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Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Short Reflection from Luke 1-5

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:11 am, 29/11/2021] S.R: π”Ύπ•Œπ•π•Š,

25th December is Christmas. And Tomorrow will be the last day of November. Now, the Gospel of Luke has 24 chapters. Wouldn't it be interesting to read each chapter of Luke before Christmas: a chapter a day—beginning with Luke 1 on December 1 and finishing Luke 24 by Christmas Eve, December 24th? That's what I intend to do! You can join me if you aren't having any other Bible Reading Plan!

[6:53 am, 29/11/2021] S.R: @Gaijuan Delhi @Sir Gaitoubung @Lalit Pune @Mermie @Dr Gailiang @Haoboi Geologist @Marantha Editor @Sir Dim Gangmei: If you haven't read the Gospel of Luke through this year, and if you aren't having other Bible reading plan, why not join me in going through it, a chapter a day? And be surprised in seeing how each one of us is gripped by the same or different verse from each chapter! πŸ˜ŽπŸ˜‡

 

π•ƒπ•¦π•œπ•– πŸ™:πŸ›πŸŸ

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 1 is the longest chapter in the NT. Happy readingπŸ˜…

The theme of Luke is found in verses 1-4. Almost everything recorded in chapter 1 is not found in the other gospels. Very unique. Btw, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are written by Luke.

Now back to v37: Last night, in a two-by-two fellowship with a friend, I asked him to meditate on his favourite Bible verse. He quoted this verse but was unable to identify the chapter and verse, or the context of it. That pretty much sums up the spiritual condition of a person.

Next time, I meet each one of you in person, don't be surprised if I ask your favourite verse and why? Among the 31,101 verses in the Bible, every Christian ought to memorize at least one. Or please go to h___! 😬

Well, this verse is in future tense "will" for Mary had not given birth yet, nor Elizabeth still. God did an amazingly wonderful miracle: divine conception. What God said, it (all) shall fulfill, even the jot and tittle of it!

 

[8:15 am, 02/12/2021] S.R: One of us had asked me to explain more, so,

This verse magnifies the power of God to fulfill what He promises because it's a direct reply to Mary's amazement (v34). Nothing can thwart His plan. Herod will not, Joseph will not, and Mary herself will not be able to stop.

It's not about the power of God to do whatever we desire Him to do. Unfortunately, that's what people want this verse to mean. Again, note the difference: what He promises, not what we desire Him to do.

Herod didn't want the child. Joseph didn't like the child (pregnant Mary). Mary herself knew no man. Still, God made it possible for the birth of the Child. That promise was made since Gen. 3:15.

 

π•ƒπ•¦π•œπ•– 𝟚:𝟝𝟚

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Wow! This is a great verse. Parents, this is how you should want your child to grow. Adults, we are still children (not adults) of God. As long as we are alive, we need to keep growing in this fashion.

It’s spoken of Jesus, so, you may want to argue, saying, "Jesus is God, we aren't; we can't grow up like this!" Well, there's one identical verse in 1 Samuel 2:26, it's said of Samuel (a man, like you and me). Checkmate!

4 descriptions of Jesus's growth:

1. Increased in Wisdom, that's intellectual growth

2. Increased in Stature, that's physical growth

3. In Favor with God, that's spiritual growth

4. In Favor with man, that's social/relational growth.

Intellectually, Physically, Spiritually, and Socially

 

π•ƒπ•¦π•œπ•– πŸ›:πŸ›πŸ 

"the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God."

Not only Jesus is the son of God. Adam is.

Adam is the failed son of God; through him, judgment is wrought upon humankind: Jesus is the second Adam; through Him, salvation is wrought upon humankind.

Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.

Adam was placed in the wonderful garden of Eden where he may eat anything but one; Jesus was taken to a wilderness where He didn't eat anything yet still obeyed God perfectly.

Adam is our elder brother in sin; Jesus is our elder brother in righteousness. We have been adopted as sons and daughters of God. We are called children of God.

Now, watch what you eat, children of God! πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‚

Well, eat your Bible every day!

 

π•ƒπ•¦π•œπ•– 𝟜:πŸ™πŸ›

"And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time."

Every temptation we face in this world can be categorised into 3 types which Apostle John has done in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life!

This was true for the first son of God, Adam (and Eve), and they failed miserably. Look at Gen 3:6. Saw good for food, that's the lust of the flesh; pleasant to the eyes, that's the lust of the eyes; desirable to make one wise, that's the pride of life. Adam (along with Eve) scored 0/3.

Jesus, the unique Son of God was tempted exactly in these 3 things: bread to eat, that's the lust of the flesh; showed Him the kingdoms of the world, that's the lust of the eyes; throw Yourself down, that's the pride of life (vain-glory). Jesus scored 3/3

Adam in the perfect garden without any nature of sin failed miserably. We are in a fallen world with a sinful nature (even as redeemed saints), what hope do we have to withstand the schemes of the Devil? Btw, the devil has never changed his schemes, he only comes in different colours, and all temptations fit into these 3.

Well, we have the Spirit of God that was in Jesus indwelling us, to strengthen us! Well, we have the word of God that Jesus used to fight against all.

Live by the Spirit. You do that by living by the word of God.

That's the reason, why we formed this group, to be more disciplined.

 

π•ƒπ•¦π•œπ•– 𝟝:πŸ™

"On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret"

O how they wanted to hear the word of God! Would you go to church today [Sunday] and listen to the word of God? Sleeping under the blanket will definitely keep your skin warm, but fellowshipping with the saints in the church under God's word will keep your heart, soul, and mind warm.

O to long for the word of God, cause our hearts to press on You, Lord!