Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
– Luke 1:1 ESV

GREEK
πεπληροφορημένων/peplērophorēmenōn: have been fully completed

CONSIDER
As we start off a new series and begin our time in the Gospel of Luke, it doesn’t take long for us to encounter the unexpected. Although Jesus ministered primarily to Jewish people in a relatively small region, our author Luke was likely an uncircumcised Greek man and only non-Jewish New Testament writer. But as surprising as that is, Luke also immediately includes himself as one of those who had a front-row seat to Jesus’ work. The first words of his gospel state, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that peplērophorēmenōn (have been fully completed) among us.” So what is a Hellenistic Greek doctor doing among the ranks of Jesus’ followers?  Luke uses a verb that indicates finality and completion. In other words, this good news is something that has already been finished without anything needing to be added. He recognized that the message of Jesus the Messiah had profound relevance for the Jew and the Gentile alike. As an educated man, Luke was disinterested in mere opinion or speculation; his aim was to use eyewitness evidence to confirm the truth of Christ. As he did the work of developing this account, he was not only convinced that the prophecies of the Messiah peplērophorēmenōn in Jesus, but he also worked with men like Paul and Mark – other writers of the New Testament – who were transformed by the gospel. The Bible never asks us to check our brains at the door before we believe it! Luke promises that Jesus will amaze us with the unexpected as we honestly pursue the truth of who he is.

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How will I pursue Biblical literacy?

it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
– Luke 1:3 ESV

GREEK
καθεξῆς/kathexēs: an account with method; methodically

CONSIDER
Certain professionals who work with trauma victims have taken to an 18-step healing method known as The Completion Process. Those looking to build a personal brand for themselves can follow Brand Master Academy’s 21-step process to do so. Hoping for new financial partners to advise? The publication Advisor Perspectives once proposed a 40-step plan to bring on a new client. The point is simply this: just about anything can be turned into a complicated “one size fits all” procedure. But when that procedure is prized over the people it is designed to help, it often sabotages its own success.
When Luke compiled his gospel narrative for Theophilus, it seemed good to him to not simply compose a collection of random stories but to write kathexēs(an account with method; methodically) to him. Luke is the only New Testament writer to use this unique adjective. It pertains specifically to how things are organized, with an emphasis on order that may or may not be chronological. His goal was to structure his account in a way that was clear, well-arranged, and logical for Theophilus to understand. His goal in writing kathexēs was to simplify the profound, not to force Theophilus into a complex one-size-fits-all system. As we embark on a journey of gospel discovery through Luke, our prayer is that the Spirit of God will do the same for each of us, and that the structure of this gospel will cause us to see the beauty of Jesus’ work in a personal way.

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How will I pursue Biblical literacy?

that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
– Luke 1:4 ESV

GREEK
ἀσφάλειαν/asphaleian: firmness, lit. not-tottering security

CONSIDER
To the average person, the notion that traces of iron would be found in their home’s foundation might bring some comfort. Iron is strong, sturdy, and long-lasting. But when an iron sulfide mineral known as Pyrrhotite is found to be used in the concrete of a home’s foundation, the results can be catastrophic. Why? Because Pyrrhotite reacts chemically to water and oxygen, causing the concrete it is found in to crack and crumble. It was once used as a cheap filler to mix in with crushed stone for making concrete. Now, thousands of homes in the United States have accrued lofty repair costs since the best way to deal with Pyrrhotite damage is to lift the home and replace the foundation entirely.
As a gospel writer, Luke’s reason for being so orderly and detailed was “that you may have asphaleian (firmness, lit. not-tottering security) concerning the things you have been taught.” The accounts he shared were meticulously studied, and interviews with eyewitnesses were thorough and brimming with detail. Luke did not want Theophilus – or any of us – to rest on a foundation that was anything but solid. In fact, asphaleian is a noun that literally translates to not tottering. As we traverse the pages of Luke’s gospel, we will not encounter “cheap filler” stories or anecdotes that do little to stir our faith. Instead, Luke gets to the heart of the gospel of amazement and simply allows the truth of Jesus to form the bedrock of faith.

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How will I pursue Biblical literacy?

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
– Luke 1:1 ESV

GREEK
πεπληροφορημένων/peplērophorēmenōn: have been fully completed

CONSIDER
Championship teams don’t earn their spot in history by being complacent. Athletes will be the first to admit that natural talent alone is not enough to make it to the top. Grit, preparation, and a relentless pursuit of shared goals must be present in order to lift the trophy. And yet, when they do win it all, there isn’t a single member of the team who doesn’t seem shocked. As much as they may have believed they could do it, their reactions often look like achieving such a rare feat was completely unexpected.
Something similar took place in the life of a faithful priest named Zechariah. He was a righteous man who walked blamelessly before the Lord and served him in the temple, but whose prayers for a child seemingly went unanswered. So when God sent an angel to proclaim that, despite their age, his wife Elizabeth would be having a baby, we might expect Zechariah to be prepared to meet the divine messenger with gratitude. Here was a priest whose name means “Yahweh has remembered” and who worked in the Temple – the very place where the reality of Heaven overlapped with the substance of Earth. Instead, “Zechariah etarachthē (was agitated; was stirred up inside) when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.” Despite his expectations, his faith in what was possible, his character, and his calling, Zechariah still was caught off guard when God revealed himself to be present. He etarachthē internally and responded with fearful disbelief externally. Prayer is our mechanism for inviting Heaven into our world, and Jesus encourages us to pray without doubting God’s provision (Mark 11:23-24). Zechariah’s story reminds us that what he provides always aligns with our needs, even if it doesn’t necessarily arrive the way we want.

