Read Luke 1
Highlights:
Luke lays groundwork for non-Jews to understand the Truth about Jesus (Luke 1:4). Birth of John the Baptist foretold (1:5-25). Birth of Jesus foretold (1:26-45). John born (1:57-66); his mission (1:67-79), his growth (1:80). Angel declares Jesus Son of the Highest and Son of God (1:32,35). Mary divinely blessed (1:28,46-49).
The angel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary: Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. . . . thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS (Luke 1:28-31).
Later we see evidence showing why God would choose Mary to bear His Son. The Holy Spirit inspired her to exclaim: My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (1:46-47). This is the highest kind of prayer, for it asks for nothing; it simply rejoices in praise and thankfulness: For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever (1:48-55).
There are 15 quotations from the Old Testament in Mary's praise and prayer, which echoed Hannah's song (I Sam. 2:1-10) and Psalm 107:9: He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. This shows how much the Old Testament was known and loved in the home in which Jesus was reared. No wonder the angel Gabriel had told Mary: Thou hast found favour with God (Luke 1:30).
The hungry about whom Mary and the psalmist spoke are those who, like Mary, long for something that God alone can satisfy. The self-sufficient ones will always be sent empty away. Our spiritual hunger can be measured by the time we spend reading and obeying the Word of God. This, in turn, will prepare our hearts for prayer by revealing to us the Father's will. Then, as we pray according to His revealed will, God will be true to His Word and will answer our prayer. We will receive good things!
If ye keep My Commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's Commandments, and abide in His love (John 15:10).
Thought for Today:
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2).
Word Studies:
1:40 saluted greeted, embraced; 1:46 magnify exalt, praise; 1:54 holpen helped.
Cross References:
For Luke 1:17: See Mal. 4:5-6. Luke 1:50: See Ps. 103:17. Luke 1:53: See Ps. 107:9. Luke 1:71: See Ps. 106:10. Luke 1:76: See Mal. 3:1. Luke 1:79: See Is. 9:1-2; 59:8.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Bible Pathway Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Staff: Ben Wallace • Government Officials: Sec. Hilda Solis (Dept. of Labor), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Rep. Pat Meehan (PA) • Country: Cameroon (15 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: English and French • Pressure on Christians from authorities and Muslims • 28% Roman Catholic; 23% Muslim; 18% animism, divination, and animal sacrifices; 14% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Praise God for His mercy (Ps. 136:2).
Memory Verse for the Week:
