The Significance of the Coming of Christ

The Surety of Luke's Account

The Gospel of Luke begins by establishing the reliability of its message. Luke, a doctor and historian, and companion of Paul, writes an orderly account for Theophilus, a likely high-ranking Gentile, addressing "most excellent Theophilus." He has followed events closely, interviewed eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, and compiled sources to provide certainty about Jesus.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 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, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

Luke aims for absolute certainty, like safety in knowledge. Imagine taking a test without knowing the answers—nerve-wracking. Now picture facing challenges about Jesus without firm knowledge of His life, death, and resurrection. Luke ensures your understanding of Christ is secure.

Dating to the early 60s AD, before Jerusalem's temple destruction in 70 AD—which Luke records Jesus predicting but never confirms as fulfilled—affirms its early authenticity. Unlike late, bizarre Gnostic gospels, Luke's work is grounded in historical investigation.

The Service of Those Waiting for Christ

Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist, exemplify faithful service amid waiting for the Messiah. Both righteous before God, they walked blamelessly in all commandments and statutes, despite Elizabeth's barrenness and their advanced age.

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. (Luke 1:5-7)

Zechariah, of the priestly division of Abijah (meaning "Yahweh is my father," in Christ's lineage), is chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple. Elizabeth descends from Aaron, the first high priest. Their expectations are religious, not political—focused on forgiveness of sins, not liberation from Rome.

While serving, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah, announcing Elizabeth will bear a son, John, great before the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, turning many to God in the spirit and power of Elijah.

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 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 1:16-17)

John fulfills Old Testament prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6), changing hearts and preparing a people—already prepared by God—for the Lord. This sovereignty underscores God's plan always included Gentiles, not just Israel.

The Seriousness of the Gospel

Zechariah, an Old Testament scholar and priest in the temple, doubts Gabriel's word despite the angel's authority and echoes of Abraham's story (Genesis 15:6).

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news... And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:18-20)

Mute until fulfillment, Zechariah's unbelief highlights the gospel's seriousness. Even eyewitnesses to angels and prophecy can doubt. Belief depends on accepting truth, not just seeing. This foreshadows Jews rejecting Jesus, opening salvation to Gentiles (John 1:11; Romans 11).

The Salvation of God's People

Zechariah returns home mute. Elizabeth conceives, hiding for five months, her reproach removed.

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:24-25)

Echoing Rachel (Genesis 30:23), her joy mirrors Gentile inclusion—outcasts made favored. God sovereignly transforms barrenness into joy, picturing salvation's miracle. John's birth heralds Christ, fulfilling prophecy and announcing salvation for God's prepared people, including Gentiles.

This enhances our worship, revealing the profound significance of Christ's coming—far beyond Christmas materialism.