We start to read today a sweet and tender book by a doctor who shows us these qualities on every page. Some unbelievers say that it is not necessary to be inspired to write history. Just tell the facts, they say. But the historian might not be correct in some details. But God’s Word is inspired, God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), and so it is a perfect record of the facts. This Gospel presents Christ as the “Son of Man,” and so we’ll see references to all the world being blessed — not only Israel, as so often in Matthew. For instance only Luke 2:3131Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (Luke 2:31) quotes Psalm 98:22The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. (Psalm 98:2). Also only Luke 3:66And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:6) quotes Isaiah 40:55And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:5). “All flesh” means all nationalities, and only Luke of all the Gospels has the words “redeemed” or “redemption” in it. And unbelievers sometimes say “only men wrote the Bible, not God.”
V.1-4 Truth is always absolute, unbending. The Bible is hated by unbelievers because it is so positive. Read this one sentence of 82 words for an example of this. Notice the words “declaration,” “surely,” “eyewitnesses,” “the beginning,” “the word,” “perfect,” “understanding,” “all things,” “very first,” “know,” “certainty.” What positive words! It lives on and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23). But not only this Book of Luke is inspired and perfect, but read the following verses to see that the whole Bible confirms itself to be inspired by God. 2 Peter 1:21 about the Old Testament and 2 Peter 3:2, 16 and Jude 1717But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Jude 17) for the New Testament.
V.5-25 The birth of John the messenger who was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to make His appearance on this earth.
V.26-38 When we were reading in the Book of Daniel, we learned that this mighty angel had come from God in heaven to tell Daniel the great secrets of the future (Dan. 8:15-19; 9:2115And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 17So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 18Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 19And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. (Daniel 8:15‑19)
21Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (Daniel 9:21)). But today we read of the same Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, verse 19 of our chapter, and suddenly the heavens open and Gabriel comes to the home of the poor unknown virgin of Nazareth! We are able to hear the very conversation Mary had with this heavenly visitor. Read the words slowly. She believes everything the angel Gabriel told her. She is to be the mother of the Son of God. The angel leaves.