Posted on 11/30/2013 8:18:51 PM PST by Salvation
Day 3 questions
7. Why does Matthew allude to or quote from the Old Testament so often (1:23; 2:4, 6, 11, 15, 18)? See footnotes to these verses
8. Why is the star such a significant part of the story of the Nativity of Jesus (2:2, 9)? (See Num 24:17; Rev 22:16)
9a. What qualities characterized the magi as they searched for Jesus and found him (2: 1-3, 10-12)?
9B. How can you demonstrate these same qualities in your own celebration of the birth of Jesus?
Matthew, chapter 2
19When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said,f “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”* 21He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod,* he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. 23* g He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”
Day 4 Questions
10. What deeper significance would Matthew’s Jewish audience find in the flight of the holy family into Egypt (2:13-15 and their return to Israel (2:19-21)? (See Gen 46:1-7; 50:22-26; Exod 1:6-14; 3:7-10: Num 23:22; Hos 11:1)
11. What impresses you most about Joseph (2:13-14)? (See 1:19-25; 2:21-22; Luke 2:41-51)
12a. What are some of the things Joseph had to sacrifice or overcome to be obedient to the Lord (2:13-14)?
12b. When has your own obedience been challenged and how did you respond?
Day 5 Questions
13a. When has rage or fury caused death and destruction in our own day (2:16)
13b. How can we respond when human life is so devalued?
14. What Old Testament tragedies are recalled by the massacre of the Innocents (2:16-18)? See Exod 1:15-22; Jer 31:15)
15. Joseph came to understand God’s will and direction through dreams (1:20; 2:13, 19) In what ways do you experience God speaking to you.
Day 6 Questions
16. Read the story of the birth of Moses in Exodus 1:15-2:10. What parallels do you see between the circumstances of his birth and childhood and that of Jesus (Matt 1-2)?
17a What is the significance of Jesus being called a “Nazorean” (2:23)?
17b Read Judges 13:2-5; 1 Sam 1-28; Luke 1:5-17 and comment on some of the common elements in these stories.
18. Why do you think the infancy story of Jesus contains foreshadowing of the cross?
The sources for what is written in the Holy Gospels would have been immediate to the historic circumstances, with Mary and Joseph being primary witnesses, but many others, too. These things were done publicly in view of many people. Because the Sacred Scriptures are breathed by the Holy Spirit, they testify predominantly of Christ Himself, rather than of themselves, those who witnessed these things, and how the accounts were specifically drawn.
Even one who writes an article for a newspaper does not render a great deal about the process for future readers to explore, because it is not particularly germane except for the sake of curiosity. But the Sacred Scriptures do testify clearly as to their purpose, namely to raise up the Crucified One as our Righteousness for all generations before and since His participation in this vale of death on our behalf.
Had these things taken place in this day and age, they would be subject to cheap rumor mongering, media sensation, and worse distortion than already takes place on account our flesh and the evil one. There is a reason the Holy Spirit testifies that Christ came into the flesh “in the fullness of time.” There is no happenstance about it, as we will see together most clearly at The Last Day.
Now we will commence looking at the Infancy Narrative according to Luke 1. Luke 2 will follow in six days or so.
Advent Series Ping!
Luke, chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
1Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,a 2just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,b 3I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.
II. The Infancy Narrative*
Announcement of the Birth of John.
5In the days of Herod, King of Judea,* there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.c 6Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 7But they had no child,* because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.d 8Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, 9according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.e 10Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, 11the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,* Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.f 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of [the] Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.* He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,g 16and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah* to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”h 18Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel,* who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.i 20But now you will be speechless and unable to talk* until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”j
21Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute. 23Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 24After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, 25“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.”k
Announcement of the Birth of Jesus.*
26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.l 28And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”m 29But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31n Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32o He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”p 34But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”* 35And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.q 36And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37for nothing will be impossible for God.”r 38Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
I like the greeting in other translations better. “Hail, full of grace.”
Day 1 Questions for Luke 1
1. how did the study of Matthew’s infancy narrative challenge you spiritually?
2a. What do you suppose kept Elizabeth and Zechariah hoping for a child (1:6-7, 13)?
