(And the rest of Luke, too) if you look at how much Scripture Jesus knows and uses in moments of temptation or to direct people to the Good News, you see a pattern emerge: we should love God and God’s Word more! We should be trusting Him to have the words of life and then follow them and believe them!

What if I told you that all the good news about Jesus was already in the Bible before Jesus was even born? How to live; how to forgive; God’s purpose for this earth and ya, all there… we just didn’t see it or understand it. Then Jesus comes and shows us God’s law and Way lived out. We see His heart and desire for us! It’s hard to believe, but that’s just what Jesus’ plan of action was. He utilized all at His fingertips, what we call the Old Testament. It was there the whole time. Love God and His Word!

Luke’s genealogy shows Jesus’ lineage from Mary’s line (at least likely) and shows a kingly designation, though through Nathan’s line and not Solomon’s. There is a priestly feel to this genealogy, at least from the names and makes one wonder if Joseph’s lime had “king” covered and Mary the priestly side. Jesus was both, as mentioned in Hebrews and parts of Paul’s writings. He was a priestly King and we are fortunate to have Him on our side.

Some have cast doubt on the biblical record due to the opening statements in chapter 2. True, Quirinius was Governor in Syria starting in 6 AD (CE in modern textbooks) but governed in the area in other ways long before Herod’s death (which occurred in 1BC at the latest). 6AD is too late, obviously, for the birth of Christ, but many believe His birth occurred between 7-5BC so that works. Further, Octavian (Augustus) took the emperor’s crown progressively from 44-12BC or so and likely would have held the census to bolster allegiance. This fits the timeline well.

Jesus’ connection to David confirms other prophecies about Him like being born in Bethlehem (some will later ask the question about the Nazareth connection). Ironically, Nazareth is named this due to a strong family tie to David, according to Pixner. Nazer means “branch” and is the “offshoot” of the promise of God.

So, while some question the Bible’s details, Jesus was born to a family of Davidic descendants, Quirinius was Gov, Augustus called for the census and Herod was still alive. See, it all works.

I would encourage people to follow along with our sermon series at http://www.parkhillschurch.com for more on Luke. With these posts, I will try to focus on unique things I’ve learned along the way.

The closing years of Herod the Great’s life were desperate and paranoid. Many in his family and service were left either dead or fearing for their lives. He was Idumean (not Jewish) and wealthy due to the trade routes that went through Palestine, a region under Roman control, but allowed a king as long as things stayed quiet. Herod was connected with Marc Antony and Cleopatra and had to explain himself after Augustus (Octavian) won the war and emperorship. He did so and was allowed to rule yet under the authority of Rome. His massive wealth allowed for significant building projects at Masada, Herodium and of course the temple.

He was known for creating massive palaces and fortresses with huge swimming pools. He was eccentric and Jewish in faith (though condemned by the Sanhedrin for his ways). He was an enigma and caused fear. It should be no surprise that he tries to eliminate the baby King by slaughtering children in Bethlehem – killing one’s own children would certainly be harder than commanding soldiers to eliminate someone else’s child.

So, verses 9 and following are a little odd. Your Bible likely has “some earlier manuscripts do not have…” and this made you wonder what’s up with the Bible. Here’s the thing. Scribes over the years made some minor interesting decisions.

Sometimes they made a mistake – think “n” and “r” when handwritten could be close.

Sometimes they added comments that got brought into the text over time – a passage might say “Jesus” and the comment “Christ, our savior” was added. Later writings may just have “Jesus Christ, our savior” which is true, just not in the original text.

Or at times scribes made decisions to “help” the original – like the end of Mark. Here’s my take: a well-meaning school of scribes felt like the ending was too abrupt and left off the best part – the tomb was empty because Jesus was alive! So, they added the ending, using the other Gospels as sources. The problem is, the writing is different and feels like it is. Further, the material is out there some times (ie. not every believer is handling snakes). So, it was likely added and made to feel like Mark wrote it – terse and lacking any detail. This doesn’t mean God’s Word is faulty or can’t be trusted.

Some of what is written is from Luke (road to Emmaus). Some from Pauls ministry perhaps (bit by snakes and not dying).

We have the closest thing to the original that we’ve ever had. It all lines up. Trust textual critics and their painstaking work!

If you are interested, here is a terrific book on Jesus’ last days that will make you think!

These events are so rich. Pilate is the governor for Rome, and a fairly brutal man that takes compassion on Jesus despite not really understanding what was happening. He sees goodness and therefore can’t condemn.

The crowd and the Pharisees are calling for crucifixion. The Pharisees incite the crowd by saying who knows what – who gets you off track?

Jesus stays focused – so what should we do to try to stay focused?

One key detail that I think matters in this gospel compared to the other three: Jesus is anointed by the woman and then Judas sells Jesus out. Judas is angry that she “wasted” the gift and acts magnanimous despite not being so. We find elsewhere that he was stealing money and now acts as if her gift could have helped the poor. He was indignant and sells Jesus out for the price of a slave.

Do you ever try to define Jesus your way instead of let Him Be Him?

Compare this passage to the end of Matthew,

What is beautiful in this passage is Jesus’ message to “stay awake!” We must be ready and we must be alert! He could come any time, but this life is about serving Him and being ready (as a good steward) should He return soon! Are you ready? Are you right with Jesus?

This chapter picks right up where 11 leaves off. God desires that humans have access to Him and Jesus does just that!

Corrupt temple practices: ✔️

Hypocritical religious leaders: ✔️

A nation that was missing its true calling: ✔️

A Savior able to fix it all: ✔️✔️✔️

They can’t trip Him up and can’t confuse Him. May we sell out to Him and Him alone!

This chapter ends with Jesus’ authority being called to question. He, however, asserts his authority well before.

When Jesus curses the fig tree, He is cursing Israel at large and specifically the temple and religious establishment.

The fig tree has parallels to Israel and figs are carved into the paneling in the temple. Jesus cursing it tells the disciples that God is done with that system. Further, Him clearing it out states the same thing and gives people context for God’s plan. He wants people to be able to access Him and the plan was always for relationship with Him. Do you believe that? Do you have one?