Luke 1-2
As we embark on our new sermon series exploring the Gospel of Luke, it’s important to understand the unique perspective Luke brings to the life and ministry of Jesus. Luke, the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, offers a carefully researched account that not only tells the story of Jesus but also lays the groundwork for the early Christian church. His writing is rich in historical context and deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, yet it also speaks to a broader, more diverse audience.
Luke’s Gospel is one of four “bios” in the New Testament, a genre of Roman literature that serves as a biography. Unlike modern biographies, these works focus less on strict chronology and more on the character and significance of their subjects. Luke’s account is particularly interesting because, while he was likely a Hellenistic Jew—someone deeply influenced by Greek culture—he also had a profound understanding of Jewish history and the Hebrew Scriptures. This dual perspective allows Luke to present the story of Jesus in a way that resonates with both Jewish and Gentile readers.
The Gospel begins in Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious life, where we meet Zechariah, an elderly priest serving in the Temple. An angel appears to Zechariah, announcing that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will miraculously have a son named John. This child, who we know as John the Baptist, is destined to prepare the way for the coming of God’s savior, Jesus.
This announcement is not just a story about a couple having a child; it’s a sign that God is about to do something monumental for Israel, much like He did with Abraham and Sarah. Just as the birth of Isaac marked the beginning of Israel’s story, the birth of John signals the start of a new chapter in God’s plan for humanity.
But how will God arrive? Luke takes us from the grandeur of Jerusalem to the humble town of Nazareth in Galilee, where we meet Mary, a young woman engaged to Joseph. An angel visits Mary, telling her that she will give birth to a son named Jesus, who will be the King of Israel and savior of the world. Mary, a virgin, understandably questions how this will happen. The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, bringing life to her womb, just as He brought life out of chaos at the creation of the world.
Mary’s response to this incredible news is captured in the Magnificat, a song of praise that reflects her understanding of the significance of what God is doing. She recognizes that God’s plan involves turning the world order upside down—bringing down rulers and lifting up the humble, showing favor to the poor and powerless.
This theme of reversal, of God working in unexpected ways, is central to Luke’s Gospel. Jesus’ birth in a stable, His announcement to shepherds—who were social outcasts—and His entire ministry demonstrate that God’s kingdom is not about power and prestige, but about humility, grace, and love. God’s rescue plan was revealed not in palaces or through the powerful, but in the most humble and surprising of places.
As we journey through the Gospel of Luke in the coming weeks, we’ll see time and again how Jesus challenges the status quo and invites us to view the world through the lens of God’s upside-down kingdom. This story isn’t just a historical account; it’s an invitation to let the life and teachings of Jesus transform our own lives.
