A Christmas Bible Study "Good News of Great Joy:"
The Book of Luke
DATE: (1/9/15)
Week # 6
Prayer:
Father God in Heaven, we give You praises for Your grace and mercy this new year. We ask for the grace on our lives to be in Your presence when the roll is called in Heaven. Help us to live totally dependent upon You in our personal life. We desire to be dedicated to You in our life, to be a witness for Your glory. Dr. Luke was a great man in what he did, help to be great in our walk with You. We give You praise, glory, and honor. You are the Great Creator! As we spread the Good News this year enable us to stand strong in the power of Your might, and not ours. Thank You for more knowledge of the book of Luke, and its purpose. We ask this in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Roll Call: Part (2)
Zecharias and Elizabeth:
As a priest, Zacharias would have been a descendant of Aaron and of the Tribe of Levi.
Elizabeth was of the same Tribe. Therefore, John was a Levite and was one who would become a priest. The priesthood of Israel was separated into 24 divisions and the family of Abijah was one of these 24 divisions (see 1 Chr 24:10; Neh 12:17).2 Each division of priests would perform their priestly duties for one week twice a year. The timing of this incident is no mere coincidence. Both Elizabeth and Zecharias are said to be righteous before God (1:6). This is a reference to their spiritual practice as believers in the Age of Israel in that they fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law as testimony to their faith in the God of Israel. They are said to have "walked in "all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless" (1:6). As such, Zecharias was fully aware of the special purpose of his nation and people in a world of Gentiles.
He was aware of God's purpose for giving the Jews and Israel the Law. He was very aware of the promise of a servant (e.g. Ps 22; Isa 53) and king (2 Sam 7:12-13) Messiah Who would deliver Israel. Yet, as we shall see, even experientially righteous believers (regardless of dispensation) find themselves awed to the point of temporary disbelief as they come to grips with the reality of that in which they have placed their faith. The fact that Elizabeth was barren was most likely a source of pressure and testing in her and Zecharias' life (see Elizabeth's statement in 1:25). Barrenness was a significant disappointment in ancient Israel (see 1 Sam 1 in which is recorded the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel) since the birth of children was seen as blessing from the Lord. The fact that they were both "well advanced in years" (1:7) emphasizes the increasing improbability that they would have children much like Sarah and Abraham.
The Angel's Message and Zecharias' Response:
The hour of incense occurred twice a day at 9 am and around 3:30 pm.5 When Zecharias saw the angel, fear fell upon him. This was a common response to many godly men when confronted with an angel and on most, if not all, the occasions the person was comforted by the angel (see Gen 15:1; Ex 15:16; Dan 8:16; 10:12; Matt 1:20; Acts 5:5, 11; 18:9; 19:17; 27:24; Re 1:17).
In the course of his announcement, the angel indicated that Zacharias' prayer had been heard. Most likely, the angel was referring to the greater issue of the redemption of Israel that would be accomplished through the Messiah and not just the birth of a long-awaited child. Note the statement in verse 17 by the angel that "he [John] will also go before Him [Messiah] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." When an angel appeared to a man or woman in Scripture, there is a greater purpose that God is announcing. On this occasion, there was a match between the desire of man [Zechariah and Elizabeth's desire for a child] and the desire of God in history [the fulfillment of prophecy – e.g. Ge 3:15; Mal 4:5-6, the redemption of mankind, the restoration of the earth to the dominion of man through the Second Adam, and the resolution of the Angelic Conflict]. Without an objective understanding of the latter, most often the focus is upon the subjective aspect of the former [a child born to a childless couple] in this event. John would be committed to a vow to refrain from wine and strong drink as a sign of his consecration to the Lord. This vow was imposed by God and it is not clear whether this was the Nazarite vow (Num 6:1-4; Judg 13:5, 7) since nothing is mentioned about not cutting his hair or refraining from contact with a dead body. The angel also makes the statement that John would be "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" (1:15).
The writer of this Gospel narrative, Luke, was one of the most accomplished and educated writers in the New Testament. Had Luke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit desired to communicate that John was filled with the Holy Spirit inside his mother's womb, he would have used the Greek preposition ___ with which he was very familiar. This Greek preposition means "in" or"into." "Filled" out from – __ (or outside of) has a completely different meaning from "filled" in (or inside of) the womb. There are no other examples in Scripture in which God is said to "fill with the Holy Spirit" a fetus while still in the womb. Yet, there are numerous examples of God filling with the Holy Spirit a human being.
