Can God interest you in new life?

Every day we're reading, listening to or watching part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today's passage?

Isn’t it great to see Jesus again? We do hear about him all over the Bible, but there is something powerful about being in his presence, even on the page.

I love that this is an orderly, credible account of mind-blowingly incredible events. While most of scripture is written for a Jewish audience directly, I love that Luke’s gospel is aimed more at outsiders looking in who may have loved God, or at least the idea of God, but lacked a way to connect their family tree with his. I love that Luke is going to show the way to do that, through Jesus, very practically with lots of examples of outsiders restored.

Crucial to this is the wide-ranging, jaw-droppingly potent and purposeful power of God. I love how memorably this was at work around Zechariah before Jesus was even born. Note to self: don’t argue with an angel! Unless you’ve got a really good question, like Mary’s…

I love how encouraging it is to see and credit God at work. In Zechariah’s song especially, I’m struck by how his inspired praise illuminates a massively important theme of Luke’s gospel: salvation. What problem does Jesus solve? Why do we need him? There’s a “salvation” answer to this in terms of how Israel needed rescuing from enemies, but what about the rest of us? Zechariah’s song extends to “the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins”, which is far more than a political prop for one country, more like new life for all. Could God’s work really do more than empower Israel but illuminate darkness like the sun?

The least likely witnesses, shepherds at night, would be the first to see this in real life. I love how Luke shows the breadth of unlikely characters whose hopes were fulfilled by meeting Jesus, even before he was old enough to be a leader. From a man and woman with lifelong God-centred devotion, to the festival crowd whose attention was grabbed by overhearing young Jesus in the temple courts, I think Luke is making a point. If you’re paying attention to God, his Spirit can point you to Jesus. Then if you pay attention to Jesus, he can show you everything about God.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God’s work of salvation and restoration is massive. It forms part of a bigger story told through the nation of Israel, but it’s for everyone. When we know Jesus, we can join in too.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Thank God for the reminder that he led the way to restoration with him. It wasn’t something I or anyone else worked out by cleverness or received by privileged status. I want to raise my expectations of what God can do by grace among anyone interested in him.

Who am I going to share this with?

I hope, some in my school community who like the idea of God but don’t yet follow Jesus.