I just reread Luke and for the first time discovered how information packed that book is. In just the first chapter, it laces two birth announcements with a bucket full of evidence on the babes to be born. For
example, he shows that:
1. John’s birth was special in that his parents had been unsuccessfully trying to have a child for
years and John was only conceived to fill God’s special purpose.
2. John’s mission was given by God, just like his name.
3. John’s mission was to make the way ready for the Christ.
4. John couldn’t be the Christ because he was born of earthly parents from the tribe of Levi.
Similarly, Mary’s child could be the Christ because:
1. His mother was a virgin and God was his father
2. His mother was of the tribe of David. (So was his step father although he had nothing to do with the birth, but the neighbors would know Jesus was from David’s tribe.)
3. Jesus would start teaching after John who was at least 6 months older.
4. The child was named Jesus by God.
5. He would eclipse John because his kingdom will never end.
It’s writing like this, where rather than state it clearly, the evidence is clearly and succinctly presented. That’s why God wants Christians to be thinkers.
example, he shows that:
1. John’s birth was special in that his parents had been unsuccessfully trying to have a child for
years and John was only conceived to fill God’s special purpose.
2. John’s mission was given by God, just like his name.
3. John’s mission was to make the way ready for the Christ.
4. John couldn’t be the Christ because he was born of earthly parents from the tribe of Levi.
Similarly, Mary’s child could be the Christ because:
1. His mother was a virgin and God was his father
2. His mother was of the tribe of David. (So was his step father although he had nothing to do with the birth, but the neighbors would know Jesus was from David’s tribe.)
3. Jesus would start teaching after John who was at least 6 months older.
4. The child was named Jesus by God.
5. He would eclipse John because his kingdom will never end.
It’s writing like this, where rather than state it clearly, the evidence is clearly and succinctly presented. That’s why God wants Christians to be thinkers.