Expert: Clifford H. Readout, Jr. - 10/12/2006

Question
hey
i was wondering if you could help me
i am currently studying lukes gospel and want to know what are the main things chapter 1&2 say 3&4 say (and so on) about jesus

many thanks joshua  

Answer
Dear Joshua,

Thank you for your question. It is a question that would require a large book to give a complete answer!

There are two parts to my answer, and one of them cannot be provided through the AllExperts system (due to copyright demands).  I will give you the immediate answer in this reply, and then tell you how to get the more detailed second part.

First, “what are the main things chapter 1&2 say 3&4 say (and so on) about Jesus?”
The first four chapters are quite expressive:

1:1-4 establish the credibility of the testimony given in the whole of the letter.

1:5-25 (and verses :36-37; 57-80) record the fulfillment of the prophecies of a forerunner (particularly Malachi 3.)

1:26-38 record the fulfillment of prophecies that establish the identity of this child as Yahweh (The LORD) become Messiah (Christ).  (Especially Exodus 12:2; Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 118:14, 21, and there are many, many more. The more well known ones are Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6.. These also establish the details summarized by John 1:14.)

2:1-7 record the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the location of His birthplace, and territorial home. (Specifically Micah 5:1-3, Bethlehem; Isaiah 9:1, Galilee.)

2:8-20 Provide the focus of His mission. (:11, To be The Messiah, :14, to establish peace between God and men.)

2:21-38 specify the application of the Name of the Lord to the child, and verify the source and meaning of that name through the testimony of two impeccable witnesses that were well known, unrelated and uninvolved with the family (Simeon and Anna).  The testimony is that the name “Jesus” means “Yahweh is Salvation” and is proof that this child was/is Yahweh come to redeem His people.

2:39-52 establish that He started correctly, according to God’s Law, as a child, and grew properly, as well.

3:1-20 record the forerunner’s testimony concerning the identity and ministry of Jesus. (:6 He is the Salvation of God; :16 He is the one who pours out the Holy Spirit, per Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:16-17; and that He will be the Judge, by mention of “and fire.”)

3:21-22 The genealogy establishes that Joseph, His legal father (by virtue of marrying His mother and not disowning Him), was a direct descendent of David, which gave Jesus a legitimate claim to the throne of David and the Kingship over Israel.  (This claim is even stronger when followed through His mother Mary’s genealogy in Matthew 1.) Luke’s genealogy also demonstrates the convergence of His ancestry through both Mary (primarily the physical relationships) and Joseph’s (primarily the legal relationships) to establish that Jesus is the inheritor of the Covenant Promise, and the prophesied “seed of the woman” in Genesis 3:15.  It also shows His direct connection to the first man called “the Son of God.” Books have been written on all of this, so I’ll just have to content myself with giving you these few hints!

4:1-14 summarize the facts of His spiritual victory over “all that is in the world” (1John 2:16), and show us that He never surrendered to temptation, but exercised the power and authority of genuine holiness in His personal life.  He started right and stayed right.

4:15-22 contain His public declaration of His mission.  The passage He read, from Isaiah 61, contains words both gracious and condemning.  He only read the gracious portion, and this caused His hearers great admiration for His compassionate “interpretation” and claim to be the fulfiller of the prophecy.

4:23-30 also contain a declaration of the judgment aspects of His mission which would be brought on by His people’s fulfillment of other prophecies, especially Isaiah 53.

4:31-32 tell us that Jesus spoke with words of authority and power, not merely with the words of a teller of truth.

4:33-41 record the testimony of devils concerning His power, authority, judgment, and Identity.  It also shows one of His preferred ways of using His power, to heal.

4:42-44  reveal that He would not be diverted from His ultimate mission by the temporary acclaim and acceptance of men who have received of His gifts.

Even though this is just an overview of the highlights of chapters 1-4, it is lengthy.  Obviously, even a summary of the other chapters would require a large book, indeed.  It just isn’t possible for me to write it all out for you in this forum.

However, I do have a published paper available, of which I am the co-author, titled, “The True Humanity of Jesus Christ.”  I would be willing to send a PDF version of it to you if you email me directly at <readout@earthlink.net>.  I would include it as an attachment it to my reply.  I cannot post it through AllExperts.com, because that would violate certain copyright issues I must abide by.

I hope this helps your study.

CR