Luke 1

1. Throughout our lives, we often make promises. In Korea, for instance, it's common for a man to promise a woman happiness when proposing before marriage. Some even go as far as pledging that she won't have to do any chores, including washing dishes. However, the reality rarely matches these promises. Anyhow, when we make commitments, we genuinely believe we can fulfill them. The key is turning those promises into reality. A promise is a commitment to keeping your word and fulfilling a task for someone else. In my childhood, Korean families had a tradition of movie nights on Fridays, thanks to a TV program called "A Movie on Weekends." There was a signal at 9:50 pm reminding kids under 15 to go to bed, but on Fridays, we were exempted due to our movie night promise made by parents. They made a genuine effort to stick to it. I looked forward to those Fridays, especially I still remember the time I watched "The Godfather," and the memory is still vivid, particularly because of the meatball spaghetti.

2. This is the season of Christmas. For Christians, Christmas holds great significance as it commemorates the birth of Jesus. It is not the commencement of Christianity, but rather the fulfillment of God's promise to His people. For over 400 years, the Israelites endured oppression and found little hope in a foreign land. Despite their challenges, they anticipated God's promise, even though the exact time and manner of its fulfillment were unknown. This month, we'll delve into the significance of Christmas, focusing on God's promise and its fulfillment through the birth of Jesus. Let's take a moment to read Isaiah 9:1-2 and 6-7.

Isaiah 9:1–2 (NASB 2020)

But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NASB 2020)

For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.

3. Historically, Israel faced the loss of its homeland since 586 BC. Despite residing in the land of Judea, they were subject to the rule of other nations such as Babylon and Rome. During the time of Jesus' birth, Israel was under Roman authority. From AD 79 to 1948, they were entirely displaced from the land and scattered in places like Russia, Germany, Prussia, and Poland. An important concept in Israel's history is the Messianic Expectation. It includes the belief that:

1) The Messiah will come as prophesied in the books of the prophets. 2) The Messiah will not emerge from Galilee but from Bethlehem. 3) The Messiah will be the king of Judea. 4) The Messiah will perform wonders and miracles for His people. 5) The Messiah will descend from the seed of David.

4. The Messianic expectation is rooted in divine prophecy, not human invention. The Bible verse I read today is one of these prophecies, but people often interpreted it based on their own perspective rather than God's. For instance, since the Messiah is expected to be the king of the Jews, some did not anticipate his birth in a manger. There was also an expectation that the Messiah would defeat Rome with a powerful army. However, as we know, Jesus was born in a humble manger, and His path involved death and resurrection rather than a military triumph over Rome.

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

5. When we delve into the Gospels recounting Jesus' ministry, the writers emphasize the fulfillment of God's prophecy and promise through His birth. The recurring phrase "as it is written" is a clear indicator of this connection.

Matthew 1:22–23 NKJV

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Mark 1:1–2 (LBP)

Here begins the wonderful story of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. In the book written by the prophet Isaiah, God announced that he would send his Son to earth, and that a special messenger would arrive first to prepare the world for his coming.

6. All the Gospel writers shared the belief that Jesus' birth fulfilled God's promises and prophecies, some dating back at least 500 years. Luke, in particular, detailed the birth of Jesus, including events leading up to it. He highlighted three signs of Jesus' birth through three individuals:

1) the fulfillment of God's promise, 2) the expectation of gladness and great joy, and 3) the involvement of the Holy Spirit.

These signs signify people recognizing the beginning of God's promise being fulfilled.

Luke 1:8–10 NIV

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

7. At that time, Zechariah, a priest, carried out his duties at the temple of God while people prayed. As Luke recounted, Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were childless. While he was in prayer, an angel appeared to him, announcing the commencement of God's work for Israel.

Luke 1:13–15 NRSV

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:16–17 NRSV

He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

8. God dispatched an angel, proclaiming that the fulfillment of His promise had begun. Subsequently, Elizabeth became pregnant. Later, the angel Gabriel visited Mary, delivering God's message, specifying that the conception would occur not through conventional means but by the Spirit. Luke emphasizes that this was not a burden but a source of joy and gladness.

Luke 1:26–28 NKJV

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Luke 1:29–31 NKJV

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

Luke 1:32–33 NKJV

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

O come O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel Shall come to thee O Israel

9. Luke presented the sign of Jesus' birth as the fulfillment of God's promise. In Chapter 1, he repeatedly mentions the Holy Spirit. Luke underscores the significance of the Holy Spirit's work and presence, considering it crucial as it marks the initiation of God and Jesus' promise.

Luke 1:35 NLT

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:39–41 KJV 1900

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:67 CSB

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

10. As per Luke, God's promise cannot be accomplished through human efforts but relies on the work of God, specifically the Holy Spirit. Likewise, humans cannot generate their own gladness and great joy; it comes from God, particularly through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit and His presence stand as the sole indicators of God's fulfillment. When considering God's promises and its fulfillment, we sometimes make the mistake of expecting quick results. For instance, there was a global mission movement known as the 10/40 Window. Mission organizations targeted countries in this window, mostly unevangelized nations, particularly Arab nations. Some believed that once all these countries were evangelized, Jesus would return. While this may seem reasonable from a human perspective, linking Jesus' return to our efforts may be a human-driven notion, not in alignment with God's divine timing.

11. In Luke's account of Jesus' birth, it's crucial to recognize that it wasn't the result of human efforts but rather the work of God, especially through the Holy Spirit. God initiated the fulfillment, allowing individuals like Zachariah, Elizabeth, and Mary to play a role. Without God's initiation, human efforts wouldn't begin. Joining in God's work is a grace extended to us. During this Christmas time, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it's because God invited us to be part of His promise's fulfillment through Jesus' birth. Our celebration is possible because God, through the Holy Spirit, reveals His mercy and grace. Our standing before God isn't a result of our efforts but stems from God's work and His invitation. Therefore, let's remember that celebrating Jesus' birth is not our achievement but a reflection of God's commencement of promise fulfillment. Immanuel, God with us.