We know that John the Baptist would have fulfilled these prophecies had Israel repented en masse and accepted Jesus as the Messiah (see Matt 11:14; 17:12; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:17).
Since Israel did not accept Jesus as the Messiah either prior to or after His death, burial, and resurrection, then the "times of refreshing" as preached in Acts 3:19 (the Messianic Kingdom on earth) has been delayed for the duration of the Church Age. As a result, both Elijah and Moses figures will precede the coming of the Messiah at His Second Advent during the last half of Israel's last days a.k.a. Daniel's 70th Week or the seven year Tribulation (see Re 17:1-7). These two prophets are seen by Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus as Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of His Messianic glory (see Matt 16:28 – 17:8).
The angel who appears to Zecharias is identified as Gabriel. Gabriel is one of two angels identified as messengers to men in Scripture. Gabriel appears in Daniel 8:16 and 9:21 and
Michael appears in Daniel 10:13, 21; Jude 9, and Revelation 12:7. Zecharias' response to the angel Gabriel's announcement evidenced a lack of faith since he asked for a sign – "How shall I know this?" (1:18). Gabriel's response is almost humorous as if to say "just what greater sign do you really need?" As a result of his disbelief, Zecharias was made unable to speak and apparently unable to hear (1:64-65).
Jesus: the Son of God, Messiah, born to Mary of the Holy Spirit. He is most often called the "Son of Man" in Luke. He is eternal God come in the flesh for the redemption of mankind from sin and death.
Relatives of Jesus:
Elizabeth: Cousin of Mary, wife of Zacharias the priest, and mother of John the Baptist.
Zacharias: Husband of Elizabeth, father of John the Baptist, a priest of the course of Abia. The priests of Levi were divided into twenty-four "courses" and shared duties in the temple. Those of Abia were descendants of Eleazar, Aaron's eldest son.
John the Baptist: Forerunner of Jesus, last of the Old Testament prophets, first prophet since Malachi, killed by Herod the Tetrarch. He was "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." He called for repentance in the nation of Israel. He lived as a common man, clothed in camel's hair and leather, and ate locusts and wild honey. Jesus sought to be baptized by John, which began the former's public ministry.
Joseph of Nazareth: Husband of Mary, father of Jesus. He was a carpenter by trade, as others referred to Jesus as "the carpenter's son." Jesus Himself never referred to Joseph as His father. He is a descendant of David. More than likely, he was not alive during Jesus' ministry.
Mary: Mother of Jesus and wife of Joseph. As a virgin she conceived Jesus of the Holy Spirit. She also gave birth to several half-siblings of Jesus by Joseph, including James, author of the book by his name. She is described by both the angel Gabriel and Elisabeth as "blessed…among women." She was present at Christ's crucifixion and is included as one of the disciples praying in the upper room before Pentecost.
Political Rulers:
Herod the Great (Herod I): King of Judaea at time of Jesus' birth. He was declared King of Judea by Octavian and Antony in 40 B.C. As an Edomite (descendant of Esau), he was a traditional enemy of the Jews. He was a cunning politician and an extremely popular ruler for lowering taxes and even feeding the poor out of his own funds. His supporters were known as Herodians. His fear of being supplanted led to his order to slaughter male children two years and under after hearing the report of the wise men (Matthew 1:13–18).
Herod the Tetrarch (Herod Antipas): The younger son of Herod I, who inherited the Galilean and Peraean portions of his father's kingdom. He divorced his first wife in order to marry Herodias, the wife of half-brother Herod Philip. John the Baptist denounced this marriage as unlawful, which brought about his execution by the hand of Herod. He met Jesus only once at the later's trial. He was a political enemy of Pilate until the day of Jesus' crucifixion.
Caesar Augustus: Emperor of Rome from (27 B.C.–A.D. 14). His decree for a census and tax brought Mary and Joseph back to Bethlehem, their ancestral home town.
Pontius Pilate: Roman governor of Judaea, held office from A.D. 26–36. Pilate was unpopular with the Jews as the representative of Roman rule. He often contended with civil unrest, yet his tenure indicates competence in his office. He gave Roman consent to the crucifixion of Jesus in the face of pressure from the Jewish rulers, though he himself found no fault in Christ.
