Category: What then will this child be? Luke 1:66

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:57-66, 80; Matthew 3:1-12 I’ve read this Christmas story more times than I can count, but just recently did I notice a fourth question in this chapter. The people asked: What then will this child be? Of course, they were referring to John the Baptist, probably because of the unusual events surrounding his birth: Born to elderly[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:46-55, 68-79 Luke 1 records two songs—one sung by Mary and the other sung by Zechariah. Notice when the songs were sung. Mary burst forth with her praise before the babies were born. Zechariah didn’t (couldn’t) sing until after the birth of John. It’s one thing to thank the Lord after the fact. But, it’s quite another[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:39-45, Ephesians 4:1 Angels have such cool jobs, don’t they? They get to announce news—like “Guess who’s pregnant!” Now being pregnant is exciting. But, relatives pregnant at the same time is doubly exciting. No sooner did the angel leave her home when Mary took off to see Elizabeth, who by this time was in her sixth month.[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:19, Isaiah 7:14 After Gabriel’s encounter with Zechariah, he was sent on another mission to give the good news to Mary that she would become the mother of God’s Son. What a difference in the two angelic encounters. While the old priest was stunned and skeptical, young Mary remained calm—almost as if she was expecting[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:13-18; Proverbs 18:21 When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he assured him that his prayer for a child would finally be answered. Then the angel gave a beautiful description of the life Zechariah’s son would live. Who wouldn’t want a prophetic word about your future child? What a gift the angel gave him. Instead of rejoicing over[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:5-12 Zechariah was the priest on duty at the temple. Although scripture states he was chosen “by lot,” the appearance of the angel was no chance meeting. It was a divine appointment. Zechariah was performing his routine priestly duties in the temple—a place where one would assume the Lord’s Presence would be evident. Yet scripture states the[…]

Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:1-80 Some stories in scripture are very familiar—particularly the Christmas and the Easter stories. Those of us who were raised in the church have heard decades-worth of accounts of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As wonderful as that may sound, we might need to be a bit cautious, because the familiar can lose its appeal.[…]