Responding to the Christ (Luke 4:22-40)

After Jesus boldly declares that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2, he is met with a variety of responses. Those in the synagogue were “filled with wrath” and attempted to hurl him off of a cliff (Luke 4:28-29) because of their unbelief.  Others were astonished, filled with amazement at Jesus and the authority he […]

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Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days to enter into battle with Satan (Luke 4:1-2; Mark 1:12-13). This temptation in the wilderness was a pivotal moment in the mission of the Son of God to accomplish salvation for humanity. As the wonderful hymn states, “Come behold the wondrous […]

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Jesus is God, the Son (Luke 3:21-38)

Following John’s preaching of the soon-coming Messiah, “the next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world'” (John 1:29)! Yet Jesus came that day to be baptized himself by John and demonstrate the perfect obedience by which he would fulfill all righteousness.  As he […]

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Jesus, Sinless and Submissive (Luke 2:41-52)

The incident of Jesus remaining in the temple gives us a unique look into his life as a young boy. Not only do we observe Jesus fully dedicated to the will of his heavenly Father, that he “must” be in his house (Luke 2:49), but we also see him in submission to his earthly parents: […]

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His Poverty, Our Reward (Luke 2:1-21)

The familiar story of Christ’s birth includes a variety of characters, from the powerful Caesar Augustus all the way down to the lowly shepherds. Most would think that the sending of God’s own Son into the world would take place in the most extravagant, influential, politically expedient, and visible way possible. Yet here we find Jesus, […]

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He Has Visited and Redeemed (Luke 1:57-80)

Luke’s gospel begins with two angelic announcements and two prophetic songs. In these narratives, through both the words of the angel and the doxologies of Mary and Zechariah, we are given a further glimpse into God’s plan of salvation that would soon find its fulfillment in Christ Jesus.  John’s miraculous birth prompted Zechariah to use his loosed tongue […]

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My Soul Magnifies the Lord (Luke 1:39-56)

In the early stages of Luke’s gospel, before Jesus Christ is even laid in the manger, we are given a foretaste of his life, his ministry, and his mission. Gabriel tells Mary that he will be great, the Son of the Most High and holy, and will reign over his kingdom forever. Then, the Spirit reveals to Elizabeth that Mary […]

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The Promise of the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38)

The mission of John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the Lord, to announce the coming of the Messiah. But how exactly would this Messiah come? How could a child be born who would be the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6-7, being both a Davidic king yet also Mighty God and the Everlasting Father? The answer […]

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The Promise of the Messenger (Luke 1:5-25)

We would imagine Luke’s gospel – an account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus – to begin with the story of Christ’s birth. However, Luke does not start with the announcement of the coming Messiah,  but with the announcement of the coming messenger, John the Baptist: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare […]

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