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 e’re looking at the Top 20 passages in the Bible--those chapters that people turn to again and again for God’s wisdom--and we’re starting today with number 20, the beginning of the Christmas story from Luke chapter 1 (it continues in chapter 2). Number 20: The Christmas StoryBy Eric Elder We’re looking at the Top 20 passages in the Bible--those chapters that people turn to again and again for God’s wisdom--and we’re starting today with number 20, the beginning of the Christmas story from Luke chapter 1 (it continues in chapter 2). When you read Luke 1, you’ll see that it is filled with all the wonders of Christmas--miracles, angels, signs, and wonders--yet it was written by a man who was well-grounded in reality. Luke was a medical doctor, as noted by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 4:14, who set out to write an “orderly account” of the life of Christ for his friend Theophilus, so that he would know “the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). Luke had carefully investigated these stories and had personally interviewed eyewitnesses of the accounts. He had traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys, and later documented their travels in the book of Acts. Yet with all of Luke’s detailed research and careful thought that he put into all of his writings, he still had room in his heart to try to convey--and not shy away from--the truly miraculous events that surrounded the birth of Christ and the events that followed throughout His life. As a medical doctor, Luke--of all people--would have understood that it was nothing short of miraculous for Mary to give birth to a Son, even though she had never lain with a man. Yet Luke, of the four writers of the life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), includes more details about Christ’s birth than any of the others. Perhaps it was precisely because of his experience as a doctor that Luke includes the miraculous aspects of this story. Having likely witnessed many births himself--as I have with my own six children--he would have known that every birth is a miracle from the hand of God. So it would have been no stretch of the imagination for him to see that the miraculous events surrounding Christ’s birth were from the hand of God as well. Luke 1 also contains one of the most encouraging verses in all of Scripture about the power of God. It comes after the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she’s going to have a child. When Mary asks how this will happen, Gabriel says, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). And Gabriel would know. This is the same Gabriel who appeared to the prophet Daniel about 500 years earlier, revealing to him the exact timing of the Messiah’s birth (see Daniel 9:21-27). And this is the same Gabriel who appeared to Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, telling him that his wife would soon become pregnant. When Zechariah doubted, Gabriel said, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news” (Luke 1:19). It’s as if Gabriel was saying, “Maybe you don’t realize who I am...but I’m Gabriel, and I stand in the presence of God. Believe me when I say that when God makes a promise, He will fulfill it!” Just as God fulfilled His promises to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to Joseph and Mary, to Daniel and a host of others in the Bible, God will fulfill His promises to you, too. Whatever you’re facing, know that God can work miracles in your life. Nothing is impossible with Him. He can do anything! He can restore your marriage, heal your sickness, bring you out of your financial troubles. He can restore relationships that are troubled in your life, He can find a new job for you that fits your giftings, He can even bring that child into your life that you’ve been longing for. Know that God will do whatever’s best for you in every situation, but never doubt His miraculous power. Read Luke chapter 1 for yourself and realize that nothing is impossible with God. Then put your faith in Him again today for everything in your life--even for those things which may seem impossible in your eyes. Let’s pray... Father, thank You for inspiring Luke to take the time to carefully investigate and document the miraculous life of Christ so that we, too, would know the certainty of what we have been taught. Lord, fill us with faith again today so that we can truly believe in our hearts that nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.P.S. As we go through this series, I'll also include a memory verse from the passage we’re studying, so that you can have something to memorize as we go along. Hiding God’s Word in your heart is one of the best ways to recall it later when God wants to remind you of it. Here’s today’s memory Verse: “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) P.P.S. I’d also be interested in hearing how God has touched your life through these Top 20 passages, either in the past or as you’re reading them right now. You can post your thoughts, comments or questions on our FaceBook page. Just look us up on FaceBook at “The Ranch Messages” and click “Like” if you’d like to be notified of other people’s posts to the page as well. Invite your friends! If you’d like to study these passages with friends in the coming weeks, send this note to them and encourage them to sign up for these free email messages, too! Today’s Scripture: Luke 1 To read more from this series, “The Top 20 Passages in the Bible,” click here: To get more inspiring books or music like this, please visit: To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here: |
