Day 78: Luke 3:23-38

“Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli…” - Luke 3:23 ESV

Luke is the only gospel writer to record at what age Jesus started his earthly ministry. This was the age the Levites began to serve (Numbers 4:47), and it was held as the time when a man became fully mature in Jewish culture. Most young adults want their ideal job and salary by the time they're 30. I wonder how much different our culture would be if we had the same understanding.

If you are a genealogy nerd (like me), you'll notice that Luke's record of Jesus' line differs in places from Matthew's. Why? There are four possibilities, but the most probable is that Matthew records Joseph's legal line, and Luke records his actual line through Mary's descent. It was very uncommon to do what Luke did in the first century, but he was the only biblical writer that was non-Jewish, so we have come to expect him to do things differently.

Still bored as you chew through mind-numbingly boring genealogies in the Bible? The following quote from Eugene Peterson is a great way to end today's post:

"Lists of names continue to turn up in various forms and for a variety of purposes throughout the Hebrew Bible. One scholar, a specialist in this genre, counts ‘about 25 genealogies.’ And when Matthew and Luke sit down to write their account of Jesus, they both use the idiom of genealogy that was introduced in Moses. Some complain about the long lists of names that they encounter in their reading of Scripture, and impatiently treat them as deadfalls in the forest impeding their passage. But if I found my name in the list, would I be offended or bored?" (Taken from The Jesus Way)

Jesus knows and cares about your name as well. Aren't you thankful it is written in the Book of Life?

"And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain." - Revelation 13:8 ESV

Day 77: Luke 3:1-22

“Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” - Luke 3:8 ESV

John the Baptist definitely didn't hold back when it came to his message to the crowds who started flocking to him for baptism at the Jordan. It takes a bold individual to call a group of people snakes. Oddly enough, the crowd seems to be pretty responsive and ready for John's message. Not only that, they want some clarification. It is almost as though they're saying, "Ok, so what does bearing fruit in repentance look like in my specific context?"

Of all the answers John could have given, he goes for these:

1) To the crowd: Give away your extra clothes and food.

2) To the tax collectors: Collect no more than you're supposed to collect.

3) To the soldiers: Don't use extortion for gain. Be content with your salary.

Very simply, we see that John's immediate response to their requests for clarification was rooted in generosity and integrity. When we think about our own lives and times when we've struggled with sin, we may be able to identify with this.

John doesn't tell the Roman employees to quit their jobs for the ungodly Empire. Instead, he calls them to higher accountability within the Beast.

May we all ask the Holy Spirit to increase our levels of generosity and integrity today!

"This advice is simple and practical. No difficult counsels of perfection are recommended, no useless penance. The great confessor simply presses home to his penitents the duty of unselfishness, the beauty of quiet generosity in the sight of God. The whole teaching of this eminent man of God was thoroughly practical." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. Luke (Vol. 1, pp. 66–67)

SIDE NOTE:
This section in Luke with this practical advice of repentance is unique to his gospel (Matthew, Mark, and John don't include it). We know that he thoroughly researched what he wrote. This means that the more people he interviewed, the more he discovered that John the Baptist was pushing people toward generosity and integrity. This hits deep.

Day 76: Luke 2:36-52

“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him...And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” - Luke 2:40, 52 ESV

It is wild to think about Jesus making his way through normal human development. Did Mary keep a growth chart of her firstborn as he grew from 3'11" to 4'5" and so on?

These two verses tell us that Jesus wasn't only growing physically. He was actually developing in every sense of the word. Twice Luke tells us that wisdom and favor were at work within his life.

What was it about these two words that made them worth repeating? The word Luke used for wisdom is sophia, and it is defined by Louw-Nida as "a knowledge which makes possible skillful activity or performance."

In Proverbs 3:19, we see that "By wisdom, the LORD founded the earth." Wisdom is what made Jesus so capable, and James tells us it only comes from above (James 3:17).

The word used for favor is charis and is used 154 times in the New Testament. It also appears as grace or gift. It wasn't just with His Father that Jesus had favor; He also had it with those He came into contact with as He grew and developed into the man who would die for our sins.

The application is obvious for our lives today. We would do well to drop to our knees right now and beg God for wisdom and favor. There is no way we'll be able to accomplish all God intends for us to do without these two. If Jesus needed them as He developed, so will we as we grow in the grace (charis) and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Day 75: Luke 2:1-35

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” - Luke 2:25

Jesus has now been born, which was announced by the house musicians of heaven (angels) to the lowly shepherds. Jesus' parents were God-fearing people, which is evidenced by them having him circumcised (on the 8th day), going through the time of purification, and then coming into the temple to offer the sacrifice for their firstborn son.

