It Was the Right Time

N.T.#670 "It Was the Right Time"

Nov. 10, 2025

Summary of Luke-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Was Dr. Luke an apostle/among the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ? I wondered that. Apparently not, for Luke is not mentioned among them in chapter 6. He could have been among the 70 followers of Jesus. Luke was one of Paul's missionary companion. He was in the early church at Antioch. He was a Greek, not a Jew.

I like to review the highlight events and Scriptures after we finish studying a book. Keep in mind that 400 years passed without a word from heaven. Then, at the right time, God sent His messengers to earth. Boy, were they busy.

First, we read about the events surrounding the special birth of John the Baptist, who prepared the way of the Lord. John's older parents were both descendants of Aaron, the first high priest. Zacharias was serving in the Temple (1 week every 6 months) when Gabriel appeared to him with the good news of a son to be born to the barren couple. Because he doubted, Zac was speechless the entire time of Elisabeth's pregnancy. He couldn't share the most exciting news of their lives. 

Next, a teenager named Mary, engaged to Joseph the carpenter got a visit from Gabriel. (She was of the Aaronic descend by her mother and Davidic descend by her father.) He announced Mary was going to have a son, Jesus, because she was favored by God. The Jews were expecting a Messiah to come. How could this be since Mary was a virgin? The Holy Spirit was empowered of the Highest in order for this to happen. (1:35) Isaiah 7:14 foretold of the Messiah, Emmanuel to come.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. (1:37)

Mary surrendered to the Lord's will for her life. (1:38) Matthew 1 describes the reaction of Joseph and Gabriel's visit to him in a dream. then the married couple had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for census and pay taxes. That was where the intended birth of Jesus was to take place. And in a lowly manger surrounded by animals, not a place one would think appropriate for a King to be born. Mary's on was called Jesus, according to 2:21. He is called Deliverer, the Anointed One, Messiah, Son of the Living God. Visited by shepherds and kings, this child had quite a future ahead. To me, these events never get old hearing and reading about them, even seeing it in church programs.

LET IT GROW

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (2:52)

Jesus matured in 4 ways:

1. mentally (in wisdom)
2. physically (in stature)
3. spiritually (in favor with God)
4. socially (in favor with man).

By Jesus' example we can see the importance of us and children to mature in those areas.

now

What is our take-away today? Is your faith like Zacharias or Mary?

Are we growing spiritually in favor with God? Or is our faith growing stagnant?

LET IT GO

What a Wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

Friend, if you haven't surrendered to Jesus yet, do so now.