Jesus Christ the LORD

The Glories of our Lord in the Gospel by Luke

Doctor Luke presents much detail surrounding the life of Jesus – external evidence and internal evidence. It would seem as though he interviewed many people and then correlated the biography of Jesus in chronological order. This includes dates, rulers and places that have been ratified by archaeologists and history.

The account of an angel appearing to Mary is most significant. It tells of heaven’s involvement in the appearing of Jesus and the character of the child to be born.

The record of His birth brings in many different persons as witnesses – Angels, Shepherds, Simeon, Anna etc.

Luke records the incident in the Temple when the boy Jesus astounds the doctors of law with His questions.

Again Luke gives much detail about the adult life of Jesus. His baptism,  His temptation in the wilderness by the devil, His visit to Nazareth where he was rejected. He moved to Capernaum, where the people praised Him, but the Lord Jesus moved on to the many villages around the sea of Galilee. Over and again He is presented as the dependant man, who spent much time in prayer to God. His journeys were marked by compassion for the needy. His words brought life and hope to perishing people. He was seen as one who was not obsessed with money, but instead gave much, even Himself for others.

The glorious Names attributed to Him by Gabriel remained ever true, but  His claim to be the Messiah was vindicated by His humble service to God and mankind. Miracles He did for others. Recovering the lost was His priority.

In His connections with His disciples He was both demanding and compassionate. Taking up the cross to follow Him was fundamental, and yet as He understood how fickle they could be, He showed love and forgiveness.

Luke takes us deep into the holy suffering of His sensitive soul as in the garden of Gethsemane  where He prays in agony. The perfect man (the last Adam), is seen to understand the pain of rejection and crucifixion. The record of the cross is graphic and the grief real.

The end – a man who did not fail,  now raised up from death to be seated at God’s right hand, honoured at the highest place in heaven.

Read the account of Luke for yourself. If you have no Bible, send me an email - I have spares

johnmckee@internode.on.net

Must

You MUST be born again (born from above) 
                                   John 3.7

Even so MUST the Son of Man be lifted up  (on a cross)
                                      John 3.14

He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease  (The Lord preeminent )
                                           John 3.30

Reading the Bible

John Wesley, who here makes six key practical points:

If you desire to read the Scriptures in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,

(1) To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose?

(2) At each time, if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old and one out of the New Testament; if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?

(3) To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixed resolution to do it?

In order to know His will, you should,

(4) Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith, the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, original sin, justification by faith, the new birth, inward and outward holiness;

(5) Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used before we consult the oracles of God; seeing ‘Scripture can only be understood through the same Spirit whereby it was given.’ Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts;

(6) It might also be of use, if, while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts and lives….

And whatever light you then receive should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.