Page 4 - Good News December 2013 paper

very birth is a miracle, and Son of God, is also the Son of
every child is a gift from
EGod. But more than 20 cen-
turies ago, there was a truly
miraculous birth; the Son of God
was born a man. With divine
Father and human mother, Jesus
entered history - God in the flesh.
Luke affirms Christ's divinity, but
the real emphasis of his book is
to show His humanity - Jesus the
disciples, had access to other
Man. As a doctor, Luke was a man
of science, and as a Greek, he was
a man of detail. It is not surprising,
then, that he begins by outlining
his extensive research and reliable, historical documents.
explaining that he is reporting the
facts (Luke 1:1-4). In addition,
Luke was a close friend and
travelling companion of Paul, so
he could interview the other their sons. From Zacharias
Abraham back to Adam, under-
historical accounts, and was an scoring His identity as the Son of
eyewitness to the birth and Man.
growth of the early church. His
Gospel and book of Acts are After the temptation in the
Judaean wastelands (Luke 4:1-
13), Jesus returned to Galilee
Luke's story begins with angels and began to preach, teach, and
appearing to Zacharias and then heal (Luke 4:14-21:38). During
Mary, telling them of the birth of this time, he solidified his group
and of 12 disciples, calling Peter,
Elizabeth would come John the James, John (Luke 5:1-10), and
Baptist who would prepare the Matthew (Luke 5:27-29). Later
way for Christ. And Mary would Jesus commissioned the disci-
conceive by the Holy Spirit and ples and sent them out to
bear Jesus, the Son of God. Soon proclaim the Kingdom of God.
after John's birth, Caesar Augus- When they returned, He revealed
tus declared a census, and so to them His mission, His true
Mary and Joseph travelled to identity, and what it means to be
Bethlehem, the city of David, their His disciples (Luke 9:18-62). His
ancient ancestor. There the child mission - to be the Saviour of the
was born. Angels announced the world - would take Him to Jerusa-
joyous event to shepherds who lem (Luke 9:51-53), where He
rushed to the manger. When they would be rejected, tried, and
left, they were praising God and crucified.
spreading the news. Eight days
later, Jesus was circumcised and While carrying His cross to
then dedicated to God in the Golgotha, some women in
Temple where Simeon and Anna Jerusalem wept for Him; but
confirmed his identity as the Jesus told them to weep for
Saviour, their Messiah. themselves and their children
(Luke 23:28). But Luke's Gospel
Luke gives us a glimpse of Jesus does not end in sadness. It
at age 12 - discussing theology concludes with the thrilling
with the teachers of the Law at the account of Jesus' resurrection
Temple (Luke 2:41-52). The next from the dead, His appearances
event occurs 18 years later, when to the disciples, and His promise
we read of John the Baptist to send the Holy Spirit (Luke
preaching in the wilderness. 24:1-53). Read Luke's beautifully
Jesus came to John to be written and accurate account of
baptized before beginning His the life of Jesus, Son of Man and
public ministry (Luke 3:1-38). At Son of God. Then praise God for
this point, Luke traces Jesus' sending the Saviour for all men -
genealogy on his stepfather our risen and triumphant Lord!
Joseph's side, through David and [Life Application Bible].