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There is a marvelous story to marvel over

When you come back from an event it is always great to have multiple reports on it as you see different perspectives and opportunities for learning. There are many leaders who only want to listen to certain perspectives but there is wisdom in hearing everyone out. We are blessed that our forefathers of the faith, through the direction of the Holy Spirit, had the wisdom to allow a tax collector, a young man (during Jesus' days), a doctor and a fisherman to document their knowledge of Jesus and His ministry for the blessing of the generations that followed. Today I start looking at the writings of a doctor who interviewed many and was reporting to a person of some social, religious and/or political standing in the Roman Empire at that time named Theophilus.

Luke 1:1-4
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Given the presentation above, it is apparent that Theophilus had some prior training or understanding of the ideas written by Luke.  It is incredible to have such details expounded in a way that was to confirm a person's prior understanding.  This gospel account has its own character, like the others.

Luke 1:13-16
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

Again, you see miraculous accounts being shared about how the prophet John the Baptist came. His father Zacharias had no idea what hit him. He was in total fear when the angel Gabriel came. Mary was visited by the same angel, and Luke documents a lengthy reaction from Mary. The doctor, Luke, was probably very meticulous in confirming the reliability of these accounts, as not only did he need to give a doctor's perspective on all this, but report the matter to someone of high standing. There is little doubt that God had a hand in all this. The people of the day are recorded as being marveled. Are you marveled?

Luke 1:30-33
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Father, I marvel at your planning and the way You brought us salvation. I am yet again reminded of Your love for me.  May I share more of Your marvel.
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