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What area of my life will I trust God to be present?

and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
– Luke 1:17 ESV

GREEK
κατεσκευασμένον/kateskeuasmenon: sculpted with a tool to make perfectly ready for use

CONSIDER
What area of my life will I trust God to be present? Whatever area the Spirit brings to mind will inevitably require growth. Maybe it’s an area of success that God wants to leverage more fully for his glory. It could be a pain point or an area of unfulfilled potential that God’s presence needs to heal. No matter the situation, it’s refreshing to know that we can trust God to both provide his Spirit and supply his power! Spirit and power are linked in both the Old and New Testaments, and today’s verse connects them as well. Luke relays the angelic message spoken to Zechariah about his future son this way: “And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people kateskeuasmenon (sculpted with a tool to make perfectly ready for use).” This unique word is often used in situations in which a skilled craftsman would create an object and finalize it for use. Peter uses a variation of it to describe Noah’s Ark being finalized to God’s exact specifications so that creation would be spared. And here we have a priest who has been praying for years for God to be present in his desire for a child. So to hear that his son will be used to make people kateskeuasmenon for the Lord might have caused Zechariah to swell with misplaced pride. It was the Spirit himself who empowered Elijah’s ministry (see 1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:1-18), meaning that the Holy Spirit alone was responsible for John leading people to be prepared for the Lord’s coming. The same rings true for any area of our life in which we’re trusting God to be present. His presence goes hand in hand with his power, and that reality can be creatively leveraged in our lives to sculpt the finished product we’ve been praying for.

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What area of my life will I trust God to be present?

“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
– Luke 1:25 ESV

GREEK
ὄνειδός/oneidos: personal disgrace; loss of reputation

CONSIDER
Just about every culture in the world has a set of unwritten social rules that, if not followed, will lead to one being considered an outcast. In Brazil, it’s rude to stand far apart while in conversation. In Nigeria, it’s considered disrespectful to look a superior in the eye. In China, it’s taboo to ask personal questions of acquaintances. When these unwritten rules aren’t followed, embarrassment, shock, and even being ostracized by others can result, even though no ill-will was intended.
But modern cultural expectations are nothing compared to the world in which Elizabeth lived. The unwritten rules extended far beyond what a person did, and applied to situations beyond one’s control. For years Elizabeth was unable to conceive a child, and despite her prayers for a baby, she nonetheless was likely dismissed, disrespected, and dishonored by those around her. Her barrenness would have been seen as a sign that she was being punished by the God she worshiped. So when she discovered she was pregnant, Elizabeth quickly responded in worship, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my oneidos (personal disgrace; loss of reputation) among people.” Not only does this Greek word indicate that Elizabeth had a reversal of social reputation because of God’s work, it implies that her whole identity was changed! This is a singular noun in the accusative case, which makes oneidos incredibly personal. In other words, Elizabeth is saying that the shame and reproach that cut her to the core of who she was has been dealt with by the very One who was assumed to be punishing her. This faith-filled woman’s experience with the unexpected tenderness of God was only heightened by the long years of pain she had to endure. The unwritten rules of life may not be fair, but the presence of God is enough to undo any false narrative we are tempted to believe.

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What area of my life will I trust God to be present?

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
– Luke 1:28 ESV

GREEK
κεχαριτωμένη/kecharitōmenē: you who are bestowed with grace

CONSIDER
It would have been easy for the President to walk away from it all. Mired in a bloody Civil War, America was growing weary, and so was Abraham Lincoln. He felt regret for his perceived role in the War and sorrow for the price that Americans had paid because of it. General Grant invited Lincoln to spend time away from his office for a change in perspective, and on this trip, he was presented with the opportunity to visit wounded soldiers at a field hospital. Now, one might think that an activity like this would enhance Lincoln’s stress and guilt, but instead, the trip proved to strengthen the President’s determination. He was able to hear stories of bravery from soldiers who believed in the mission of freedom no matter the cost, and was bolstered by their willingness to pay that price. What could have easily been seen as an ill-timed interruption for a burned-out leader actually became an unexpected source of encouragement and emboldened him to run for a second term in office.
Upon seeing the angel Gabriel in front of her, Mary could have easily assumed that her life was coming to an end. She was likely confused, petrified, and panicked all at the same time. So Gabriel’s first words to Mary upon visiting her were important for him to communicate: “Greetings, kecharitōmenē (you who are bestowed with grace), the Lord is with you!” Rather than his arrival being punitive in nature, Gabriel was there to pronounce the blessing of God’s presence and call on her life. The Greek verb that Gabriel used to describe Mary indicated that she wasn’t chosen for this assignment because of what she had done, but because of what the Lord had done in her. Kecharitōmenē is derived from the word for grace and literally describes one whom God has placed grace onto. And as special as Mary’s calling was, the only other time in the New Testament that a form of this verb was used is Ephesians 1:6, where Paul said that all believers have this grace infused into their lives when they come to Jesus! Through Christ, all who believe are highly favored and can learn to find God’s hand of kindness in the most unexpected places.

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Where will I take a step of faith in my spiritual journey?

For nothing will be impossible with God.
– Luke 1:37 ESV

GREEK
ἀδυνατήσει/adynatēsei: will be a point of weakness

CONSIDER
No one would blame her for being skeptical. By human standards, the situation that the messenger said would come to pass was physically impossible. Despite her best efforts to comprehend it all, the miracle of her pregnancy forced her to trust the Lord in an identity-shaping way.
The fact that we’re studying the book of Luke might lead us to assume that the woman in question is Mary, the mother of Jesus. And while she does fit this description, the person referred to above is actually Abraham’s wife Sarah. But that’s not where the comparisons stop between these two women of faith. Both are also told of a very specific characteristic of God, with Mary hearing nearly verbatim what Sarah heard: For nothing adynatēsei (will be a point of weakness) with God. When Gabriel spoke this to Mary, he was essentially quoting the Lord’s words to Sarah in Genesis 18 after she laughed at the idea that she would become pregnant at 90 years old. One woman wasn’t convinced that the Lord could revitalize an aged body, while the other pondered how the Messiah would be born of a virgin. For us today, it may be tempting to assume that although God is strong enough to do the impossible, he generally isn’t concerned about our specific situation. Compared to two women whose trust in the Lord influenced generations of Christ-followers, our current reality may seem trivial and insignificant. However, that stance also implies a point of weakness – a weakness of the Lord’s character, desire, or compassion toward his people. But the same God who commanded the unexpected in these women looked out at humanity and declared that we were worth the highest price imaginable! His Son Jesus endured the cross on our behalf, showcasing his extravagant love and proving that nothing will be a point of weakness with God.

