Read Luke Chapter 1
Luke, a medical doctor in the first century undertook to collate all that he and others had seen with their own eyes. If they had been invented, he would have gone round with a dictaphone and note pad interviewing loads of people who had seen or been with Jesus from his birth to his death and beyond. With this information he wrote an orderly account of all that took place and recorded his wonderful historical document.
Luke 1:1 “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
In chapter 1 of Luke’s story, Luke collates the accounts of the events surrounding the foretelling, birth and the nature of John the Baptist’s ministry and of the visit to Mary of the Angel Gabriel. The pregnancies of both Elizabeth and of Mary were announced by the Angel Gabriel prior to either taking place. The coming of both John the Baptist and of Jesus were also foretold in previously existing documents, parts of what we now know as the Old Testament (John in Isaiah 40; Jesus in Isaiah 53, (among many others)).
Luke 1:11 “And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.”
It’s ironic that Zacharias, who was a priest of God serving in the temple, disbelieved the Angel and that Mary, a simple, young, uneducated girl of no status believed simply what the Angel had announced to her.
Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Elizabeth, Mary and Zacharias were all respectively filled with the Spirit of God to speak of the things that were about to take place. Elizabeth supernaturally knows the details of Mary’s situation. Mary and Zacharias spoke of the fulfilment of God’s promises regarding God’s mercy, redemption and salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old”
These events recorded by Luke show how God had predetermined and announced through prophets, hundreds of years before, what he would do. The significance of the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus were marked at that time by the nature of their proclamation; by that of the Angel Gabriel.
The scene is set for the most incredible events in human history: The sending of Gods own son into the world, who lived an incredible life and did many miraculous things, but who primarily came to solve the problem of sin.
Walking With the Word : Paul Curd 