Part 5: Luke's Gospel: orientations
Aug 9, 2016 10:46:25 GMT
Post by Colossians on Aug 9, 2016 10:46:25 GMT
This material is for the teaching of the Body of Christ, however the author reserves copyright over it.
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LUKE’S GOSPEL: ORIENTATIONS
Unlike the other 3 Gospels, Luke’s Gospel contains real-time prophecies.1
And it begins with a flurry of them.
There is:
1. The prophecy of Elisabeth concerning Mary’s position in the scheme of things (Luke 1:42,45).
2. Mary’s acknowledgement of her position in the scheme of things, exultation of the Lord, and reference to God’s promises to Abraham (Luke 1:46-55).
3. Zacharias’ prophecy along similar lines as Mary’s with regard to God’s promises, as well as the delineation of his son John the Baptist’s role in the scheme of things (Luke 1:68-78).
4. The old man Simeon’s prophecy over the baby Jesus (Luke 2:30-32).
5. The prophecy of Anna the prophetess over the baby Jesus (Luke 2:38).
And curiously, we note that as part of item (3) Luke is careful to include Zacharias’ declaration that the prophets had been around since the world began (Luke 1:70).
We note also, and that which (also) contrasts with the other 3 Gospels, that the very first ministerial activity of Jesus which Luke records is one in which Jesus declares Himself a prophet (Luke 4:24).
And so Luke seems to be very prophecy-centred, which should not surprise us: it is his record of Pentecost which we read at Acts 2, and it was primarily prophecy which characterised Pentecost (Acts 2:4,11,16-18).
1 This statement of course sets aside angelic prophecies and prophecies by Christ Himself.
A secondary consideration
Luke is also interested in priestly orders and courses, and so refers to the order of Abijah with regard to John the Baptist’s father Zacharias (Luke 1:5,8). (See then also Neh 12:17.)
Conclusion
Perhaps not all is as apparent as we might have first thought.
Amen.
_____________________________
LUKE’S GOSPEL: ORIENTATIONS
Unlike the other 3 Gospels, Luke’s Gospel contains real-time prophecies.1
And it begins with a flurry of them.
There is:
1. The prophecy of Elisabeth concerning Mary’s position in the scheme of things (Luke 1:42,45).
2. Mary’s acknowledgement of her position in the scheme of things, exultation of the Lord, and reference to God’s promises to Abraham (Luke 1:46-55).
3. Zacharias’ prophecy along similar lines as Mary’s with regard to God’s promises, as well as the delineation of his son John the Baptist’s role in the scheme of things (Luke 1:68-78).
4. The old man Simeon’s prophecy over the baby Jesus (Luke 2:30-32).
5. The prophecy of Anna the prophetess over the baby Jesus (Luke 2:38).
And curiously, we note that as part of item (3) Luke is careful to include Zacharias’ declaration that the prophets had been around since the world began (Luke 1:70).
We note also, and that which (also) contrasts with the other 3 Gospels, that the very first ministerial activity of Jesus which Luke records is one in which Jesus declares Himself a prophet (Luke 4:24).
And so Luke seems to be very prophecy-centred, which should not surprise us: it is his record of Pentecost which we read at Acts 2, and it was primarily prophecy which characterised Pentecost (Acts 2:4,11,16-18).
1 This statement of course sets aside angelic prophecies and prophecies by Christ Himself.
A secondary consideration
Luke is also interested in priestly orders and courses, and so refers to the order of Abijah with regard to John the Baptist’s father Zacharias (Luke 1:5,8). (See then also Neh 12:17.)
Conclusion
Perhaps not all is as apparent as we might have first thought.
Amen.