Luke 1:1-25
And back we go to the start again.
Luke has always been my favorite of the gospels. Written as a letter to Theophilus, it's a highly-readable gospel, and usually the one I turn to when I just want to kick back with a good "story." Luke seems to add greater detail to the gospel story, wrote a sequel called "Acts," and even includes extra "bonus scenes" that the other three writers of the gospels left out -- one of which is the story we read today.
Zechariah, when visited by the angel Gabriel, responds to the news that he and Elizabeth will become parents by asking "How can I be sure this will happen?" This seems a little remarkable to me. Some people, even very righteous people, even priests who served in the temple, have their doubts.
But this wasn't just any messenger who delivered this news. This was an angel sent by God to deliver an answer to a long-uttered prayer, and Zechariah still expresses skepticism.
Similarly, we might wonder how the Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt, who miraculously crossed the Red Sea, who were led by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire, who had manna freshly delivered every morning, could still bow down to a golden calf.
There is something so frail and human about this tendency toward unbelief, even when (and perhaps especially when) what we are invited to believe is something so wonderful. Sometimes things that are too good are also true.
In his introduction, Luke tells Theophilus that he writes this account so that Theophilus "can be certain of the truth of everything [he was] taught." As we begin the gospel of Luke, let us put ourselves in the place of Theophilus, the recipient of this gospel account. Here is a letter, a message sent to us frail and doubting humans. May Luke's gospel help us become certain that everything we've been taught about Jesus is true.
Drew Clausen
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2 comments:
Thank you, Drew. I always look forward to reading your insights.
Yes, there does seem to be a tendency toward unbelief in all of us. Just now, I think of those early Christians who prayed earnestly when Peter was in prison (Acts 12). An angel rescued Peter, but when he arrived at the house where people had gathered to pray, they wouldn't believe he was really at the gate!
What I find hard to understand is this: What is the difference between the response to Gabriel by Zechariah - "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now..." - and the response of Mary in tomorrow's reading - "But how can this happen? I am a virgin." Both have what appear to be legitimate concerns. Mary receives an explanation. Zechariah receives what appears to be a reprimand and punishment.
I am struck by this: Zechariah "just happened" to be chosen by lot to enter the Sanctuary - perhaps the only time in his life that this privilege would be his. Yet, Gabriel says the person chosen to prepare the way for Messiah will be born AT THE PROPER TIME. Yes, God is in control!
Yes! I get a strong sense of God's sovereign timing in this story.
I don't quite know why Zecharaiah's question to Gabriel got such a very different response, but God knows the heart. It does seem like a severe punishment to a very natural inquiry. But then I think again about God's timing, and the resolution to this story of Zechariah. All of this was part of God having things happen at the proper time.
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