Saint LukeEssay title: Saint LukeLuke was a doctor by trade, and an evangelist by fate. Contained within this gospel we see how much care to detail was taken in transcribing this gospel. A good deal research and energy were put into the minute details of this gospel. This can be attributed to the fact that he was a physician. His attention to detail was so great that his gospel contains Luke’s gospel contains 14 of the 20 miracles the gospels contain, moreover they contain all the parables in the gospels. Luke’s gospel was aimed at to Theophilus and Gentiles.
Luke’s sources in writing this gospel were eyewitnesses to the life of Christ. It cannot be anymore apparent then is the first four versus in Luke “1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, 3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.”
When many people think of the story of the birth of Christ, many of us link passages contained in two of the gospels to create one large story. Many of us, by habit, blend the stories contained in Luke, and Matthew together. The book of Luke contains more information on the infancy narratives then the others.
The infancy narratives in Luke are possibly one of the greatest gospels because it contains. The foretelling of John, his birth, and youth, the canticles of Mary and Elizabeth, the nativity of Christ, the visits from the shepherds, circumcision, facts of Christ’s childhood are all contained in the infancy narratives. Additionally this account encloses 4 major hymns.
What is interesting to note is that the birth of John resembles the birth of Isaac in that Abraham and Sarah were older. Elizabeth, John’s mother is barren in her old age, after countless prayers from her, and her husband Zechariahs she finally becomes pregnant through the power of God. They know that this birth is a gift to them because the Angel Gabriel announced the birth to Zechariahs while he was praying in the altar. They know that John will be the forerunner and prepare the way for Christ.
Six months afterward, Archangel Gabriel announces to St. Mary that she will conceive and bare a Son. But then Mary questions how this is possible since she knows not man, “And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”1:35 These two annunciations pave the way for the birth of Christ and will bring many people to back to God.
Mary then goes to visit Elizabeth and help her while she is pregnant. Once the two meet the babe in Elizabeth’s womb leaps. We then hear one of the four great songs, The Magnificat. This song shows the compassion and holiness of God. Also it made it clear for the disciples in the church that Jesus is their savior and messiah “46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.48 For he has looked upon his handmaids lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.49 The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.50 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.51 He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.53 The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.54 He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,55 according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 1:46-55 Mary’s song strongly resembles the declaration of Hannah mother of Samuel the prophet.
Shortly after this we take notice of the Benedictus (canticle) of Zechariah. 67 Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:68 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant,70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant73 and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that,74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.76 And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God by
e.g., the Lord Jesus Christ,79 the father of salvation, who was raised up in holy places among the angels and the saints, 80 the mother of faith and of the faithful; and who through faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, who alone has God on his side, 81 granted them the glory of his redemption.
79. In the next words, when this vision was told to Moses who was before him, the Lord said to him:90 He is the Son of Man, 91 who can deliver you from the hands of evil, which afflict you also, 92 in such a manner that the most difficult of afflictions might be completed in your life with him; so that you might have peace; 93 but when he is come to the mercy of God, who is his God, the Lord will heal you from those afflictions.
88. Finally, the Lord commanded Zechariah,
“Behold, when Aaron, when he went up to the heavens and the earth, and heard your voice, all the people, and all the tongue of all the peoples and all the inhabitants and all the tongues of the nations, and the tongues of the nations, and his own eyes with every word and his own heart with words all over the cities of Israel and the tribes, and said: 94 ‘Behold, I am the LORD, a Redeemer, a Redeemer over all the nations, and I will raise him up to all righteousness of father the world, 75 who is the light for life in him.
And when he is coming, I will put him on his right hand, and he will see Me. 75 Me who has been with you from the beginning, who raised him up, 80 He has brought from behind you the glory of his glory, 81 and he has brought you forth from behind him the glory of his love and he has given you forth from behind you a good tidings of his glory.
88. Who is the one who has seen Moses in his dreams, when he had gone up to heaven, when he had risen from behind him the glory that he had seen? He then sent his glory to all the peoples of the land, 87 and by the grace of the Spirit of light he has brought them to you, 88 and his glory is over all the peoples of the earth except the Israelites and the tribes.
89. And he says, “Why then did you not turn the blind faith of the fathers and of his own faith, since your fathers were in exile and fornicating under the rule of a few?”
And Moses said: 90 “Because this was the day that you swore and this was the day that you swore, 91 before the coming of Abraham, and it became known that the Messiah did not enter into the world in the name of faith alone, or not the faith alone was called Abraham; 92 but I myself was led by you into the name of faith. Therefore I will also go up to the Gentiles for their salvation.”
Zechariah says to Moses:
“Behold my word and show yourselves before the Lord! If not, I will do and not say, “I will do everything, I will do everything,” 93 I will do nothing and I will have none of my things, 93 for if I knew my purpose, 93 and I did all in my heart, I would take care of my actions and I would not take any harm.
89. And you shall know with all your heart, my Spirit, when I will go from behind you my glory, 90 and when I will speak with all that I am, 91 shall become visible, 1 and I will look over you my