Disclaimer

Disclaimer: I am not a Biblical scholar. All my posts and comments are opinions and thoughts formulated through my current understanding of the Bible. I strive to speak of things that can be validated through Biblical Scriptures, and when I'm merely speculating, I make sure to note it. My views can be flawed, and I thus welcome any constructive perspectives and criticisms!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

090916: Luke 2-4

Luke 2
- “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” à Implies Jesus performed things that men did in order to gain God’s favor.
- “When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.” à Boys start to prepare for the Bat Mitzvah at 12 and start to observe the Feast, etc. Once the child turns 13, he is expected to behave as an “adult,” essentially one who is expected to distinguish right from wrong.

Luke 3
- John is the introduction to Christ.
- Isaiah 40:1-5: prophecy about John preparing the way for Jesus
- James 2:17: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
- “[Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Fire is not a good thing, as suggested by the rest of the passage and also Number 11 (Fire from the Lord)
- Luke lists Jesus’ genealogy via mother’s side (written for Gentiles—reason being God is the Father of Jesus, hence it would make more sense to follow the line via Mary and not Joseph), whereas Matthew lists the genealogy via father’s side (written for Jews, a patriarch society)

Luke 4
- 40: the number of trials and testing (e.g. 40 days and night; 40 years)
- The devil knows the scripture and knows how all the prophecies will be fulfilled.
- Jesus went to the desert to be tested and did not eat. Why? Numbers 6
- “No prophet is accepted in his own town.” à As shown by what happened to Elijah, it is probably b/c 1) no one was “cleansed,” i.e. no one was pure of heart; 2) they did not ask for his help.

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