Luke 1
May it Be to Me as God Says!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, May 8.
I got excited this morning because we are starting the Gospel of Luke, the third of the Synoptic Gospels. Big word alert! Synoptic simply means “same view” and when used of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke it means that these three authors generally see the ministry of Jesus from the same view, which is quite different from John’s Gospel. Some people have made a big deal about what has been called the “Synoptic Problem” which is an area of New Testament Studies, but I assure you there is no substantial problem here, just a catchy title to help with book sales.
As we start with Luke 1 today, it is my hope that you have been reading each chapter along with my morning devotion. If so, keep it up because you are doing it, maybe for the first time—reading and learning about the Jesus of the Bible, for yourself. I invite you to start today if you have not yet been reading along. Fall in love with the Jesus of the Bible.
Consider memorizing Mary’s simple words from Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said.” God had just delivered an important message to Mary and that was her response. God is still in the business of delivering important messages to people and He primarily uses His Word. So as you go to read your Bible, pray these words, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as God says.”
The real problem in contemporary Christianity is not with scholarly issues like the “synoptic problem,” but when people say they are a Christian, but never spend time with Jesus and therefore don’t look or sound anything like Him. “That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable!” [Quote attributed to Brennan Manning and popularized by DC Talk]
Seize the moment and spend time with Jesus, the Lover of your soul today, and He will transform you from the inside out. I am praying for you as you do this.
FBC wants to be there for you personally, so please press 9 if you need someone to call you today. We are praying for you!