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Where will I take a step of faith in my spiritual journey?

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
– Luke 1:37 ESV

GREEK
δούλη/doulē: one who gives herself completely to the will

CONSIDER
There are few things that create a bigger interruption in life than having a baby. Even on rare occasions when the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn stage all go according to plan, that precious little child seems to turn everything upside down. Now imagine how much life would change for a woman who had no reason to believe that she could be pregnant in the first place. As Mary pondered the implications of the message Gabriel spoke to her, she responded by saying, “Behold, I am the doulē (one who gives herself completely to the will) of the Lord.” Just as a slave was only able to do the will of their master, so Mary asserts that she would be willing to do all that the Lord required. This was a dangerous declaration for a betrothed Hebrew woman; not only was Joseph well within his rights to walk away from the relationship, but Jewish law even allowed for her stoning since adultery would have been assumed. With all this in mind, to call herself the doulē of the Lord wasn’t simply a nice sentiment, it was one of the most dangerous and courageous things any person could say. Of course, we won’t receive the assignment that Mary did, but when our attitude toward God’s interruptions in our lives matches that of the Mother of Jesus, the next step in our spiritual journey will be met with the strength that only he provides.

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Where will I take a step of faith in my spiritual journey?

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
– Luke 1:46 ESV

GREEK
mεγαλύνει/megalynei: keeps on enlarging the reality and character of

CONSIDER
Franciscan Friar and scholar Roger Bacon didn’t invent magnification, but he’s credited with designing the first magnifying glass specifically used for scientific purposes. Around the year 1250, Bacon took two convex glass lenses and put them back to back, thus improving on the optic principles that societies had relied on for centuries. His magnifying glass was built to be something to look beyond in order to focus on what the glass was positioned near. Obviously, Roger Bacon’s achievement was not to develop a way to physically enlarge an object; he merely discovered a better way to study an object more closely.
This concept is nearly identical to the truth that Mary communicated in today’s verse. Her song of worship began with the phrase, “My soul megalynei (keeps on enlarging the reality and character of) the Lord.” Mary was certainly not implying that she was partnering with God to grow his strength or renown on earth. Because this Greek word is a present active participle, Mary was announcing that her soul was engaging in a habitual act! It was as if she was singing that her soul kept on enlarging the character and reality of the Lord, regardless of the highs and lows that she experienced in life. The Lord needed no help becoming more grand or mighty, but Mary’s soul was positioned in such a way that others could clearly and continually study that reality. Our worship has the ability to do the same thing in any context we place ourselves in today. As we posture our souls in a way that megalynei the Lord, may those in our spheres of influence see beyond our act of worship and into the compassionate heart of God.

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This is what worship will look like in my life this week…

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
– Luke 1:47 ESV

GREEK
ἠγαλλίασεν/ēgalliasen: is moved to leap for joy

CONSIDER
On their first date, Jack Hyer knew he had met his future wife. He also knew that “popping the question” on their first date was not a wise choice, so he quickly developed an idea. As part of an elaborate proposal plan, Hyer began video recording himself lip-syncing to the song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. Over the next four years, those videos were filmed while traveling through twenty-six countries around the world. Thankfully, all that planning and hard work paid off, and when he finally showed his girlfriend Becca the video, she happily agreed to marry him.
Throughout history, people have gone to great lengths to show their affection for other people because positive emotions stir us to action. Jack Hyer could have proposed in a more traditional manner and may have even gotten the same response, but the lengths he went to to put his love on display authenticated his feelings on a whole other level. This is the sentiment that Mary expressed with the phrase, “My spirit ēgalliasen (is moved to leap for joy) in God my Savior.” This word is made up of two other words that, when combined, literally mean to jump excessively in celebration. Mary was not content to merely say words to convey her feelings; the active verb she used was designed to focus on her response to God’s salvation! Her spirit experienced the goodness of God, and it stirred her to action throughout her life. Authentic worship is far more than the words we say; it must also include a response in our spirit to what the Savior has done on our behalf.

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This is what worship will look like in my life this week…

for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
– Luke 1:49 ESV

GREEK
δυνατός/dynatos: the one with whom anything is possible

CONSIDER
David had a problem that only worship could solve. He felt compelled to build an altar so he could sacrifice to God in the midst of a plague. The spot on which he wanted to build was owned by a man named Araunah, who offered to cover the entire cost of the altar project. But in 2 Samuel 24:24, David insisted that a bargain sacrifice would not be true worship. He told Araunah that he was compelled to buy it at full cost because he refused to offer God a sacrifice that cost him nothing.
As we consider what worship will look like in our lives this week, it will be important to consider what authentic worship might cost us as well. After hearing what Gabriel had to say about her future, Mary contemplated the same thing. She concluded that she was the servant of the Lord (v. 38), which implied that she was willing to count the cost and give him all that was necessary. But both King David and Mary were able to articulate being ok with sacrificial worship because of their intimate awareness of God’s character. Mary’s song included the truth that “dynatos (the one with whom anything is possible) has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” There are many who are strong, mighty, or powerful, but Mary’s declaration that God is dynatos reveals a strength far beyond these adjectives. A variation of this word is translated as “possible,” so we see Mary acknowledging God as the One who has done the impossible in her! The beauty of Mary’s sacrifice is that when she offered her whole life in worship to dynatos, God offered to display his gentle and merciful character through her. May we resist the urge to fixate on what we can do for God in worship and instead lean into an awareness of who he is.