12b. Describe a time when you waited faithfully for God’s direction or response to prayer.
3. Elizabeth is one of many women the Bible describes as “barren” (1:7). When have you felt spiritually barren and then been surprised by God?
The challenge comes from the women listed in the genealogy:
Tamar, the rape victim.
Rahab, the prostitute.
Ruth, the seductress.
Bathsheba, the seduced and then maliciously widowed.
Yet God in His mercy and love for mankind uses such as these to accomplish His purpose.
No wonder that this text is paired with Romans 8 "we know that in all things God works together for good" for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos! (September 8)
Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem;
Creatorem caeli et terrae.
Et in Jesum Christum,
Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum;
qui conceptus est
de Spiritu Sancto,
natus ex Maria virgine;
passus sub Pontio Pilato,
crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus;
descendit ad inferos;
tertia die resurrexit a mortuis;
ascendit ad caelos;
sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis;
inde venturus est
iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum;
sanctam ecclesiam catholicam;
sanctorum communionem;
remissionem peccatorum;
carnis resurrectionem;
vitam aeternam. Amen.
In English:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
I like Luke because of the richness of the narrative and its explication of the steps in the coming of the “fulness of time.”
And all of us with Marian affection are going to like Luke, I suppose. And if you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, Luke’s songs are part of your daily life.
Day 2 on Luke 1
4. According to the angel’s message, what role will John play in religious history (1:16)? See 3:3-14; Mark 1:4-5.)
5. From what you know of John the Baptist’s later life, how was he like Elijah, the prophet 1:13-17)? (See 3:1-20; 9:7-9; 1Kings 17:1-6, 21:17-29; Mal 2:23.
6. Why was it significant that the angel is identified as Gabriel (1:19)? See Dan 9:20-10-15.
Day 3 on Luke 1
7a. Why can Mary be called God’s “favored one” (1:28)? See 1:30; Judith 13:18.)
7b. What evidence can you find of God’s favor in your own life? (See PS 30:5-6; Isa 63:7.)
8. Compare Luke 1:26-35 with Matt 1:22-23. How do the two accounts describe Jesus’s role and identity in slightly different ways?
9. What are the life-long implications of Mary’s response, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (1:38)? (See 2:35, 41-51; 8:19-21; 11:27-28; John 2:1-5; 19:25-27.)
Mary Visits Elizabeth.
39During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,s 42cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.t 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me? 44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”u
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;w
47my spirit rejoices in God my savior.x
48For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.y
49The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.z
50His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.a
51He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.b
52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.c
53The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.d
54He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,e
55according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”f
56Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
The Birth of John.*
57When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.g 59* When they came on the eighth day to circumciseh the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”i 61But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j 65Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
Questions for Day 4
10. Read 1:38 and describe a situation where you could only trust God’s promises for you. (See 22:42; Rom 4:20-21)
11. In prayer, Mary is sometimes addressed as the “Ark of the covenant”. 1:39-42) See 2Sam 6:2-15) How does this image help you understand Mary’s role in your prayer life?
12. Why is it significant that Mary is designated as “one who believed” (1:45)? (See Acts 1:6-14.)
The Birth of John.*
57When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.g 59* When they came on the eighth day to circumciseh the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.”i 61But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.j 65Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
67Then Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:
68* “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.k
69* He has raised up a horn for our salvation
within the house of David his servant,l
70even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:
71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,m
72to show mercy to our fathersn
and to be mindful of his holy covenanto
73and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,p
and to grant us that,
74rescued from the hand of enemies,
without fear we might worship him
75in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.q
76And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord* to prepare his ways,r
77to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our Gods
by which the daybreak from on high* will visit ust
79to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.u
Questions for Day 5:
13. Compare Mary’s prayer (1:46-55) to that of Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam 2:1-10) How are the situations of these two mothers similar or different? (See 1:26-35; 1 Sam 1:4-20.)
14. The Canticle of Mary is used by the Church at evening Prayer and as a model prayer for justice. What makes it suited to these two needs?
15a. Why is it significant that Zechariah’s speech was restored when naming his son (1:62-64)? (See 1:13.)
15b In your experience, when has a person’s name or its meaning helped to form the person?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.