Luke 1:23-25 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
 
ZECHARIAH’S a cool dude. He’s so faithful. Look at him. God has placed a big-time (no, HUGE) favor on him and his wife Elizabeth. A very special son, John, is coming. John will point the way to the Messiah. Zechariah is UP THERE!
     But look at his response. He remains faithful to his duties. He has an appointed time to be in Jerusalem, so he can work at the Temple. No, he isn’t suddenly too important to forego his service to God and to the Jews. He faithfully fulfills his priestly duties just as he always has.
     Then see Elizabeth. You have to love her. She is amazed, honored and humbled over what God has done. God has opened her long barren womb to give her a son. What a beautiful response to God’s blessings: “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
     Are you amazed at what God has done in your life? Are you feeling honored and humble that God has chosen you to be his child? Are you experiencing God’s favor on you? Have you stopped to consider, as I asked yesterday, the remarkable things God has brought to your life? Elizabeth did. I hope you do know God’s great favor for your life.
     I know. Most days, as we experience life’s realities, it’s difficult to feel anything special from God, isn’t it? Often you’re dealing with those inevitable “too” things. You know what they are: too much stress, too many worries, too much doubt, too little time with God, too much time with hassle, too undecided…and the list goes on too long. How is it possible to know God’s favor in these circumstances?
     Let’s learn how from Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s example. Remember how this couple was, “Both of them were upright in the sight of God.” (Luke 1:6) Upright before God means you trust him. You obey his commands, and you look his way when you make decisions. Upright before God is believing he is your strength and your help. You understand his grace is sufficient to save you to eternal life. Upright is putting God on top of your life’s priorities list.
     That’s what you do, when the “too’s” are too much. Put God at the top of your list. Go ahead. Write your list of who and what is most important in your life. Is God anywhere near the top? If not, rearrange your list. Put God at the top. I mean at the TOP - before everything! Put HIM up there. Look up to him and be upright in him. Then you will see how his favor will increasingly cover you.
     Be as Zechariah and Elizabeth. Humbly serve the Lord because he is most important of all in your life.
 
Prayer: Lord God in Heaven, I put you at the top of my list. You are the most important truth of my life. I love you more than anything or anyone. In Jesus’ name, I praise you, amen.

Luke 1: 21-22 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out (from the Holy of Holies), Zechariah could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
 
ZECHARIAH had seen and heard from God’s messenger Gabriel. But God has silenced his tongue to affirm his power to do the impossible. Zechariah has an extraordinary event to tell to the Jews in the temple. But all he could do was make signs to them. The people knew something remarkable has happened to Zechariah. Don’t you think this godly priest was frustrated he could not tell of his remarkable encounter with God?
     How about you? Have you ever considered God’s remarkable acts in your life? Have you ever told anyone? What remarkable experiences could you be eager to tell?
     Let’s think for a minute. Would it be remarkable to have a Bible to read? Some of my friends in Africa reading this will certainly tell you how rare it is for people in their church – and even for themselves – to have a Bible. Surely it is an extraordinary thing to have God’s Word so available to you. Many of us have more than one copy, don’t we?
     Or have you thought of this: You have experienced someone praying for you. This is also quite remarkable, isn’t it? As you heard words of love, mercy and compassion from someone caring for you, interceding to the Almighty God for you, an extraordinary event has occurred in your life! Surely we can consider many, many remarkable events in our lives, can’t we?
     Yes, if you are a Christian, you, as did Zechariah, have received some remarkable messages from God. They sound like this: “God so loved you, he sent Jesus to die for you.” “By grace you have been saved.” “Confess Jesus and be saved.” “I will make all things new.” Certainly, you’ve also heard, “I forgive you.” “I love you.” “Be at peace.” “Rejoice and be glad.” “Come to me and I will give you rest.”
     I encourage you to consider the many remarkable ways God has spoken to you. Then do something Zechariah couldn’t do. Speak about your remarkable experiences. Be bursting in your heart to express these events with those around you. Openly confess of God’s amazing words and works into your life. Let people know, and help them see the ways God’s remarkable messages have come to them, too.
     As Jesus’ church, let’s put our voices together. Take a moment to email a remarkable way you’ve experienced God. I’ll share them with the world, so more people will know the great signs of God’s remarkable joy, peace, love and eternal life.
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, we rejoice together in your remarkable plan to save us to eternal life. In Jesus’ name we rejoice. Amen.
 

