BIBLE STUDY NOTES

Wednesday, August 30, 2000

• Luke 1:1-25 was written for Theolophilus, a Gentile (and the Gentile community).
• Matthew and Mark were written for the Jewish community.
• Mark is the oldest of the 3 Synoptics (synoptic = similar).
• Mark has 20 chapters, Luke has 24 chapters, and Matthew has 28 chapters.
• Luke and Matthew used Mark as an outline for their work. This is the reason for similarities and differences.
• Mark is the skeleton.
• Matthew and Luke added and embellished.
• The differences are similar to the way we all take notes differently. We have different styles.
• Story of Zacharias, a temple priest. Elizabeth and Zacharias are righteous and upright holy. This is important because the Jewish blamed all ills on sin and/or curses. Elizabeth was not cursed, only infertile.
• Gabriel (woman) sent to Judea to meet Zacharias with good news. He will have a son named John.
• Chosen, sent, anointed
• Ordained for a particular task: to prepare the way for God and to bring sins back to God.
• Zacahrias wants to believe but he has lost hope.
• God wants to prove himself, so he makes Zacharias dumb.
• Elizabeth conceives and hides herself because of Herod.
• John is Jesus Christ’s cousin.
• Story of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Luke 1:26-44

• God’s messenger, Gabriel, sent to Nazareth in Galilee.
• Mary, a virgin, and Joseph: Luke makes reference to the OT promise to David in the event Jews read his work.
• Hail Mary. You are favored. Blessed among women.
• See “Fear Not” again
• His name is given. Do names still have meaning? What purpose do they serve in our culture?
• Mary told about Elizabeth’s joy.
• Mary was about 14 years old.
• She responds, God do with me what you will.
• She visits Elizabeth. Baby leaps in her womb (differently than he had kicked before). It was so noticeable until it was mysterious – supernatural.
• The baby acted like a baby does to a familiar voice or touch – a spiritual connection because both are sent from God.
• God gives Elizabeth a discerning spirit – “Blessed are you among women”
• Q: What brings you here? Or to what do I owe this honor?