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This is what worship will look like in my life this week…

And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
– Luke 1:58 ESV

GREEK
συνέχαιρον/synechairon: they mutually participated in God’s grace with

CONSIDER
All it took for golf professional Bryan Skavnak’s life to change was to put a putter in the hands of an 8-year-old. Skavnak offered to give a sparkly gold golf ball to anyone who could putt another ball into it from 30 yards away. The determined boy tried for what seemed like an hour with no success. Finally, he was able to glance his ball off of the brightly colored one, which sent him into a celebratory frenzy. Skavnak rejoiced with the boy, and together, they cheered, laughed, and jumped for joy. But then, the boy curiously made a bee-line for his younger brother and handed him the very ball he had just won. The eight-year-old knew how much his brother had wanted to win the ball, but he also knew that because of his age and skill level, his brother would never win it on his own. The joy experienced was because the boy got to give something meaningful away! Bryan Skavnak saw the impact that serving each other in kindness had, and it led him to begin a national campaign called Be the Nice Kid to encourage compassion and selflessness.
When Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive, his context was larger than giving physical or monetary gifts. Giving intangibles like empathy, encouragement, and even emotional support can go a long way toward building community. Elizabeth’s community had heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and synechairon (they mutually participated in God’s grace with) her. Much like the exuberance that both brothers had when the older won the golden ball for the younger, Elizabeth’s family and neighbors all participated in and benefitted from the grace given to her by the Lord. The joy of celebrating God’s grace as a community is that we all receive that joy, even if we are not directly receiving the gift. Intentionally celebrating with our community, then, is an act of giving that benefits everyone involved.

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How will I intentionally celebrate with my community this week?

And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
– Luke 1:63 ESV

GREEK
ἐθαύμασαν πάντες/ethaumasan pantes: they were each astonished out of their senses

CONSIDER
Like many historic and cultural works, the reasons why the Mona Lisa is so beloved have shifted over time. At first, its popularity could be attributed to its famous creator Leonardo DaVinci. As time went on, its allure was accredited to the fact that it represented Renaissance art in an iconic way. In the 20th century, the Mona Lisa was stolen, which made headlines worldwide in a new media age and sparked renewed interest in her. Regardless of the reason, the Mona Lisa is arguably the most important and recognizable piece of art in our world today. So it seems a bit odd that more and more people are expressing their disappointment in seeing the painting. Patrons of the Louvre have increasingly complained that their expectations were not met when they stood in front of the Mona Lisa, because it is smaller and less vibrant than they expected. And although the painting is the most visited exhibit in the most visited museum in the world, it turns out the excitement of being in its presence isn’t shared by all.
When a group of people gather together, there are few things that everyone in the crowd agrees on. We experience the world in different ways, which gives us each a unique perspective on things. So it’s astounding to note the adjective and verb combination that Luke uses in today’s verse to describe the crowd’s reaction to Zechariah. Not only does he note that every person there shared the same reaction to his writing “his name is John” by using the Greek word pantes(every last part of a group), but Luke also combined it with the active verb ethaumasan (they were astonished out of their senses). Zechariah’s neighbors and family members each recognized the miraculous nature of the events surrounding John’s birth, and it caused them to be awestruck by it. What does that mean for us today? In an ever-polarized world, it’s the clear and obvious work of God that can propel us toward unity (see John 17:21). And like Zechariah, when we prioritize seeing His will accomplished above our own, the unity that results can be leveraged to joyfully celebrate what God is accomplishing in our community.

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How will I intentionally celebrate with my community this week?

and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
– Luke 1:66 ESV

GREEK
ἔθεντο/ethento: fixed them persistently

CONSIDER
Centerway’s Because and Therefore statement about God risks reads, “Because God sees what we can’t we value GOD-RISKS therefore we respond when God speaks, pursue efforts that require supernatural intervention to succeed, and – while we aren’t irresponsible – we resist the comfort zone and don’t maintain or play it safe out of fear.”
We are compelled to take bold steps of faith because God has a perspective that we don’t have! This certainly doesn’t give us a license to do anything we want, but it can serve as a healthy reminder to keep our eyes open for the miraculous. When Elizabeth and Zechariah’s family and friends witnessed God’s miraculous power in Zechariah’s life, they pondered its significance in such a way that they, “ethento (fixed them persistently) in their hearts.” The Greek verb used by Luke here summarizes a past event, so this group of people was intently focused on what the Lord had done throughout their entire experience with this couple. They were left transfixed on what their son John was to become because they recognized God held a perspective they couldn’t possibly have. For us, taking any risk in the name of Jesus may seem like a noble and worthy task, but without spending proper time meditating on what the Spirit of God is up to, we could be in danger of stepping out with only our own limited resources to sustain us. Today’s verse can serve as a poignant reminder that the fuel for taking God risks is ignited as we persistently fix our hearts on the miracle of the gospel, the work of the Spirit, and all that God has done for us.

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How will I intentionally celebrate with my community this week?