After this, they encountered two elderly people (Simeon and Anna) who were extremely faithful to God, and this was shown by their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. When we increase in age and don't stop spending time listening to (and speaking with) God, there is nothing sweeter.

Our younger generation of Christians today desperately needs the older. Now, it isn't about doing things the exact same way as we did 50 years ago as a church (methodologically). It is more about helping us to become who Jesus wants us to be. It is about a broader perspective. It is to start seeing that our faith in Jesus isn't something that will go out of style. It will always be relevant to each generation that is open to seeking our Savior.

If we refuse the mentorship of older Christians, we are lowering the ceiling on our potential. The aged open up our minds to a God that is much bigger than we at first imagine.

As author Craig Groeschel's 80-year-old mentor once told him, "You young people think too small."

This is yet another reason for the importance of our involvement in the local church.

Day 74: Luke 1:57-80

“And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.’” - Luke 1:67-68 ESV

"Whereas Mary’s song resembled the Psalms, Zechariah’s praise was rather like the prophets in content. His son would be a prophet of the Most High and would go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him. The salvation He brings will rescue those who live in darkness. Luke’s history of redemption is beginning to unfold." - Foster, L. (1986). Luke: Unlocking the Scriptures for You (p. 29)

Can you imagine not being able to speak for nine months, especially while your wife is pregnant? This was Zechariah's experience. I wonder what would have been the first thing to come out of one of our mouths after this time? For Zechariah, the Holy Spirit had been filling him to the brim with a rich prophecy about his son and the greater work that God was up to that would go beyond John. I mean, this guy was already prophesying that visitation and redemption and salvation had already taken place. He claimed that the entirety of time had led up to this one moment, and he was so glad that his family could play a small part.

Jesus would later confirm the claims of this proud papa when he said, "...among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist." (Matthew 11:11)

Do you pray for your lineage like this? Do you pray that your descendants will carry on a strong faith in Jesus? Do you pray for a faith that will move the impregnable mountains of time and space in our culture?

Our Christian life isn't just about us finishing well. It is also about ensuring that future generations will bring light to those sitting in darkness so that Jesus' name will continue to be called on long after we are gone.

Day 73: Luke 1:26-56

“But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” - Luke 1:29

I believe it is no mistake that Gabriel is the angel that delivers all of these early messages about Jesus' birth. His name means "God is my strength." For this teenage girl, legally engaged to Joseph, she was going to need all of the strength God could give to make it through the next nine months of unprecedented gestation.

Have you ever had God ask you to do something after a time in prayer or a time in his word and then sat there for a moment to consider how in the world it was actually going to play out? Yeah, Mary is experiencing that to the utmost. She's taking what Gabriel has said and trying to fit it into the underdeveloped frontal lobe of her brain (which will develop at 25ish). Even for those of us who are over 25, this is too much to process.

It is best for us not to shirk any prompting the Holy Spirit places in us.

Look for ways this week to be obedient to what God has asked you to do, and keep verse 37 in mind as you do: "For nothing will be impossible with God."

"Mary’s submission is a very lovely thing. ‘Whatever God says, I accept.’ Mary had learned to forget the world’s commonest prayer—‘Your will be changed’—and to pray the world’s greatest prayer—‘Your will be done.’" - Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Luke (p. 16)

Day 72: Luke 1:1-25

“And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child…” - Luke 1:6-7 ESV

King Solomon said it like this: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12)

Delay is something that is almost always followed by disappointment. When things move slowly, we can also feel forgotten. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous, holding meticulously to the 613 commandments found in Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy). Though not perfect, they stood out among a fraudulent generation of religious leaders (which we will see as we progress through Luke). Yet, the one thing they had prayed for over and over was not being answered. It had to do with their physical legacy. There would be no child to carry on their legacy of faith and devotion to Yahweh. This was everything to the Jewish people.

Leon Morris gives us a new angle on this as he writes, "The mention of their age is probably to make it clear that they could expect no change in the situation. Zechariah may have been very old, for there was no retiring age for priests (as there was for Levites)."

