Luke 1

Passage: Introduction, The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold, The Birth of Jesus Foretold, Mary Visits Elizabeth, Mary's Song, The Birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah's Song

Memory Verse: "And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"-Luke 1:46

Notes: (v.1-25) Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were upright in the sight of God but had no children, because Elizabeth was barren and they were both old. Once when he was serving as priest, he was chosen to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him that he and his wife will bear a son, and they were to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or fermented drink (why?) and he will bring many people of Israel back to the Lord.

Zechariah asked, "How can I be sure of this?"

The angel answered, "I am Gabriel, and stand in the presence of God. You will not be able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

When Zechariah finally came out, he could not speak to them and they realized that he had seen a vision. When he returned home, his wife became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months.

-(v.26-38) In the sixth month, God sent Gabriel to Nazareth to a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. The angel to Mary that she will be with child and give birth to a son, and that she is to give him the name Jesus. He will be called the Son of the Most High, and will be given the throne of his father David. As she was a virgin, the angel told her that the Holy Spirit will come upon you so that the one born will be called the Son of God. Mary replied, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

-(v.39-56) When Mary visits Elizabeth, the baby inside Elizabeth leaped and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed praises to God, and Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months.

-(v.57-66) When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day. They were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth said to call him John. The people said that there is no one among her relatives named John, so they asked the father to name the son. With a writing tablet, Zechariah replied that his name is to be John. Immediately, his mouth was opened and he began to speak and praise God.

-(v.67-80) Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. The child grew and became strong in spirit.