Jewish Religious Factions:
Pharisees: The largest and most important Jewish religious group in Jesus' day. Jewish religious rulers who advocated righteousness through strict keeping of the law and their own oral traditions. They were responsible for the transition of Judaism from the sacrificial system established by Moses to a system of oral traditions after the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. They believed in the resurrection of the righteous and punishment of the unrighteous after death, as well as the existence of angels and demons.
Sadducees: The high priestly families. The Sadducees were in charge of the temple and its services. They set up the market of money changers in the temple which Jesus condemned and physically removed from the temple. They opposed the traditional oral law of the Pharisees and denied life after death and supernatural beings such as angels.
Scribes: Scribes were experts in the study of the Law of Moses. They were not their own distinct party as the Pharisees or Sadducees, but are often mentioned together with the Pharisees. There was likely overlap between the two groups. They were referred to as "lawyers" because they acted as the judges of the Sanhedrin.
Sanhedrin: The highest tribunal of the Jews which met in Jerusalem. The council had 71 members and was presided over by the high priest. Generally, the Roman governor extended great autonomy to the Sanhedrin, but with some limitations. For example, the high priest had to seek Roman approval for Christ's execution. The Sanhedrin is the group under the leadership of Caiaphas, the high priest, which conspired to have Jesus killed.
The Twelve:
Simon Peter: A fisherman who emerged as leader of the twelve. He fished the Sea of Galilee and owned a house in Capernaum. He was married. The name "Peter" is the Greek word for "rock." He is one of the first disciples to be called out by Christ, one of three disciples to see Jesus transfigured, and later the Apostle to preach at Pentecost and introduce the Gospel to the Gentiles. He was often impetuous—he first refused to have his feet washed by the Lord and asked to have his whole body washed; he swore he would die for the Lord, then denied him during Jesus' trial; he ran to see the Lord's empty tomb, then went back to a life of fishing.
John, son of Zebedee: a fisherman by trade, called sons of thunder along with his brother, James. While often caught up in the arguing for position in the Kingdom of God (even his mother got involved in the politics), he later referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He is the author of the Gospel of John and the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. He also saw the Lord on the mount of transfiguration.
James, son of Zebedee: usually mentioned together with his brother, John. He is the third disciple on the mount of transfiguration.
Matthew (Levi): a publican by trade, author of the Gospel of Matthew. Most likely brother to James, son of Alpheus.
Andrew: brother of Simon Peter. Andrew followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist say, "Behold the Lamb of God." Andrew then found his brother, Simon Peter, to bring him to Jesus.
Philip: began to follow Jesus early in His ministry. He brought his brother, Nathaniel to Jesus after his calling. When the Jesus asked Philip how they would feed the multitude, Philip responded pragmatically, "Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."
Bartholomew: one of the Twelve. Almost nothing is known of Bartholomew in Scripture other than being listed among the Twelve in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts.
Thomas: the disciple often called "Doubting Thomas" because of his refusal to believe in Jesus' resurrection until put his hands in the Lord's crucified hands and side.
James, son of Alphaeus: one of the Twelve. Possibly brother to Levi (Matthew), also son of Alphaeus.
Simon Zelotes: the second "Simon" of the Twelve. He is also the called "the Canaanite" in Matthew's and Mark's Gospels.
Judas, son of James: one of the Twelve. He is also called "Judas not Iscariot."
Judas Iscariot: the betrayer of Christ. Judas was a trusted member of the Twelve. He was the treasurer of the group, though Scripture declares that he was a thief who embezzled the money. He conspired with the High Priest to betray the Lord, giving an isolated location to arrest Christ and identifying him with a kiss. He later experienced remorse for his actions, returning the bounty for his betrayal, and hanging himself in sorrow.
Other Notable People and Groups:
Publicans: tax and toll collectors for the Roman Empire. The government would farm out contracts to wealthy citizens who in turn hired locals to collect the taxes. Publicans were personally responsible for paying the tax to the government, but in turn were free to collect additional taxes for personal profit. Corruption was common. They were universally despised in the Roman world, especially in Judea because they had contact with Gentiles. When mentioning the lowest in society, "publicans and sinners" were usually grouped together. Publicans mentioned by name are Levi (the disciple Matthew), and Zacchaeus, chief tax collector in Jericho.
Centurion: a Roman officer, commander of a unit of 100 men. Such men were prestigious members of a relatively small class governing the military, and would count among the local notables in town.
Mary Magdelene: a dedicated follower of Christ after he had cleansed her of demonic possession. Luke mentions her presence with the disciples in Galilee. She was a witness to Christ's death and was one of the first to discover the empty tomb when she and others came to anoint His body.