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
– Luke 1:68 ESV

GREEK
ἐπεσκέψατο/epeskepsato: He has drawn close enough to inspect

CONSIDER
Doesn’t it seem like skepticism is the default outlook of most people these days? The Pew Research Center records that Americans are more skeptical of the news media than ever before, and a New York Times survey found that our trust in medical professionals is at an all-time low. And while there are many opinions as to why this is, there is no shortage of experts who believe that a major cause is how easy it is to communicate information and share opinions. In short, because we have access to anyone’s unedited thoughts at our fingertips, people in the 21st century are more apt to pick and choose ideas without sensing the need to fact-check. We no longer inspect truth claims for truth because technology provides the illusion of proximity to those we consider to be trustworthy.
But when Zechariah’s tongue was loosed and he began to worship the Lord, he blessed the God of Israel “for epeskepsato (he has drawn close enough to inspect) and redeemed his people.” The Greek verb used here is closely related to the word from where we get the English noun skeptic because a skeptic is a person who (theoretically) has drawn close enough to study and inspect the facts surrounding an event. Prophetically, Zechariah was awed by the truth that God wasn’t content to have a “hands-off” approach to life. Instead, the Lord drew near enough to his people to inspect their areas of need, yet was gentle and loving enough to redeem those areas. His steadfast obedience to the will of his Father put Jesus in close proximity to humanity, which gave him the ability to meet our most pressing needs. The truth that epeskepsato and redeemed his people is powerful enough to make even the most outspoken skeptic recognize God’s goodness in their life.

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With whom will I share the story of God’s goodness in my life?

that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
– Luke 1:71 ESV

GREEK
μισούντων/misountōn: justify treating [us] with disdain

CONSIDER
In the book of Genesis we read the story of Abram and Sarai, who God had promised would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Knowing that she was past child-bearing age, Sarai foolishly offered her female servant Hagar to Abram, who foolishly accepted the offer. Hagar became pregnant, and Sarai was so displeased with the outcome that she sent Hagar and her son Ishmael out into the wilderness to die. In their day, this was an accepted practice; an “owner” could essentially treat their servant however they chose because, in just about every category, that person was considered to be lesser than their master. Abram and Sarai’s actions were motivated by hatred, but it’s likely that their actions would not be considered hateful.
Of course, in our modern world, we would never let a situation like this happen if we could help it. We hold the conviction that all people have worth and deserve respect. Reading Genesis can cause us to quickly cast judgment on Sarai for her lack of empathy. But if we’re honest with ourselves, there’s a chance that our sphere of influence contains those with whom we’ve grown accustomed to treating poorly as well. It’s easy to justify disparaging someone who opposes our political viewpoint or who is vying for the same promotion as we are. However, today’s verse reminds us that God is in the business of rescuing people in those situations! Zechariah worships by declaring, “that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who misountōn (justify treating with disdain) us.“ This verb has ties to the same Greek word as the prefix for both misogyny (hating females) and misanthrope (hating people), two words that we use when describing anyone who justifies their hatred of others. On one hand, we have reason to celebrate because God has rescued us from those who wish us to suffer the same fate that Hagar was intended to suffer. Yet on the other hand we are reminded of how good God is for exposing that attitude within our own hearts and rescuing us from the consequences of our own sin. Because Jesus was willing to put himself in a situation where he experienced misountōn he didn’t deserve, we can now be redeemed from and forgiven for that same attitude in our lives.

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With whom will I share the story of God’s goodness in my life?

because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
– Luke 1:78 ESV

GREEK
σπλάγχνα ἐλέους/splanchna eleous: gut-level, deep compassion

CONSIDER
Just about all of us have a story of a time when we’ve trusted our gut and it has paid off. Maybe it involves taking a successful financial risk, switching careers, or even agreeing to a date with someone who turned out to be “the one.” Regardless of the situation, it’s likely we can relate to the idea that there are moments when our decisions are based on something more than cognition. Nutritionists have discovered that our gut instincts are more closely linked to our brains than previously realized. The gut microbiome and the brain are connected through the gut-brain axis, a network of nerves, proteins, and chemicals that send messages between the two. Scientists, philosophers, and sociologists are currently grappling with the possibility that there is more to crafting thoughts and ideas than simply using our brains to do so.
As this prophecy draws to a close, Luke highlights the reality that Zechariah’s son John will point to One who will save God’s people and forgive their sins. He says this will happen, “because of the σπλάγχνα ἐλέους (gut-level, deep compassion) of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high.” Luke is quick to show that salvation isn’t something that God reluctantly allows for unlovable humanity; at the deepest and most instinctive level, God’s compassion will be on display through the Savior! Zechariah was an old man who had been waiting decades for God to rescue his people, and throughout those decades the plight of Israel as a whole did not seem to get any better. It would have been easy to assume that God was either frustrated with or angry at an undeserving nation. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah relays the message of hope through the Messiah who was about to embody the σπλάγχνα ἐλέους compassion of God. Regardless of what our situation may currently look like, when we recognize that the cross of Christ is a gut-level response of compassion for humanity, we won’t be able to keep from sharing the story of God’s goodness in our lives.

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With whom will I share the story of God’s goodness in my life?

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
– Luke 2:10 ESV

GREEK
χαρὰν μεγάλην/charan megalēn: mega joy, supersized delight

CONSIDER
As a 2nd-century lawyer, Tertullian was really good at being rational. He lived in Carthage, an African city on the Western fringes of the Roman Empire, and as such made worship of the Emperor part of his daily routine. After all, he argued, burning a pinch of incense was a small thing compared to the death penalty that resulted from refusing to do so. But it was the irrational joy on the faces of men and women who were martyred for their faith in Christ that caused Tertullian to drop everything and follow Jesus. These people should have been filled with fear when facing the lions in the arena or the stakes at which they would be burned, but all he could see was their delight in experiencing what was on the other side of their situation. Tertullian spent the last decades of his life proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, and his writings helped shape doctrine as Christianity spread beyond the Roman world.
For Tertullian, the joy that the Gospel brought made little sense because it transcended a person’s everyday life experiences. But that is exactly the message that an angel proclaimed to a group of shepherds in today’s verse. The angel told them “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of charan megalēn (mega joy, supersized delight) that will be for all the people.” The qualifier megalēn connected to the Greek word for joy indicates a delight so big that it goes beyond what can be produced through natural means. In other words, the angel announced news that was so huge no earthly circumstances could produce it or squelch it! The fact that Jesus entered our world to bring salvation and reconcile us to God is so enormous that we have a reason to celebrate regardless of what we may face. May we take the time to focus on this eternal truth, even in the midst of our temporary challenges.

