Category: Luke: Long-Expected

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day five)

The Luke narrative gives us a few glimpses into the context and culture of Jesus’ earthly family. What we learn and see early on (particularly in our Re:Verse text this week) is that even though poor (sacrifice of turtledoves or pigeons), Mary and Joseph were righteous and faithful. No excuses. They did what the law instructed. There’s a lesson here for parents, future parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Our regular rhythms and practices express our faith maybe more than any speech or sermon ever could. Reading/Studying the Scriptures. Worshipping. Serving others. Intentional Community.

My son learned this lesson from my dad (grandparent). Just days after mom died he asked Marshall to go to church with him (Bible Study and Worship). When Marshall questioned “why,” so close to this traumatic event (thinking maybe one Sunday off would be a good idea), my dad adamantly responded, “We go to church because that’s who we are and that’s what we do.” Sometimes lessons like these are caught more than taught. Marshall still tells this story.

This Advent Season, may we be mindful to teach and model regular rhythms and habits. Others are watching and learning (especially children and grandchildren) and will learn what matters most to us.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day four)

When Moses saw a glimpse of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, it’s a bittersweet picture. Moses had remained faithful in leading God’s people through challenging times, but his disobedience kept him from ultimately experiencing the land for himself. God, in his mercy, allowed Moses to see the promise from afar, giving him confidence that the Lord would lead his people into the land he had promised.

Simeon’s story is similar, but so much sweeter. Simeon not only caught a glimpse of God’s promise fulfilled, he got to hold that promise in his arms. That was all that was needed in order for him to experience the magnitude of God’s salvific power through Jesus. He was not simply holding an infant, he was holding the firstborn of all creation, the One who is before all things and the One in whom all things hold together. What an incredible kindness God showed Simeon. We, too, have been given the kindness to behold the Son of God.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day three)

“…as it is written in the Law of the Lord…”

Something here transcends the kind of law and grace dichotomy that understands “law” merely as a shackle broken by “grace.” The Law, as Jesus made clear, still exists as that which has proceeded from the mouth of God, its steadfastness likened to the steadfastness of the heavens and the earth. Jesus’s nativity, his childhood, his adolescence, his adult years, his customs, his relations, his disciplines, his observances, his activities of daily living – in short, the whole of his life – was steeped in the Law of God. He believed it, observed it, obeyed it, loved it. And he was accused of breaking it. These accusations were one more way of suffering for him: he who loved the law more deeply than any person on earth ever had was vilified as a blasphemer.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 2:21-38 (day two)

For my eyes have seen Your salvation, v. 30

Simeon had been promised that he would behold the Messiah. He wasn’t surprised in the least when he held the baby. Jesus, as a man, hadn’t performed any miracle or told any parable yet. He was a helpless baby. Simeon knew. He knew this was the long-expected savior of Israel, and beyond that, of the Gentiles. It is unclear how long Simeon had waited to behold the Messiah, but he was ready. In both 25 and 26 Luke records that the Holy Spirit was with him/upon him. Simeon was able to discern this child as king because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Have you trusted the spirit to ably discern the will of God or His grand purpose for your life? You can read Simeon’s great joy. He was able to witness God fulfilling his promise, and what a promise it was – to see Jesus as Lord and Savior of the world.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day seven)

But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” […] and they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. Luke 1:60, 62

We know that Zacharias was mute, but was it more? As the community implored Elizabeth to name the child Zacharias, they begin to try to get his attention with signals. Mute people can hear just fine; why didn’t they just speak? It would appear that he was deaf and dumb (or at least to them), which makes the fact that Elizabeth knew the name of the child all the more miraculous. Whether he had written it for her previously, or if the Holy Spirit revealed the name of the child to her through discernment, it is clear that Elizabeth was listening to the Lord!

Elizabeth was not a passive recipient in Zacharias’ calling. She had the authority and boldness to proclaim John’s name as a fact. It wasn’t the priest who was the primary theological voice in this moment; it was the faithful mother. This is only the beginning of how the Messiah is going to flip the world upside down.  God has called us all to be a part of His plan for eternity. Will you join Him?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day six)

In Luke 1:67, the Holy Spirit fills Zechariah, and immediately, he speaks about Jesus. After months of silence, his first words are not about his son’s significance, his own suffering, or Israel’s political future. They are about God’s faithfulness and the coming Savior. This is one of the clearest signs of the Spirit’s work: the Spirit always bears witness to the Son.

The signs of the Spirit are not power, wealth, or influence. Nor does he draw attention to human achievement. Instead, he opens mouths to proclaim Jesus, his mercy, his kingdom, his salvation.

This invites an honest question: What do our words reveal about what fills us? When the Spirit is at work, Jesus becomes central. Our stories, hopes, and longings begin to orbit around him.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day five)

How do you pray for your children and grandchildren?  More importantly, what do you pray for your children and grandchildren?

I want to borrow the words of J.C. Ryle as he comments on Luke’s Gospel-

This is the portion that we ought to seek for our children. It is the best portion, the happiest portion, the only portion that can never be lost, and will endure beyond the grave. It is good to have over them “the hand“ of teachers and instructors; but it is better to still have “the hand of the Lord.” We may be thankful if they obtain the patronage of the great and the rich. But we ought to care far more for their obtaining the favour of God. The Hand of the Lord is a thousand times better than the hand of Herod. The one is weak, foolish, and uncertain; caressing today, and be heading tomorrow. The other is almighty, all-wise, and unchangeable. Where it holds it holds forevermore. Let us bless God that the Lord never changes. What he was in John the Baptist’s days, he is now. What he did for the son of Zacharias, he can do for our boys and girls. But he waits to be entreated. If we would have the hand of the Lord with our children, we must diligently seek it.

Let’s pray (beginning today) frequently and fervently, with great hope and joy, for God’s hand (and all that it means) to be on our children and grandchildren!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 1:57-80 (day four)

There is a character in this story that is easily overlooked – the company of “neighbors and relatives” mentioned in verse 58. This community intentionally came to rejoice with Elizabeth and Zacharias over the mercy God had shown them. This reflects the kind of community Paul calls us to in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” We are called to a communal life, one in which we prioritize physical presence with one another, one where we are close enough to recognize and rejoice over the way God is working in each other’s lives.

It doesn’t stop there, though. Because this group had gathered, they heard the prophetic call on John’s life. They witnessed Zacharias regaining his speech, and they saw that the Lord was at work among them. The community grew in anticipation and faith because of what they witnessed with this family. The miracles God works in your life are not only meant to bless you, they’re meant to minister to the community you share your life with. An answered prayer for one person turns into a testimony that strengthens the faith of another. The act of interceding in prayer on your neighbors’ behalf allows you to anticipate a move of God with them. This requires that we set our minds on deepening our relationships with one another. To live the Christian life is to live a shared life.