Highlights In Today's Reading:
Written like a modern-day novel whose author is God, the book begins with six main characters: (1st) Zacharias, a priest, and (2nd) his wife Elisabeth, a righteous, elderly woman with no children (1:5-7). (3rd) An angel of the Lord who brings Zacharias a message (1:11,13) — Did you notice which angel (1:19)? Six months later Gabriel visits (4th) Mary and announces the birth of Jesus (1:30-33). Don't miss the unprecedented events concerning (5th) the Holy Spirit, Mary, and the visit to her cousin, Elisabeth (1:39-56). As foretold, (6th) the child John, the messenger, is born (1:57).
The Holy Spirit singled out Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), to give us this inspired Gospel. Although he never met Jesus, his devotion to Christ caused him to treasure the words that Christ spoke, as well as everything that concerned the Savior's life.
It can be said of Dr. Luke, as it was of Matthew the tax collector: He left all, rose up, and followed Him (Jesus) (Luke 5: 28). Luke left his lucrative occupation to become Christ's disciple and, later, an associate of Paul, the apostle.
His outstanding loyalty was recorded by Paul, who spoke of Luke three times in his epistles, calling him the beloved physician. He was the last friend to remain with Paul in his second imprisonment (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; II Timothty 4:11).
Let everyone who desires to be more like Christ prayerfully read this Gospel. When you see how God's only begotten Son (I John 4:9) emptied Himself and became man, and how as a man, He humbled Himself as a Servant and was obedient even unto the death of the cross, you have seen the true nature of Christ.
As your devotion to Him leads you to treasure every word of Christ, in fact, everything that concerns the Savior's life, you will be transformed into His likeness.
We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (II Corinthians 3:18).
Thought for Today:
A part of our daily prayers could be: "Lord, make me like You, fill me with Yourself and use me for Your glory."
Word Studies:
1:40 saluted =b> greeted; embraced; 1:46 magnify =b> exalt, praise; 1:54 holpen =b> come to the help of.
Cross References:
For Luke 1:17: See Malachi 4:5-6. Luke 1:50: See Psalm 103:17. Luke 1:53: See Psalm 107:9. Luke 1:71: See Psalm 106:10. Luke 1:76: See Malachi 3:1. Luke 1:79: See Isaiah 9:1-2; 59:8.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by To God Be The Glory • Staff: George Kopchak • Government Officials: Rep. Chris Cannon (UT), Rep. Hilda Solis (CA), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) • Country: Kyrgyzstan (4.7 million) eastern central Asia • Major languages: Kirghiz and Russian • Religious freedom • 75% Muslim; 20% Russian Orthodox; 5% Other (Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a greater desire to serve the Lord (Psa. 42:1-2).
Memory Verse for the Week: Mark 4:19