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When will I set aside time to focus on what God is doing in my life?

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
– Luke 2:12 ESV

GREEK
σημεῖον/sēmeion: supernatural proof

CONSIDER
Just about all of us can relate to finding money in unexpected places. Whether it’s cash in the pocket of a jacket that was stored for the summer, or some bills that have been pushed to the back of a random drawer, the feeling of discovering unexpected funds can be quite satisfying. Back in 2017, a Canadian man had this experience as well, but on a level none of us can relate to. Forgetting that he hid the inheritance from his parent’s death inside his television set, this man gave the TV to his friend, who shortly thereafter dropped it off at a recycling center. The recyclers were accustomed to finding strange things inside old TV consoles, but weren’t sure what to do when they discovered the stacks of $50 bills. Amazingly, the recycling center worked with local authorities to return the money to its original owner without losing a single penny!
As the angel proclaimed the birth of Jesus the Messiah to the shepherds who were watching their flocks nearby, he understood that they would needsēmeion (supernatural proof) of its authenticity. This Greek noun always indicates an act that only God can perform and for which he should always receive glory. So he foretold that the baby in question would be found in a most unexpected place. The shepherds may have found a few babies wrapped in swaddling clothes when entering Bethlehem, but no doubt only one would have been lying in an animal’s food trough. Could it be that God sometimes allows us to experience the unexpected or improbable in order to act as sēmeion that he is at work? When we intentionally set aside time to focus on what God is up to, not only will we find opportunities to bring him glory, but we may just be surprised and encouraged by what he shows us.

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When will I set aside time to focus on what God is doing in my life?

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
– Luke 2:19 ESV

GREEK
συμβάλλουσα/symballousa: tossing ideas around, throwing these things around

CONSIDER
When will I set aside time to focus on what God is doing in my life? If we’re not careful, we could easily mistake this question for being simply an intellectual exercise. But if we think that all we need is an empty room and an empty mind to properly focus on the work of the Lord in our lives, we may be missing out on all that today’s verse can teach us. Luke contrasts the reaction of wonder from those who heard the shepherd’s story with the response of Mary: “But Mary treasured up all these things, symballousa (tossing ideas around) in her heart.” This Greek word is a present verb in the active voice, indicating continuing action that is happening in present time. It’s also a compound word connecting “together” and “throw.” So rather than simply using her mind to acknowledge that the shepherds had communicated interesting information, Mary actively tossed around in her mind the many profound implications of that information. It seems that the picture the angel Gabriel painted for her before Jesus’ birth was coming into greater focus, and Mary was stirred to wrestle with all that it would mean. It’s one thing to set aside time to think about what God has done for which he should receive glory, but it’s another thing altogether to actively toss around ideas as to how God should receive glory because of what he has done. This might require a day-long time of prayer and processing, a multi-day retreat away from one’s typical setting, or some other type of adjustment to the regular routine. Whatever symballousa might look like in our lives today, when God’s glory is at the center of our actions we will never regret the effort and sacrifice it requires.

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When will I set aside time to focus on what God is doing in my life?

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
– Luke 2:25 ESV

GREEK
παράκλησιν/paraklēsin: devoted comfort [given by someone in close proximity]

CONSIDER
The nation was divided on which direction their leadership should take them. They disagreed on how to defend their borders, leverage their military, and care for the marginalized. Some thought their country’s best days were behind them, while others believed that change was the only path to success. Sound familiar? Such was the plight of the Israelites in Isaiah’s day. But in the midst of spiritual and political uncertainty, Isaiah heard the Lord tell him to comfort my people and speak tenderly to her that warfare has ended and a time of peace has begun (Isaiah 40:1-2). From that time forward, Israel had been waiting for the Messiah to fulfill this promise.
Fast forward to the world that Jesus was born into. God’s people were still desperately longing for the comfort and peace that Isaiah had prophesied. But one devout man named Simeon not only believed in the hope of the Messiah, he was also promised that he would live to see him face to face. Luke records that Simeon was waiting for paraklēsin (devoted comfort) of Israel. It’s no accident that this phrase is closely linked to the word Isaiah used in his prophecy. Paraklēsin is a noun that denotes the kind of comfort that only someone in close proximity to another can give. That person is able to provide paraklēsin because they know the situations, character, and struggles of the other. Simeon trusted the promise that God would draw near to his people and cause his nearness to provide the peace and comfort that they desperately needed. We can rest assured that the strength to persevere in hope has been granted through Jesus’ willingness to draw near to us.

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What is God asking me to persevere in?

for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
– Luke 2:30-31 ESV

GREEK
ἡτοίμασας/hētoimasas: you have made the necessary arrangements for

CONSIDER
Because God sees what we can’t we value GOD-RISKS therefore we respond when God speaks, pursue efforts that require supernatural intervention to succeed, and – while we aren’t irresponsible – we resist the comfort zone and don’t maintain or play it safe out of fear.
This Because and Therefore statement on trusting in all circumstances is crucial to how we at Centerway live out our faith. We are able to take God-risks because of his perspective, character, and activity. But risk doesn’t always involve action; at times it can feel far riskier to stay still and wait for the Lord’s direction. When Simeon heard the Spirit’s promise that he would live to see the Messiah, he wasn’t given a specific date for when this would be fulfilled. As a result, he had to wait while he chanced being disappointed by unmet hope. But when he held Jesus in his arms, he declared, “My eyes have seen your salvation that hētoimasas (you have made the necessary arrangements for) in the presence of all peoples.” In the moments when Simeon wondered if his God-risk was worth it, the truth that this Greek verb conveys must have brought immense comfort. God didn’t stand idly by while we put forth the effort to save ourselves. Despite our willful disobedience to his law, God made the necessary arrangements to rescue us from the consequences of our sin. Simeon saw this and rejoiced that God did the work he could never do himself! Because God’s character was on full display in Jesus, we know that we can trust our Heavenly Father to provide for our needs in any endeavor he calls us to. Our ability to persevere when called to take a God-risk is strengthened when we recognize that his work on our behalf has met the greatest need we will ever experience.