Luke 1:18-20 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”
 
GABRIEL, God’s messenger, has just given to the priest Zechariah a very impossible promise. “You and Elizabeth are going to have a son to be as Elijah!” Zechariah would know that this is Malachi’s prophecy come true! (Malachi 4:5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.) For 400 years the Jews had waited for an Elijah-like prophet to announce the coming of the Messiah. Zechariah has just heard that his son is the Savior! This miracle son to come will prepare a people for the Lord. Centuries of waiting is done. What would be your response to such a promise? Would you, as Zechariah, respond with unbelief? Would you, in essence, tell Gabriel, “No way! That’s impossible.”
     I probably would. In fact, I’m sure I have hundreds of times. For example, when I often find it impossible to believe Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 6:33: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
     Instead, I often say, “Now what do I do? This is too simple. This is impossible. How can this be? I need to be in control. Surely worry will help!” It’s a wonder God doesn’t strike me speechless as he did Zechariah. If my tongue will not confess God’s wonders and believe in God’s promises for my life, what good is my tongue? God’s promise here is of a new day to come to the earth. Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s’ lives will take on new meaning, and their response will bring glory to God. God will use their son to open the final door to the One who is to come and give to us eternal life.
     Eternal salvation is impossible and cannot be unless God does his miracles. And so he does. Yes, trusting God’s salvation through Jesus puts our hearts into a place to build our faith to confess and believe, “God is my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) And in such faith we can let go of, “That’s impossible.” to hear God say, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11)
      Some days it is good to be silent to hear God’s confident and comforting promises. Yes, these things are for you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your eternal promises. Grow my faith to exalt you in all I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.  

Luke 1:16-17 Many of the people of Israel will he (John) bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous –  to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
 
GOD has set the stage. All has been arranged since eternity past and now God’s great gift of love is about to come into the world!
     But there is one final thing to do. One final person has to come on stage before the main performance begins. Before the star comes out, God wants to excite his people to cheer and to celebrate his Savior of the world. The Savior’s prophecies, his presence and his power await the announcer to introduce him to the world. God’s desire is for his people to expectantly and joyfully raise their hearts to receive his Son.
     John is to be the impassioned announcer. You remember Elijah’s passion and power to awaken people to God, don’t you? Elijah pointed out Israel’s sins. He demonstrated God’s salvation. God will use John in an “Elijah-like” way to awaken the Jews to his judgment and to prepare his people for God’s salvation. Fathers will care for their children in God’s ways. The Jews and then the world will listen to what is right. Many from this time on will be ready to wholeheartedly receive their Savior!
     How about you? Have you met the Savior? If you haven’t, keep reading with us through Luke. He’s about to show up. If you have met the Savior, this is a good time to be renewed in his passion for you. This is also a good time to remember you have something wonderful to announce to the world, don’t you? You, too, can be as Elijah and John. You can tell of the Savior’s passion and God’s power to forgive sins. You can proclaim to the world how Jesus has offered his eternal life to those who believe in him.
     Go ahead. Be a Jesus Announcer. Get people excited. Pray their hearts are raised up to meet Jesus. Tell your friends God’s Savior has come for them.
 
Prayer: Open my mouth, Lord, to announce your salvation. In Jesus’ saving power I pray, amen.

Luke 1:11-15 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 
 
JUST going about his day, doing his duties, being a good priest, and BAM! God’s messenger, Gabriel shows up. There he stood next to the altar. With a response that is the same with every biblical person who meets an angel from God, Zechariah is “gripped with fear”. Why?
     It is because this mortal man has suddenly been confronted face-to-face with God’s holiness. He also clearly sees his imperfections and sin before God’s perfection. Gabriel has come straight from the throne of Heaven. They bring heaven’s glory with them, and we sin-dirty humans are terrified. How does Zechariah stand up amid his fear?
     He quickly realizes he has also come face-to-face with God’s grace. God’s grace is in Gabriel’s voice telling Zechariah a wonderful gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth is on its way. They will soon welcome into their lives a son, long prayed for, no longer hoped for. In fact, as Gabriel said, “your prayer has been heard” I wonder how long it had been since the couple had prayed for a son. Surely these elderly people had long resigned themselves to no son.
     Have you ever experienced such a prayer answer? You prayed passionately and consistently, but God was silent. You stopped. And years later you saw God say, “Yes, your prayer has been heard.”
     Even more, God’s gift is more than a son. The gift is John, one who will bring joy to his parents. And more magnificently, John will “be great in the sight of the Lord…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.”
     John is one-of-a-kind. We’ll learn more of him as we continue in Luke. For now, let’s celebrate with Zechariah God’s promised gift to come soon. God is about to inaugurate his Kingdom on earth, so we, too, can come face-to-face with God.  
 
