Forerunner of Hope
Luke 1:1-25
Introduction
Many churches will begin today focused on a season of Advent or expectation of the coming Christ. The themes of Advent, often signified by the lighting of candles, are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We will use those themes this month as well.
Today we begin journey through Luke’s Gospel.
Luke is not a prominent person in the Bible, being mentioned by name only three times. His gospel is one of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) - take a similar approach to the story of Jesus.
Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel for Everyone. He was the only NT writer not a Jew. Written mainly for Gentiles - people like us.
Luke is the Gospel of Prayer - he shows Jesus at prayer just before all the great moments of his life.
Luke is the Gospel of Women - in Palestine the place of women was low. Luke alone writes of Elizabeth, Anna, the widow at Nain, the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in the house of Martha and Mary, and of Mary Magdalene.
Luke is the Gospel of Praise - ‘praising God’ occurs more often than in all of the rest of the NT put together.
Luke presents the Universal gospel. Luke shows Jesus as the friend of outcasts and sinners. Luke alone tells of Zacchaeus the tax gatherer; The penitent theif at the cross; The Prodigal Son and the Loving Father.
Luke’s Gospel is written to Theophilus (“lover of God”) and is the first of two volumes, the Acts of the Apostles takes up where gospel ends.
Luke is a physician (Col 4:14 “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor…”)
Luke begins with a blending of two dramatic stories. We will focus on the birth of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of hope.
1. Hope For the Hopeless (Luke 1:5-7)
Luke 1:5-7 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were ‘righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lords commands and decrees…’ Their heartache was that they were unable to have children. Enough time and age had passed that there was no hope at this point of having children. This would have caused the community to look down on them - as if something was wrong with them and God was punishing them. They continued to serve God faithfully even in their heartache and hopelessness.
Zechariah’s duty in the temple was a special day. There were 18,000 priests and the offering of incense was the greatest ministry of his priestly career - a once in a lifetime opportunity. They would draw straws. When Zechariah was chosen, it would be reasonable to believe that he heard murmurs about the childless priest getting to go into the temple. Once in the temple the angel Gabriel came to tell Zechariah that they were going to have a son (spoiler alert - it’s John the Baptist!). Zechariah asks, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Because he questioned the angel, Zechariah was unable to speak until the day his son was born.
Elizabeth’s pregnancy was soon verified and she spent five months in seclusion, no doubt with many emotions but realizing that hope had been given to the hopeless.
Just as Gabriel promised, when that day came, Zechariah named his son John and sang out a song of praise!
In the story of his birth, John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, and already the forerunner of hope for the hopeless.
2. Hope for the Faith-Filled (Luke 1:8-14)
Luke 1:8-14 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth...
If God keeps bringing hope, then we should keep praying. In spite of being troubled about their family, Zechariah was faithful to keep serving in the temple. Gabriel said, “Your prayer has been heard…”
So often when our troubles extend into years and our hardships seem to never end, we can be tempted to stop praying. Keep on praying - your prayers are being heard!
Luke’s Gospel is full of praying people.
-Elderly widow who never stopped praying / fasting (2)
-John’s disciples (5)
-The persistent widow (18)
-The humble publican (18)
-Multiple occasions: Jesus
There can be no spiritual health without praying! Luke 19:46: My House will be a house of prayer...
3. Hope for the Struggling (Luke 1:18-22)
Luke 1:18-22 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Zechariah was a priest, a godly man, righteous - but he failed to believe Gabriel! Luke mentions angels 23 times in his gospel. There are innumerable angels but only two are named: Michael and Gabriel. (Wiersbe). Angels always provoke fear - but always say ‘fear not’. Zechariah’s struggle to believe had consequences, but was not a moment of rejection from God.
Luke is full of stories of broken people who found healing and wholeness in the power of God. This is my story - our story - humanity’s story. Luke 22:32 "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” What grace! When John is born, Elizabeth recognizes God’s tender grace: Vs 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
4. Hope for the Future (3:2b-6, 15-18)
The future is about watching for the coming Jesus. John pointed him out!
Luke 3:2b-6, 15-18 "...The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’” ... The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them."
Luke goes on to tell of the teachings, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. That story is the story of hope for lost humanity. There is still an unwritten part of the story that is now just a looking forward.
While John watched for the day Jesus would walk into his public ministry, we watch for Jesus and the day he returns and brings with him the hope of the ages.
Conclusion
Luke begins his gospel with the forerunner hope, John the Baptizer and his faithful but imperfect parents.
Today we begin our study of Luke with a recognition that it is a Gospel, the good news about Jesus.
-Luke tells us of hope for the hopeless.
-Hope for the faith-filled.
-Hope for the struggling.
-Hope for the future.
The Gospel is Good News - and that is Luke’s focus - The Good News of Jesus Christ - encouraging us to be his followers.
Next steps: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Prayer
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Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart
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Discussion Questions
1. Luke is the only gospel that tells us about the birth story of John the Baptist. What is important about this account?
2. When Gabriel tells Zechariah that ‘your prayer has been heard’, what does that teach us about prayer?
3. Gabriel told Zechariah that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit. What would that have meant to Zechariah?
4. What are some reasons why Zechariah had a hard time believing what Gabriel was telling him?
5. If you had not been able to speak for a year, what would you say when you could finally talk? What did Zechariah say (Luke 1:67-79)? What stands out to you in that song?
6. Why would you say Elizabeth went into seclusion for 5 months after finding out she was pregnant?
7. Jesus describe’s John’s ministry in John 7:18-35. Read this text.
- Why does John seem to wonder if Jesus is Messiah?
- What proof does Jesus offer John?
- What is Jesus’ assessment of John?
- The reactions of the Pharisees to John and to Jesus are similar. How would you characterize those responses?
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
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These are the Resources for this Series. I do not plan to list them all in each lesson. JED
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Luke. Holman, 2018.
Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke. Westminster Press, 1966.
Bock, Darrell L. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Craddock, Fred B. Interpretation Series: Luke. John Knox Press, 1990.
Gallagher, Ed. The Gospel of Luke: Explorations in Christian Scripture. Heritage Christian University Press, 2022.
Geldenhuys, Norval. Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. Eerdmans, 1979.
Hughes, R. Kent. Luke: That You May Know the Truth. Crossway, 2015.
Lum, Ada. LifeGuide Bible Studies: Luke: New Hope, New Joy. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Schreiner, Thomas R. ESV Expository Volume III: Matthew - Luke. Crossway, 2021.
Swindoll, Charles R. Swindoll’s New Testament Insights: Luke. Zondervan, 2012.
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Vol. 1: Matthew - Galatians.