Mary of Bethany: Sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:43–44). She appears once in Luke, sitting at Jesus' feet learning as His disciple.
Martha: Sister of Mary of Bethany and Lazarus.
Joseph of Arimathaea: a secret disciple of Jesus and member of the Sanhedrin. He was rich and, having asked Pilate for Jesus' body, provided the burial linen and his own tomb for Christ's burial.
Supernatural Beings
Angels: literally "messengers." These are supernatural servants of God often used for communication. Gabriel's appearance to Zacharias was the first supernatural communication from God in 400 years.
Devils: unclean spirits, fallen angels. Included in this group is Beelzebub, a god of the Philistines, translated literally "lord of dung." Some scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub.
Satan: literally "the Adversary." Satan led the angelic rebellion against God, taking with him a third of the angels. He appears in Luke to tempt Christ.
Next lesson, we will cover Christ's birth announced to Mary, and Mary's and Elizabeth's visit.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS:
1. Who mingled the blood of some of the Galileans with their sacrifices?
Pilate (Luke 13:1)
2. Which tower did Jesus mention as having killed eighteen people when it fell?
The tower in Siloam (Luke 13:4)
3. Jesus healed a woman who was bent over, in the synagogue on a Sabbath. How
many years did this woman have the spirit of infirmity?
Eighteen years (Luke 13:11)
4. About what city did Jesus say the following: "… the one who kills the prophets
and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children
together, as a hen gathers her brood under wings, but you were not willing!"
Jerusalem (Luke 13:34)
5. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar, to whose bosom did the
angels carry Lazarus when he died?
Abraham's (Luke 16:22)
6. Which city from which Lot went out was destroyed with fire and brimstone?
Sodom (Luke 17:29)
7. Who was the rich tax collector who climbed up a tree to see Jesus because he was
of short stature?
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2)
8. In what city was Jesus when he saw Zacchaeus?
Jericho (Luke 19:1-2)
9. What tree did Zacchaeus climb up to see Jesus?
A sycamore tree (Luke 19:4)
10. Jesus blessed Zacchaeus' house by saying this: "Today salvation has come to this
house, because he also is a son of _____________; for the Son of Man has come
to seek and to save that which was lost."
Abraham (Luke 19:9-10)
QUESTIONS:
1). What tribe John the Baptist is from?
2). How long did a priest perform his duty?
3). What tribe is Christ from?
4). What couple of the Old Testament had the same problem as John the Baptist's parents?
5). What time of the day did the priest do the incense?
6). Who are the people mentioned in Luke 1:17?
7). Malachi 4:5-6 talks about a person of the NT will be like a person from the OT, who is that person?
8). Dr. Luke is described as the most_________ and _____writer of the New Testament.
9). Who was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb?
10). What has delayed the Messianic Kingdom on earth?
11). Who did Peter, James, and John saw on the mount of Transfiguration with Jesus?
12). What are the duty of the two angels mentioned in Daniel? What are their names?
13). Name the different types of groups of the roll calling in this study.
A Christmas Song:
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
The little lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Sweet bells they ring, they ring out the news today,
That Christ was born, was born on Christmas day,
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me for ever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there.
Sweet bells they ring, they ring out the news
That Christ was born, was born on Christmas Day,
That Christ was born, was born on Christmas day.
Quiz: WHO SAID IT!
We are often known by something that we say. Fill in the blanks with the person who made the statement.
1). But the ________ said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:13
2). And ________ said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Luke 1:18
4). "And _______ said, My soul doth magnify the Lord." Luke 1:46
5). "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from _____ ______ that all the world should be taxed." Luke 2:1
6). "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the _________said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Luke 2:15
7). " And there was one ______, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Luke 2:36-38
8). "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was ________; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:" Luke 2:25-29
9). "And in the sixth month the angel __________ was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:26-28
10). "________answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:" Luke 3:16
Reading the book of Luke: Chapters 1-24
Week 6 Luke 16-18
Luke 16:1-18 Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:19-17:10 The Rich Man and the Beggar, Forgiveness and Faith
Luke 17:11-37 Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy, Coming of the Kingdom of God
Luke 18:1-17 Parables: Persistent Widow, Two Men Who Prayed; Jesus Blesses Little Children
Luke 18:18-43 Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Man, Predicts His Death, Heals a Blind Beggar
Personal reflection question:
Who are the women and men in my own life who have carried the presence of God to me?
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