Prayer: Oh Lord God, you are holy, but in my sin I am not. Create in me a clean heart as I receive Jesus’ sacrificial blood over my soul. In his name, I pray, amen.

Luke 1:8-10 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
 
ZECHARIAH is a priest in Israel. As recorded in God’s law in the book of Leviticus, priests were divided into groups to offer sacrifices for the people at appropriate times.
     Zechariah and his division are on duty at the temple in Jerusalem for one week a year. And by lot (a Spirit-guided process of discerning whom God is choosing for his work), it is determined that he will go into the Holy Place, into God’s presence. There he would burn incense and offer prayers for his people. Zechariah was doing his duties. He was born into the clan of priests, and he accepted his position in life with a humble, serving heart. God ordained him to this position, and he obeyed.
     From the Old Testament of the law to the New Testament of grace, God has moved his priestly functions into all who believe in Jesus. The Apostle John writes to the early church this stunning description of Jesus’ transforming power into our lives: Revelation 1:4-8 John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father — to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
     What does it mean to be a “priest to serve God? Here are some thoughts The Old Testament priests offered sacrifices. We do not offer animal sacrifices, but we offer our lives as living sacrifices to Christ. We sacrifice our desires to put him first in our lives. We sacrifice and offer our time and gifts to strengthen Jesus’ church. We sacrifice money to give to those in great need. We may sacrifice our home to welcome strangers, food to feed the unknown, clothes to cover the naked, and words to comfort the afflicted. Perhaps most of all, our priestly duty as a Christian is to intercede in prayer for all. We pray for our pastors, our church, our neighbors, our family, our nation and our world.
     Priests also offered blessings to God’s people. Christian priesthood is proclaiming blessing and praise to others and to God. Christian priests love to be faithful witnesses of the God who has called them. A priest in Christ models Jesus, who is our great High Priest (See Hebrews 7.)
     As Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter into the Holy Place in the temple, God has chosen you to be his living temple. In Christ you become God’s Holy Place! Zechariah submitted to his dutiful “lot in life”. He went to meet with God and pray for people. Will you submit to God and be his priest?
 
Prayer: Oh, thank you, Father for choosing me to be yours. Grant to me a holy reverence for my role as a priest for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Luke 1:5-7 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

LUKE makes several references to secular rulers during the time of Jesus’ life on earth. Herod is mentioned here. As an historian, Luke gives evidence to prove the story is not fantasy but has a place in history. This is a crucial aspect to our defense of Jesus’ life and the gospel as history.
     Then he introduces a husband and wife team very similar to Abraham and Sarah from Genesis. God had formed them to live in faith with him. “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
     Wow! Blameless before God, they are as good as people can be. But something was wrong in their marriage. To be childless was a serious problem in Israel. A marriage without a son was incomplete, seen by some as a curse. A son was vital to carry forward the father’s name, his land, and his work. But in God’s plan, Zechariah and Elizabeth were a vital part of the miracle story of Emmanuel, God come down.
     We’ll see how God demonstrated the transformational power of his gospel through this couple. New life comes to Zechariah and Elizabeth. From Elizabeth’s barren womb will come the last Old Testament prophet in their son, John.
     John will point to the first New Testament prophet, Jesus. God had revealed his plan throughout centuries of his prophets’ proclamations. Now he’s ready to break forth into the world in a new and wonderful way. Go to Luke 1 in your Bible and listen to their surprise, wonder and awe for God.
     Has God done a miraculous work in you? If you are saved in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, he has. If you are married and have children, he has. If you are alive and know of God, he has. In what other ways has God’s miracle work become known in your life? Be in joyous surprise, grateful awe and true wonder of God’s life work in your life. 
 
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, Son and Spirit for life and all the wondrous miracles you offer to me. In Jesus’ name I rejoice. Amen.  

Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
 
LUKE was a physician and an historian. He is a man of knowledge who sees the power of details. He wants to know what is right and tell what is right.  
     Before writing his gospel message of Jesus’ life, Luke has been experiencing Jesus in various ways. First, many think, he was with Jesus when Jesus commissioned the 72 disciples (see Luke 10). Luke also accompanied the Apostle Paul and help start churches. Luke recorded those journeys and much more of the early church in Acts. Luke has witnessed the gospel of grace transform lives. And he wants others to know.   
     That is why Luke wrote this gospel message. Luke is being a good disciple to tell the gospel to his friend. Surely Luke thought, “Theophilus needs to know about Jesus! He has asked to know. And so I will tell him all evidence I have to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind. How wonderful it would be if Theophilus would confess Jesus as Lord of his life.”
     Please remember as you read through these lessons that Luke is writing as an informed historian. He has personally experienced and witnessed Jesus’ transforming power. In addition, Luke has interviewed “eyewitnesses and servants of the Lord” to know their experiences with the risen Christ. Luke learned the details of Jesus’ life from Mary, the disciples and others who followed Jesus or opposed him. Then he told the evidence of Jesus to Theophilus and to the world.
     This is where our gospel journey begins. This gospel journey is to help grow your knowledge more deeply into God’s truth, so you, too, will become a more purposeful eyewitness of Jesus’ power in your own life. Prayerfully, knowing more of Jesus, we will all become better disciples. Our hearts and mouths will be eager to tell the truth of the Lord’s saving grace to those who have yet to believe.
 
Prayer: O Lord, teach me more of you, so I will be a faithful eyewitness to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.  
 
 
 

 Ephesians 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
 
OVER the past 14 months, we have looked at what I originally called the “Five E’s”. These “E’s” are the book of Ezekiel, the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, from 1 & 2 Kings, the book of Esther and Paul’s epistle, Ephesians. How could we summarize all of these teachings? In wondrous worship, we can say, “They teach us the remarkable truth that “by grace you have been saved through faith”.
    Ezekiel showed us this truth beginning with God’s great judgment against Judah’s sin. God sent his people into exile because they were “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.”  The Jews in Jerusalem and Judah lived, “dead in (their) transgressions and sins.” But by grace, God acted into their sins to promise he would save them from exile and return them to their homeland. Ezekiel moves from judgment to God’s promise of restoration and salvation.
    Elijah and Elisha ministered to Israel’s kings such as Ahab, who led their people to “follow the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient”. The prophets proclaimed God’s judgment on Israel’s transgressions. But by grace, God also used them to demonstrate his sovereign power to heal, redeem, restore and resurrect. Elijah’s and Elisha’s “miracle ministries” clearly pointed to the day God would come to make “us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”  
    In Esther we saw the evil men Haman and King Ahasuerus, who “were dead in transgressions” Their evil plot to exterminate the Jews represented Satan’s desire to destroy God’s people. But by grace, God used Esther and her cousin Mordecai to be saviors for their people. Esther is a preview of how “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” These faithful servants who seemed to possess no great knowledge of God also surely taught us that their faith was “not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” By grace, God saved his people’s lives to make you alive.
    Do you see, then, the wonder of the Bible? Here then, is Ephesians, in which Paul summarizes God’s plan and promise of salvation. He points us to the great problem: Mankind’s sin nature. Then Paul powerfully twice proclaims God’s solution to the sin, “By grace you have been saved.” By grace, you have become “God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Jesus has taken on the Father’s judgment against evil.
    Are you saved to eternal life in Christ? Be thankful for the entire Bible to demonstrate how God has been rich in mercy to save your eternal soul. Be in awe our Lord has acted through the ages to make you alive in Christ. You couldn’t and you can’t do this outside of the Holy Spirit’s power. All is from him. All is toward him. His promise for you is forever.
    Go and live in joy! By grace, he has made you one with God.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By your grace I am saved. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
 
PAUL ends his letter with essentially the same blessing with which he began. See Ephesians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Love is at the heart of this blessing, isn’t it? Peace comes when we love God and one another. With this vertical and horizontal love, we will imitate God, who is love. Peace results from our one Father and one Lord Jesus as they acted to atone for – to pay for - sin’s deadly conflict in our souls. In Jesus’ loving sacrifice, we have the power and the wisdom to live “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2) Our souls, then, come to rest our Lord’s blessing, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) In God’s grace, his peace is forever in you. In God’s grace, you live in peace with the one body, Jesus’ church, under one Spirit.  
    Now we know this wonderful vision for Jesus’ church isn’t the way it really is. As people with various skills, knowledge and understanding of God, we don’t always agree about how to “do church” do we? Knowing God’s grace and his peace will, though, be the fruit of the church if we will keep our eyes set on God’s gracious design and purpose for each person. In godly peace, submissive to our Lord, we will work through our differences. We will encourage and strengthen each other. We will pray with and for each person called by our one Lord. Loving our Lord, we are reminded of his extraordinary grace to save us. In response, our hearts will worship and “love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”
     “Undying love” – consider that for a minute or two. “Undying love” means your peace in Jesus never stops.  
   
Prayer: Oh Lord, how can I ever thank you for the peace you have given my soul? Grant my heart love and joy that I will experience your peace this day. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.