reading some might say that his prayer was about him and Elizabeth having a baby. But that is not the correct answer. Remember, what was he praying for? He was praying for El Shaddai to send forth His Messiah. This is the prayer that is answered. What is amazing here is to see our Lord’s perfect ways. The name Zecharias means ‘Yahweh Remembers’. I do not know about you but I think that is so neat. Here our Lord has remembered the prayers of His people and has now agreed to answer there prayer request. And don’t miss the name our Lord gives Zacharias’s son. The name John means ‘The Lord Is Gracious.’ Here our precious is going to use this couple’s son to be the forerunner to announce to the world God’s Anointed – The Messiah!
Now here is another great point that you do not want to miss. Please notice that their son will be who? The answer is that he will be the promised return of the prophet Elijah.
Over 400 hundred years have passed since our Lord had communicated. In the book of Malachi, which is the last book of the Old Testament we read in chapter 4, this “5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Now what does it say here again in chapter 1 of Luke regarding John – “13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Are you ready for this, the name Malachi means ‘My Messenger’. Here in the first chapter of Luke after a silence of 400 years our Magnificent Lord sends His angelic messenger Gabriel to announce that He is now appointing a new ‘Messenger’ who will announce the coming of the Messiah. Wow!
I do not know if you are familiar with Jewish customs but one you might be familiar with is when Jews celebrate Passover, they leave one chair empty. This one is for Elijah. You probably also are not aware that when a boy is born in a Jewish home they place the child in the designated chair called ‘Elijah’s chair’. Here Zacharias will place his son in this ceremonial chair not realizing that he is placing the ‘Messenger’ come in the spirit of Elijah.
Remember in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 11 we read about the disciples asking our Lord about Elijah. This was His response, “As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘ Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
So, what happened? Do you feel sorry for Zacharias because all he did was question the angel? No, because as a priest he should have known that God can do the impossible. In fact, God had just done the impossible. Who was Zacharias talking to? He was talking face to face with a visitor from outer space – a heavenly being. Come on now Zacharias. So, Zacharias wanted a sign and a sign he will get, maybe not what he would be expecting. He was immediately struck without the ability to talk.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
The priest who offered up the incense was to come out and bless the people. Here he was delayed and this was a change in routine which got all the people’s attention. When Zacharias finally came out it must have been then that he realized that he could not talk. It must have been an interesting sight to see him try to communicate with everyone what had just happened in the Temple. For now, though, no one knew about the promised son or more importantly the Promised Messiah.
For a few months as Elizabeth hid herself away until she was showing received here first visitor who was this young virgin with child by the name of Mary.