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What is God asking me to persevere in?

so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.
– Luke 2:35(b) ESV

GREEK
ἀποκαλυφθῶσιν/apokalyphthōsin: may have the cover taken off them

CONSIDER
What comes to mind when the word apocalyptic comes up? Perhaps your thoughts turn to dystopian literature that describes an alternate reality, or maybe it conjures up images of the end of the world as we know it. Whatever you think of when apocalyptic is referenced, the concept of bringing clarity to a situation is likely low on the list! That’s because this word is an example of “semantic shift,” a phrase that means the definition of a word has changed from its original meaning. But our English word for apocalypse is derived from the Greek word apokaluptó, which originally meant “to uncover something that is hidden.” Over time, the meaning of both these English and Greek words has shifted in meaning. So when Simeon prophesied that Jesus’ birth would have the effect “that thoughts from many hearts apokalyphthōsin(may have the cover taken off them),” we might be tempted to think of it as a destructively apocalyptic act. But Simeon’s original intent was to let Mary and Joseph know that Jesus would draw out from many people the hidden contents of their inner being. Apokalyphthōsin is a verb in the passive voice, meaning that something acts on its subject from outside of itself. So rather than the heart being forced to find its way through the darkness of sin on its own, Luke indicates that Jesus himself will be shining His light in the darkness and doing the heart-work that is necessary for our healing. Knowing that the Good Shepherd hasn’t left us to our own devices but is at work bringing clarity of direction to our inner being, we can more easily trust his leading along the paths that require perseverance.

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What is God asking me to persevere in?

She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
– Luke 2:37(b) ESV

GREEK
ἀφίστατο/aphistato: give up one’s position

CONSIDER
In a last-ditch effort to stop Jesus’ ministry before it started, Luke records that the Devil tempted him on three occasions in the wilderness. Although Jesus was fully human, he was able to resist the temptation by refuting lies with the truth of God’s word. Luke 4:13 says that the Devil recognized that he could not tempt Jesus to sin, so he departed, or left the chosen position he held in battle until another time. The Greek word Luke used for this traces its roots to a military term, indicating that the Devil saw this wilderness temptation as a spiritual battle that Jesus decisively won.
But that passage wasn’t the first time Luke used this term in his gospel. In today’s verse, he described the prophetess Anna as a worshiper who stood her ground in the temple, fasting and praying. Although she was over eighty years old, she did not aphistato (give up [her] position) from the temple. Conservative estimates have Anna remaining steadfast in the Temple for at least 60 years. No matter what a person is battling, six decades is a long time to stand one’s ground! Despite the temptation to shrink back or lose hope, Anna faithfully prayed, fasted, worshiped, and waited for the redemption of Israel. Imagine what might have happened if Anna chose to give up her place on the spiritual battleground she was called to after a few months, years, or decades. Similarly, the gospel declares that we are all uniquely equipped by God and challenges each of us not to aphistato from the position He has called us to in spiritual battle. We each have a special part to play as we point to the One who not only redeemed Israel but also everyone who puts their trust in Him. Regardless of how long it may take, standing our spiritual ground will always be worth the effort.

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What is God asking me to pray and/or fast about?

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
– Luke 2:38 ESV

GREEK
προσδεχομένοις/prosdechomenois: poised to receive with anticipation

CONSIDER
What lengths would you be willing to go to for the promise of the best meal of your life? Maybe a better question would be “How many years would you be willing to wait?” Foodies have been flocking to The Bank Tavern in Bristol, England in such droves that a booking for their Sunday Roast meal needs to be made a staggering four years in advance! But their mature beef and pork belly dish has consistently been ranked the best Sunday brunch in the UK, and patrons who have chosen to exercise patience have considered it well worth the wait.
In a world in which the concept of waiting is often synonymous with torture, the ability to endure in the midst of it can set a person apart from the crowd. The prophetess Anna certainly knew how important this was, and when she met Jesus, she immediately spoke of Him with others who were prosdechomenois (poised to receive with anticipation) the redemption of Jerusalem. This Greek verb differentiates between two types of waiting. Instead of describing an act of dreaded boredom as one passively sits around, prosdechomenois is characterized by turning toward the direction one hopes to receive a blessing from, and anticipating with excitement the fulfillment of that hope. Anna – along with all those who were prosdechomenois the redemption of Jerusalem – was active in her waiting through prayer, fasting, and keeping a lookout for the Lord to move. When she saw Jesus, she knew that he was the culmination of all the decades of waiting with anticipation she had experienced. Turning our eyes upon Jesus can accomplish the same thing for us today. Regardless of what God may be asking us to pray and fast about, waiting on him with anticipation is always a great place to start!

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What is God asking me to pray and/or fast about?

