Good Morning.

I wish I could have been there. . . I wonder when he first knew he was different. . . I wonder when he knew that he was God in a man's body. . . I wonder. . . if Joseph and Mary sat him down and told him about how the angel had announced his birth to the shepherds out in the country. . . I wonder what other kids thought about him, and when they realized that he was different from them. . . I wonder what he looked like at 12 years old, talking knowledgeably with the rabbis and teachers of the law in the temple. . . (I have a 13-year-old, so I can picture the age and maturity level). . . but then, this was Jesus. . . yeah, there is a lot I wonder about. . . I wonder if he ever 'liked' a girl, and wished he could travel another road--betrothal, marriage. . . I wonder what the disciples thought, individually, when he called them to follow him. . . what made them drop everything, and go with him? I wonder what it would have been like to be in the crowd when he fed five thousand people from only a loaf of bread and two fish. . . . . . WHAT DO YOU WONDER ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS?

Today, we begin our exploration of the life of Jesus, primarily as written about in the gospel of Luke. Why study about Jesus--especially when you already know how the story ends. . . Well, dear friend, there is so much we can take from our observations of who he was, and how he lived, how he loved. . . Consider: He was born in an obscure village, the child of a simple peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never had a family. He never owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born, and where he did go he usually walked. He never wrote a book. He never held political office. He did none of the things we usually associate with greatness.While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him. He was turned over to His enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had in this world - and that was His robe. His purple robe. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave provided by compassionate friends. Twenty wide centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure for much of the human race, the leader in the column of human progress. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth so powerfully as this one solitary life "One Solitary Life" James Francis

Okay, so there's a simple explanation, huh? Who else but Jesus? I am looking forward to looking at his life through the pen of Luke--theologian, physician, historian, and pastor. Luke is the only one of the four gospels that has a sequel--Acts, (all about the early church and the spread of the gospel through Mediterranean lands). So, how right to dig into Luke's careful writing about the birth, ministry, and death of our Lord! It will be my goal to introduce the themes in each chapter, with recommended verses to read each day, and a single inspiration to take with you as you go. . . 'ready?

Scripture Passage: Luke 1.1-25;57-80. Luke explains briefly the monumental task which he is undertaking, and addresses Theophilus, thought to be a government official of some position since he refers to him as 'most honorable', during the reign of Herod, king of Judea. Luke does a masterful job of laying the groundwork for the birth of Jesus, beginning with the announcement of the coming birth of his cousin, John-the-Baptist. An angel of the Lord appears to Zechariah, the priest, telling him that though they had not been able to have children, God was going to give he and Elizabeth a son in their old age. This son would prepare the way of the Lord. Now, come on, we all think our children have flashes of brilliance, but to be told that this son would make his mark on His-story--that would be quite unbelievable! Zechariah thought so, too, and as you will read, his doubt would cost him for a while.

But in time, Elizabeth does bear Zechariah a child--a special child, and a rugged individual of a man--later called John-the-Baptist, (or John the baptizer). Like Hannah sang praises to God after the Lord gifted her with Samuel, (1 Samuel 2), so too Zechariah sang praise to God for his son, acknowledging through faith the man God had told him John would become.

Today's inspiration: Luke 1.4 - Why DID Luke set out to write about Jesus? so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke firmly believes that he should 'shore up' the things Theophilus had been taught about Jesus. I'm sure that Luke knew many others would profit from the careful writing of his gospel, and yet he mentions Theophilus here and in the introduction of Acts as well. Was he mentoring Theophilus, or was he trying to convince him of the 'case for Christ'? The gospel writers did what they did so that we could KNOW. . . so that we could know truth, stake our lives on it, bank on it for eternity. Luke's commitment to the recording of the truth of Jesus for Theophilus makes me think of what Peter said--"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. . ."1 Peter 3.15. How much do you and I know of Jesus the Christ, though we claim to be Christians? How well do we know Him? Ah, let us dig in, let us dig deep. . .

Thank you, Dr.Luke, for your meticulous work; we are filled with anticipation of what we will learn from your inspired gospel! Thanks a lot.

So that you may know,

Christine