Archive for April, 2009
Luke 2:1-7
Thursday, April 30th, 2009The first chapter of Luke revealed some of the great Messianic expectations. The Messiah, it was believed, would overthrow enemy occupation, restore righteousness and justice on the earth, set right all wrongs, and remove oppression from the land. The Messiah would then rule and reign over all the earth from the throne of David in [...]
Luke 1:67-80
Friday, April 10th, 2009The song of Zacharias begins to provide an answer to the question asked by his friends and relatives in verse 66: “What kind of child will this be?” The song of Zacharias, like the song of Mary in verses 46-55, has traditionally been named after the first word in the Latin: Benedictus, which means “Blessed.” [...]
Luke 1:57-66
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009The narrative now shifts back to Elizabeth and the birth of her son and how the birth of John removes shame from both her and Zacharias. Their reversal foreshadows that of Israel under the ministry of John and the Messiah that would follow. However, the unique circumstances of the naming of their child hints that redemption may come in an unexpected manner.
1:57. Just [...]
Luke and 1 Samuel
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009In my reading, I recently came across the following insight into the theme and structure of Luke. It comes from N.T. Wright’s book, The New Testament and the People of God (pp. 378-383).
When John begins his work with the words ‘In the beginning…’, we know he is imitating the start of Genesis. When Matthew opens [...]