Luke 2:1-20 – The Kingdom of God Invades the World of Men

Luke 2 is really the quintessential Christmas passage.  It’s the most complete account of the birth of the Messiah and the text most people associate with Christmas.  It’s not, however, simply a story.  In Luke’s telling he gives us a picture of how God sovereignly works; of how God is the God of power and […]

Luke 1:5-80 – Miraculous Birth Stories

As the scene opens on Luke’s birth narratives, God has been silent for 400 years.  His last words were to the prophet Malachi saying that Elijah would come again and proclaim the day of the Lord (Mal 4:5) and that God would send a messenger to clear the way before the coming Messiah (Mal 3:1).  […]

Luke Introduction/1:1-4

Almighty God, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist and Physician of the soul: May it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our […]

Luke 11 – Reading Helps

1-13 Instead of recounting the Sermon on the Mount in one place like Matthew, Luke spreads the teaching throughout his book.  In these verses he records Jesus’ teaching about prayer from the Sermon and adds a parable that is unique to this account. The model prayer shows the importance of making God the priority of […]

Luke 9-10 – Reading Helps

9:1-6 This is somewhat of an odd event.  No way to know where all the disciples go, how long they’re gone or what Jesus does during their absence.  It could be that this is a rehearsal for what they’ll be called to do after the ascension.  Jesus gives them a mini-great commission and sends them […]

Luke 8 – Reading Helps

1-3 Jesus continues the mission that He laid out in 4:43 – He is here to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.  The Messiah is here, and God’s kingdom will be established through Him – both now to a limited extent and in the future to the fullest. Luke helpfully explains how […]

Luke 5-7 – Reading Helps

5:1-11 Nothing random or coincidental about Jesus being around the boats of Peter, Andrew, James and John.  He clearly seeks them out. The miracle Jesus performs is perfectly appropriate for the four fisherman – He meets them where they live. Peter’s response (vs 8) shows he knows he’s in the presence of God.  It’s the […]

Luke 1-4 – Reading Helps

Overview Luke is a Gentile (or most likely a Gentile – see Col 4:10-14) writing not as an eyewitness but based on others’ eyewitness accounts. Luke is a physician (Col 4:14).  It’s interesting to consider how this affects his writing about Jesus’ miracles and healings.  Luke likely has a unique perspective on Jesus’ role as […]

Esther – Reading Helps

Dates722 – Northern kingdom deported by Assyria605 – First Jewish captives taken to Babylon from Judah (includes Daniel)586 – Jerusalem destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar539 – Fall of Babylon to Persia536 – First return of Jews to Israel under Zerubbabel (end of 70-year captivity per Daniel prophecy)483 – Vashti deposed481 – Xerxes’ campaign against Greece launched479 (7th […]