Advent Studyಮಾದರಿ

Luke’s written account of Godful sending the promised Savior is one of historical accuracy, including chronological and geographic order. According to Bible scholars David Guzik and Chuck Smith, because Luke said this information was collected from eyewitnesses to these events, it is safe to assume that he received the information for chapters one and two directly from Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:2). Thus, he got the information from his interview with Mary for these two chapters. Even still, we should never discount the Holy Spirit’s inspiration to Luke by providing these facts in the Holy Scriptures. Amazingly, the detail present in Luke’s account is not found in the other gospels.

Luke included specific narrative regarding the devout, faithful Levite priest, Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth, who miraculously became the parents of the first New Testament prophet, John the Baptist. Also, he provided the account of Mary’s encounter with the angel who announced God’s plan to bring his Son to earth. God’s perfect timing for the advent of Christ is described only in chapter one of Luke’s gospel with these facts:

Zechariah’s priestly division was called in this particular rotation from 24 divisions (some eighteen thousand priests) who served on the Temple grounds. Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to tend to the burning of the incense altar (Luke 1: 8-9; 1 Chronicles 24). This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The process of God allowing the Israelites to cast lots to determine His will for a given situation was practiced many times throughout Israel’s history.

God ordained this moment in time to reveal His message by using an appointed angel who would rekindle Zechariah’s hope and reward his devotion. In their old age, he and Elizabeth would have a miracle baby!

Zechariah may have thought he only wanted a son, but God gave him a prophet whose name is forever linked with the story of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:76-77).

Luke 1:26-28, 31-33 states how God fulfilled the prophecy to Mary from Isaiah 7:14, who then humbly became the earthly virgin mother to the Son of God (Luke 1:38).