Monday, December 02, 2019

Luke Chapter 1.... A Holy purpose doesnt mean an easy life




I am no Biblical scholar.  Heck, I had to make sure my spell check made sure I had the word "Scholar" spelled correctly.

When I saw something posted a few weeks ago though to read one chapter a day in Luke - since there are 24 chapters in the whole book, then we would have gone through Jesus's life & death & looked at the reason of why we celebrate this Holiday.  I was totally down for this!

If you know me, you also know I'm a big note taker - especially when I'm reading the Bible.  Thoughts come to mind. Questions. Things I observe.  ... so while I know this may not be posts that attractive everyone, that's OK.  Because I know there are some others who will also read the book of Luke with me & I hope they read my thoughts & notes & comment to me what they think.  Even if it's a "You totally dont get this girl" ... or a "I never thought of it like that"... & I'll even take a laugh if you feel such things for what I come up with.  The cool thing is, we're all just digging into God's Word. 

So today, you get the introduction of this... the next few days, we'll just jump right in... & some days, you may get one chapter of Luke, the other, you may get a few days of catch up - because let's face it, I still have a lot of usual blog posts & while some may get moved around, I still would like to post my 24 day journey.  & I'll try & post the scripture that I noted with the verse number at the beginning so you can check it out as well & I'll highlight it & underline what really stood out to me in this.  I'll also put it in bold so you can see the difference between the Scripture & my spacey thoughts.

.... so here we go... Welcome to Day 1.

LUKE CHAPTER 1

 6Both of them (Zechariah & his wife Elizabeth)  were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly

*I need to know more about this pair.  I need them to write a book on marriage!

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13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah;

* Here we go... the first time in this Book. When an angel says, "Do not be afraid".  I love that reference that when angels appear to people, they are typically afraid & the first words they say are "Do not fear"... can you even imagine what they look like - how powerful they must appear?

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15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born

* So we're talking about John the Baptist here... & I've never noticed this before.  Filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.  We all have a decision to make when we are born & we live this life.  If we accept Jesus or not.  & when we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes & dwells in our hearts, right?  This is Sunday School 101... so how interesting is it that John seemed to be born already believing & trusting in God - relying on Him before even learning the first words of any scroll.

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19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

* The "stand in the presence of God" just gives me chills.  Also, to know that God gives the orders to Gabriel to come deliver this news.  How special are you that God sends one of the beings that gets to spend his day just hanging out with the Big Guy!

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24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.

* I know this is a culture & period of time reference, but I always hate when it references how much of a "disgrace" it is when women couldnt bear children.  Seems like such a stab in my gut & I know so many others who suffer with infertility.  I also know this was a time when women were sold & redheads got more money (GO REDHEADS) but still... a little tough to always read.

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30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God

*2nd time - Do not be afraid. 

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31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

*Jesus reign... for now into eternity. Never ending. Amen.

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37 For no word from God will ever fail.

* This is just so powerful to me.  NO WORD WILL EVER FAIL.  This whole book we read - this Bible - its all about God's word.  & we have this angel - this glorious being that hangs out with God all the time - who knows God personally - who knows the power & might of God - & he assures us - everything He says... it's gonna stand true.

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66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

* I'm sorry - but this made me laugh.  How nosy are people that they are so curious to what a child will become.  Even now, we see babies being born & we think, "Oh they'll grow up & follow in their dad's footsteps" or we see babies born in horrible situations & we think "They'll never stand a chance"... how easily we prejudge situations & think we know how things will work out.

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80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel
* I need to know more here!  Did he live in the wilderness his whole life?  When he grew up?  Did his family go with him?  Was he all alone? & why???? Did he need to stay from religious leaders who may persuade his thinking?  Did he study the whole time?  Was he surrounded with angels?  ... I told you, I have so many questions here!

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Thought....
So I am feeling John the Baptist just reading Chapter 1 & am thinking ahead....this man is created to be a voice in the wilderness - to lead the way for Jesus to come in.... he was born with a purpose - a BIG purpose.  & I thought of how he died... #spoiler.... a horrible & horrific death with a head on a platter.  This is how his end works out?  After being created for such a Holy purpose on this earth.

We think so easily that being a follower of Christ means that we get an easy life here.  God is the one who can calm any seas - the one who can give & take away - the one who is to protect us.... but that doesn't mean He does.  You can devote your entire life to God's purpose... & still end up with your head on a platter.  Take the metaphorically please. (PLEASE LORD)... But I wonder what John the Baptist's reward was in Heaven. How he has spent his Eternity .... that's the focus.  That's the end purpose.


What stood out to you in Luke 1?

... Luke 2... here I come!


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