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
– Luke 2:40 ESV

GREEK
πληρούμενον/plēroumenon: crammed to full capacity

CONSIDER
In 1946, a breakthrough in digital storage and memory was achieved by Dr. Freddie Williams. His cathode ray tube, known as the Williams tube, is generally acknowledged as the first type of RAM ever invented. With Williams’ new technology, early computers could now store 1024 bits of digital information, enough to save around 5-10 text messages worth of data! Today, there’s potentially more digital storage capacity in your refrigerator, bathroom scale, or coffee pot than in Dr. Williams’ cathode ray tubes.
There’s a temptation to compare our wisdom unfavorably to the wisdom Jesus displayed in today’s verse. We may reflect on past failures or moments when we lacked common sense, and feel like a Williams tube in a supercomputer world. But Luke offers us immense hope regardless of how much capacity we have for wisdom. It may seem obvious to us that Jesus, the promised Messiah who was lauded by angels and prophets alike, would grow to be strong and plēroumenon (crammed to full capacity) with wisdom. After all, he is the infinite Son of God with infinite amounts of power and understanding! But the Greek verb used here is nearly identical to the adverb Jesus’ brother uses in James 1:5. There, he says that if any of us lacks wisdom, he can ask, and it will be given to him generously. This word means to be given sincerely, without restraint. So while Luke’s verb shows Jesus at full capacity as he grew in wisdom, scriptures goes on to say that we, too, can have this experience of being at full capacity with wisdom when we ask him. We may be able to look back at moments we wish could be different, but thank God we can have confidence that we can be plēroumenon because of the generosity of our wise God.

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What is God asking me to pray and/or fast about?

but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
– Luke 2:44 ESV

GREEK
νομίσαντες/nomisantes: assuming without having the facts

CONSIDER
Losing a child in a grocery store for a few minutes is understandable, but losing your miracle child on a trip for three days will lead to some significant questions. Who was responsible for keeping tabs on the Son of God? Wasn’t there a check-in time for the twelve-year-old to meet up with his parents? It may be fine to assume certain things about your child, but their whereabouts while on a four-day journey shouldn’t be one of them!
The scenario that Mary and Joseph found themselves in is not as absurd as one might think. Traditionally, a caravan like this would travel in two groups, with the women and children in one large group at the front, and the men traveling behind them in another group. With this in mind, it’s easy to see how both Mary and Joseph would be found guilty of “nomisantes (assuming without having the facts) him to be in the group.” Derived from a word that means “law,” nomisantes specifically refers to something one believes so adamantly that it’s as binding as a law or custom to them. Because Jesus was 12, he would have been welcome in either group, and scholars believe this could be why his parents assumed something that was not true.
False assumptions often come from an incorrect perspective on our situation. We can easily assess the circumstances we find ourselves in as negative and project that negativity into nomisantes. But when we choose to focus on the truth of God’s goodness instead of our fluctuating emotions, our perspective adjusts in a way that can truly inform our reality.

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Adjust your perspective in accordance with a loving and present God.

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
– Luke 2:47 ESV

GREEK
συνέσει/synesei: intellectual insight; ability to put the pieces together

CONSIDER
He was the world’s longest-serving death row inmate until an astute defense attorney changed his life. Iwao Hakamata was accused of murdering his boss and his boss’ family in 1968 and was sentenced to death for the crime. But a series of questions arose and details surrounding a false and coerced guilty plea began to surface. Hakamata spent 46 years on death row in Japan, until forensic evidence exonerated him. Through DNA testing and proving that false evidence had been planted to frame the man, Hakamata was finally acquitted of all charges at the age of 88. Even when things looked bleak, the defense patiently pieced together evidence until the picture of justice was clear.
When the twelve-year-old Jesus was found in the temple, his synesei(intellectual insight; ability to put the pieces together) was on full display. He was able to ask poignant questions and answer difficult ones posed by the Temple authorities. People were amazed that at such a young age, Jesus could piece together the specifics of an argument to bring the light of truth to bear on a situation. And because Jesus is both the exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3) and alive today at his right hand (1 Peter 3:22), his synesei is just as accessible now as it ever was! His perspective on our lives is far superior to ours, and as a result we can trust him to connect the dots of our lives in a way that brings him glory and brings us joy. Regardless of how confusing and complicated our lives may be, Christ’s synesei can be accessed to make sense of our current reality.

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Adjust your perspective in accordance with a loving and present God.

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
– Luke 2:49 ESV

GREEK
δεῖ/dei: am compelled to; am fulfilling God’s will to

CONSIDER
“Everyone wants to be famous, but nobody wants to do the work to get there.” Sociologists believe this modern adage is increasingly popular in today’s hustle culture because it implies that some of our deepest desires can be unlocked simply with a solid work ethic. The problem is that fame comes in all sorts of forms, and the “work” required to get there is measurably different depending on what form it takes. John the Baptist was one of the most famous people in history, and yet his fame came from doing God’s will amidst eating locusts in the wilderness, being wrongly imprisoned, and ultimately beheaded. But John would be the first to declare that the cost of his fame was worth it all because his life wasn’t about his own greatness in the first place. John 3:30 records his declaration about the goal of his life: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John uses the same Greek verb here that Luke does when he shares the story of Jesus as a boy in the temple. When his parents finally found him speaking with the religious leaders of Jerusalem, Jesus asked, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I dei (am compelled to; am fulfilling God’s will to) be in my Father’s house?” By using this word, Luke was expressing to his readers that Jesus had a unique relationship with God the Father. This was the first reference in scripture in which the phrase “my Father” was used, and Jesus was compelled to be in the temple simply because it was His Father’s will. As his life progressed, Jesus would continue to do the will of his Father regardless of how much it cost him. Adjusting your perspective in accordance with a loving and present God will likely be a lot harder in practice than in theory. The lives of Jesus and John the Baptist were both fraught with difficult decisions and challenging circumstances as a result of it. But it’s when we find ourselves in the center of God’s will that life begins to make sense, because the thing that can unlock the deepest possible joy is leaning into the perspective that the will of God brings.

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Adjust your perspective in accordance with a loving and present God.