"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Luke 1:57-60

 December 13

​"When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” -Luke 1:57-60 (NIV)

​Can you imagine being in Elizabeth's position of giving birth as an old woman? Yet she bravely endured the rigors and risks while giving praise to God and providing refuge for her frightened young relative Mary. Could we have done the same? Not without God! Life in the 1st century didn't offer hospital care or antibiotics for infections from birth complications. Death rates were high. Luke wrote about the heroic Elizabeth from a unique perspective of a Gentile physician and historian. Dr. Luke, as though he were the attending physician, provides many details surrounding the awesome event of Elizabeth's birth of John. Luke's book begins with angels appearing to Zechariah and Mary, telling of the future births of their sons. From Zechariah and Elizabeth's courage came a prophet- John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Christ.

​Yet Luke gives vital information about many diverse women and emphasizes their importance more than other gospels. Because truth was vital to Luke, he relied heavily on eyewitness accounts. As a medical doctor, he knew the importance of being thorough and used his skills in observation and analysis to find the real truth. His diagnosis is: "the Good News of God's faithfulness is true!" As a doctor Luke was scientific, detailed, and accurate. He also was a friend and traveling companion to Paul. He knew the apostles, had access to original historical records, and was eyewitness to early church events. His books are reliable historical documents. Christianity doesn't ask for blind faith. Luke is reporting the facts and offers reliable records of eyewitness accounts. (Lk.1:1-4) If you find yourself beset with doubts or disbelief this Advent, seek God in his Word. It can be your strength, just as it was for Elizabeth.

​Prayer: God, Thank you for the strength of your Word. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Truth lives thru the ages in God's pages.

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)