They had sung, yet not experienced, the following song their whole lives: "So the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children." - Psalm 78:6 NLT

What is the first thing Gabriel says to Zechariah? "Do not be afraid...for your prayer has been heard." Of course, God had heard their prayers each and every time, but now the answer had come.

Have you been disappointed by a delay from God? Do you feel like God isn't listening to your prayers? You are in the company of the righteous like Zechariah and Elizabeth.

What would they say to you today if they could? Maybe something like this: "I know you want to quit, and you feel like God has forgotten you, but keep on praying. Don't be afraid. There is so much we don't understand, but God knows what he is doing."

Closing with a quote from the Apostle Paul seems to be on point here: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV

Day 71: Mark 16:1-20

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” - Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This last part of Mark, as in other places in the New Testament, doesn’t appear in the earliest of the Greek manuscripts. The New Testament is comprised of over 5800 different Greek manuscripts, and some of them are earlier copies than others. As early Christians copied the gospel of Mark, they included these final verses more and more as time went on. One of the proofs for anything being included in the New Testament was its continued use and affirmation by early Christians.

Plus, this particular passage fits quite nicely with the end of Matthew (28:18-20).

When Jesus asks us to go, it requires us to be uncomfortable. We will have to talk to people about our faith probably before we feel like we are ready. This is how Christianity has persisted for nearly 2000 years. It isn’t complicated, though some may make it that way.

Can you tell someone that they need to believe in Jesus? Can you tell them why baptism is important? Can you lead them in a confession of Jesus? Can you lower them down into the water and bring them back up? If so, stop disqualifying yourself and start being obedient to the risen Jesus.

Ready? Set. Go.

"As always in God’s dealings with humanity, it is faith that justifies and unbelief that condemns, and Christian faith is henceforth to be symbolized and sealed in baptism." - Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 345)

Day 70: Mark 15:1-47

“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” - Mark‬ ‭15:37-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

All of Jesus' life as a man, in the flesh, led up to this moment. He had not come to set up a physical throne on earth to displace Rome. Instead, He had come to face a torturous death at the hands of those same Romans. At first glance, it would seem that Jesus had lost, that He had been defeated. He would appear to be yet another causality in the long line of those who had tried to make a difference.

Yet this Roman centurion was having second thoughts. I'm sure the three hours of darkness was one of the first things to get his attention. This centurion would have been a commanding officer of 100 soldiers and seems to be the one in charge of Jesus' crucifixion. What he witnessed on this Good Friday led him to make a remarkable confession as Jesus being the Son of God.

This is the fourth blatant reference in Mark to Jesus being called God's son in Mark’s gospel. The others: 1:1, 1:11, 9:7.

One of the things that this confession from the centurion should teach us is that a genuine, powerful encounter with Jesus can melt even the hardest of hearts. May we not give up on the most unlikely to believe.

There is no one beyond the reach of our crucified (and glorified) Savior. The following quote from Spence-Jones is a little long but does a great job describing what was happening to this centurion as Jesus experienced the cross:

"He had observed him through those weary hours; he had noticed the meekness and the dignity of the Sufferer; he had heard those words, so deeply impressed upon the faith and reverence of Christians, which fell from him from time to time as he hung there; and then at last he heard the piercing cry, so startling, so unexpected, which escaped him just before he yielded up his spirit; and he could come to no other conclusion than this, that he was in very deed God’s Son." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. Mark (Vol. 2, p. 310)

Day 69: Mark 14:53-72

“But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” - Mark 14:61-62

The Jewish hierarchy had a difficult time (surprise, surprise) convicting a man as innocent as Jesus. He still owns the only flawless resume’ to ever come across heaven's desk (see Hebrews 4:15). Because of this, they resort to speaking directly to him, in case they could catch him on something he said. Lucky for them, Jesus was done being indirect and evasive when it came to his identity. The time was now for him to die for the sin of all humanity. He had not come to earth to abide by the Jewish religious leaders' rules and comfort levels.

He had come to usher in the very Kingdom of God.

In his answer, Jesus took two strong Messianic passages and skillfully stacked them for emphasis. Psalm 110:1: “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’” and Daniel 7:13: “Before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”

With these verses, Jesus wasn't only admitting to being the long-expected Christ (the Messiah) of Israel for the nations. He was also letting them know that he was in charge. No matter how much they would try to manipulate the next 72 hours, he would continue to be the Son of God.

No one was (or ever will be) more intelligent and intentional than Jesus. Again, in him we can place our trust.