What Jesus Did

[The angel said to Zechariah,] "You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at [John's] birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.

—Luke 1:14-16 NLT

Key Thought


John's birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth brought joy to their village, their relatives, and especially to...

 

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John."

—Luke 1:11-13 NLT

Key Thought


God caught Zechariah in the fulfillment of divine promises that occurred with the coming of the Messiah. God...

 

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

—Luke 1:8-10 NLT

Key Thought


In Zechariah's day, the number of priests was so large that a priest often served God all of his life and never got to enter the sanctuary and burn incense before the Lord. But...

 

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

—Luke 1:5-7 NLT

Key Thought


Sometimes, when things aren't going as well as...

 

[The people who wrote previously about Jesus] used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

—Luke 1:2-4 NLT

Key Thought


Luke tells us he is thorough and careful in his work recording the story of Jesus for us. His gospel is the...

 

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, ...

—Luke 1:1-3 NLT

Key Thought


Theophilus means friend of God. We can't be sure whether the name refers to an actual person or if it is symbolic to...

 

Jesus said to them, "Remember when I was with you before? I said that everything written about me must happen—everything written in the law of Moses, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms." Then Jesus helped the followers understand these Scriptures written {about him}. Jesus said to them, "It is written that the Christ would be killed and rise from death on the third day. You saw these things happen—you are witnesses. You must go and tell people that their sins can be forgiven. Tell...

 

While the two men were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among the group of followers. Jesus said to them, "Peace be with you." This surprised the followers. They became afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, "Why are you troubled? Why do you doubt what you see? Look at my hands and my feet. It's really me! Touch me. You can see that I have a living body; a ghost does not have a body like this." After Jesus told them this, he showed them {the holes in} his...

 

They came near the town of Emmaus and Jesus acted like he did not plan to stop there. But they wanted him to stay. They begged him, "Stay with us. It is late; it is almost night." So he went in to stay with them. Jesus got ready to eat with them and took some bread. He gave thanks for the food and divided it. Then he gave it to them. At that time, the men were allowed to recognize Jesus. But when they saw who he was, he disappeared. The two men said to each other, "When Jesus talked to us on...

 

That same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a town named Emmaus. It is about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself came near and walked with them. (But the two men were not allowed to recognize Jesus.) Then Jesus said, "What are these things you are talking about while you walk?" The two men stopped. Their faces looked very sad. The one named Cleopas answered, "You must be the only...