Week 1
Last week we closed the Gospel of Mark at the empty tomb.
The women came expecting to mourn but instead found the stone rolled away.
They heard the announcement that changed history. Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified had risen.
The message included a tender detail. Tell the disciples and Peter.
Grace reached the one who had denied Him.
And the angel gave a promise that still echoes today. Jesus goes before you.
Mark ends with movement. The risen Christ is already ahead of His followers, working with them as they carry the message of hope into the world.
Now Luke begins his Gospel by slowing the story down. Before the ministry, before the miracles, before the crowds, Luke shows us how God began His work quietly.
Part 1 — Why Luke Writes
(Luke 1:1–4)
Luke begins differently than the other Gospel writers.
He explains his purpose.
“It seemed good to me also… to write unto thee in order.” (1:3)
Luke was not one of the twelve disciples, but he carefully gathered eyewitness testimony and investigated the events surrounding Jesus. His goal is clarity and confidence.
He wants readers to know the certainty of what they have been taught.
This matters because Christian faith is not built on vague spirituality. It is grounded in real events witnessed by real people.
Luke invites us to see that the story of Jesus is not legend or rumor. It is a carefully preserved account of God entering human history.
Faith grows stronger when it is rooted in truth that can be trusted.
Part 2 — Faithful People, Long Waiting
(Luke 1:5–7)
Luke introduces us to Zechariah and Elisabeth.
“They were both righteous before God.” (1:6)
This description is important. They lived with integrity and obedience.
Yet Luke immediately tells us something painful.
“They had no child… and they both were now well stricken in years.” (1:7)
In their culture, childlessness often carried social shame and deep personal sorrow.
Here we see something that Scripture repeats often. Faithfulness does not eliminate hardship.
Zechariah and Elisabeth had lived righteous lives, yet they carried a long unanswered prayer.
Luke is reminding us that quiet obedience during long waiting seasons still matters deeply to God.
Faithfulness is often formed in the waiting.
Part 3 — Fear Meets Promise
(Luke 1:8–20)
While Zechariah is serving in the temple, something extraordinary happens.
An angel of the Lord appears.
Zechariah is afraid. This reaction appears often in Scripture when humans encounter the supernatural.
The angel says something remarkable.
“Fear not… thy prayer is heard.” (1:13)
The prayer Zechariah once offered for a child had not been forgotten. Even if years had passed, God had heard it.
But Zechariah struggles to believe. The promise feels too late and too impossible.
The angel tells him that because of his doubt he will be unable to speak until the child is born.
This moment is not punishment in the harsh sense. It is a discipline that invites reflection.
In silence, Zechariah will watch God fulfill what he once struggled to trust.
God continues His work even when our faith hesitates.
Part 4 — Quiet Faith That Trusts
(Luke 1:21–25)
Elisabeth conceives, just as the angel promised.
Her response is simple.
“Thus hath the Lord dealt with me.” (1:25)
She does not make a public announcement or dramatic declaration. Her gratitude is quiet and deeply personal.
Often God's work begins in hidden places long before it becomes visible.
The early stages of God's promises often unfold in silence.
Faith does not always need an audience.
Part 5 — “Thou Art Highly Favoured”
(Luke 1:26–38)
Now Luke introduces Mary.
An angel appears to her with a greeting that startles her.
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured.” (1:28)
Mary is troubled by the greeting. She is young, unknown, and living in a small town called Nazareth.
Yet God chooses her to carry the Messiah.
The angel tells her she will bear a son named Jesus who will reign forever.
Mary asks a thoughtful question about how this will happen.
Then she responds with remarkable humility.
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (1:38)
Mary does not fully understand the future that awaits her. But she trusts the God who is speaking.
Sometimes the most powerful act of faith is simply saying yes to God's plan.
Part 6 — Joy That Recognizes God
(Luke 1:39–45)
Mary travels to visit Elisabeth.
When she greets her, Elisabeth feels the baby leap within her womb.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elisabeth declares Mary blessed because she believed what the Lord had promised.
This moment shows something beautiful.
Faith often strengthens when it is shared with others who recognize God's work.
God sometimes confirms His promises through the encouragement of other faithful people.
Joy grows when faith meets faith.
Part 7 — The Magnificat: God Lifts the Lowly
(Luke 1:46–55)
Mary responds with a song of praise known as the Magnificat.
“My soul doth magnify the Lord.” (1:46)
Her song celebrates God's character. He notices the humble. He brings down the proud. He lifts those who are overlooked.
Mary recognizes that God's kingdom operates differently than human systems of power.
Those who appear insignificant in the eyes of the world are often the ones God chooses to work through.
God's mercy changes the direction of human expectations.
Part 8 — Speech Restored Through Praise
(Luke 1:57–79)
When John the Baptist is born, Zechariah confirms the name given by the angel.
Immediately his speech returns.
“His mouth was opened.” (1:64)
His first words are praise.
Then he prophesies about God's redemption, describing Jesus as the rising sun who will shine on those in darkness.
The long silence that began with doubt ends with worship.
Sometimes the seasons when God quiets us prepare our hearts to speak more truthfully when the time comes.
Sit With This
Luke begins the story of Jesus in a surprising way.
Through an elderly couple who waited for years.
Through a young woman from an ordinary town.
Through quiet prayers and unexpected promises.
God moves toward people who seem unlikely and overlooked.
If you feel ordinary or unnoticed today, remember this.
The story of redemption has always begun in quiet places with faithful people.
And God still works through lives that say yes to Him.
Leave us a message:
At Gospel First, we're dedicated to providing clear and accessible answers to your questions about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether you're new to the faith or on a spiritual journey, our goal is to make learning about Jesus Christ easy and accessible.
If you have any questions about the gospel that we haven't covered in our lessons, feel free to send them our way. We'll do our best to address them in future lessons.