Introduction to the Bible – The Life and Teachings of Jesus Part 2 – Luke 1:39-80

Introduction to the Bible – The Life and Teachings of Jesus Part 2 – Luke 1:39-80Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)·       Verse 1:42 Elizabeth said to Mary - “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!”o Through the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth knew the importance of Mary and her Baby. o She says that Mary is the mother of her Lord, noting the importance of Mary’s Baby.o Elizabeth had a miracle pregnancy herself but didn’t compare or have jealousy over Mary’s Baby. Rather, she rejoiced! ·       Verse 1:44 “the baby leaped with joyinside me”o Even in the womb, John the Baptist was able to experience the emotion of joy! Mary’s Praise (Luke 1:46-56) ·       Mary’s song is similar to an Old Testament psalm. o Shows a balance of God’s greatness/holiness and His grace/favor·       Verse 1:48 Mary says - “all generationswill call me blessed”o This wasn’t pride from Mary, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. ·       Verse 1:50 The phrase -  “those who fear Him”o This a reverence for God.o Fear of God is having faith in God.·       Verses 1:50-53 From Mary’s song wesee a contrast in people’s view toward the Lord o God is against the proud/mighty/rich, who imagine themselves as being self-sufficient and not needing God. o He is close to the lowly/hungry, they acknowledge their need for Him.·       Verse 1:56 “Mary stayed with her for about three months”o Mary would be a big help to Elizabeth during the later stages of pregnancy.o She was likely there until John the Baptist was born, then she returned home. The Birth and Naming of John (Luke 1:57-66)·       Verse 1:58 Elizabeth’s “neighbors andrelatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy”o Elizabeth likely was secluded o Her community rejoiced at the great blessing·       Verses 1:59-63 – The baby is namedJohno Usually a boy would be given a family nameo Zechariah confirmed the name John by writing it down·       Verse 1:64 – Zechariah gets his voiceback!o He delivers a great prophecy when he’s able to speak again… Zechariah’s Prophecy (Luke 1:67-80)·       Like Mary’s song, Zechariah pulls from Old Testament imager and focuses on God’s redeeming work.·       He prophesized that his son, John the Baptist, would be a prophet like in the Old Testament.o Irony – John was born into a priestly family, but he would live and minister in thewilderness.o He would preach forgiveness through repentance.o He goes before the Messiah (Jesus), who the priests themselves would reject.·       Verse 1:69 “a horn of salvation”o The horn symbolizes an animal’s strength – think of a bull or oxo  Jesus is the strength of our salvation!·       Verse 1:76 – John the Baptist will be “a prophet of the Most High”o John is called a prophet of the Most Higho Jesus is referred to as the Son of the MostHigho God’s final step in salvation begins at this time – concluding with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.·       Verse 1:79 Zechariah talks about a light “to guide our feet into the way of peace” o The way of peace we have with God is through Jesus!·       Verses 1:77-79 - Zechariah gave a beautiful summary of the life and ministry of Jesus: o You are forgiveno You no longer sit in darknesso You have been given the path of peace!·       Verse 1:80 “The child grew up andbecame strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness”o OT prophets used the wilderness to grow spiritually and to focus on the message they had from God.o John the Baptist in the wilderness-§  Separated from the political andeconomic system§  Separated from the hypocriticalreligious leaders of his day§  His message was different and hislife displayed it.