Category: Luke

Notice that the angels are in dazzling apparel. When we speak in creation terms we usually say that out of nothing, nothing comes. Assuming a naturalistic view point, we could say that out of darkness, darkness comes. But the reality and radiance of the angels confirm for us that out of the darkness of the sepulcher comes the vindication of God’s beloved Son; out of the darkness of the tomb comes new light. The angels are proclaiming with their dazzling apparel that the light of the world is no longer dead

We may be tempted to think that the stone is rolled away so Jesus can escape, but the stone is rolled away for us, so we may experience the resurrection in this kingdom age. The stone is the great symbol of stability, but when the stone is rolled away the text teaches us that what was once stable, what was once ordinary is no longer. He, whose body was kept for three days in darkness, now comes forth to break the normalcy of redemptive history and bring in a new world of light and brightness.

Editor’s Note: This is a brief excerpt from Sunday’s Sermon, January 3rd, 2010 at Providence Church in Pensacola, Fl (CREC)

Why three days? Is it possible that this is a prefiguring of the resurrection of Christ on the third day? It appears to be the case. The early church fathers believed this[1] to be a clear reference to the resurrection. This parallels the context of the death of Christ. Just like Mary and Joseph in despair about the loss of their son, when our Lord Jesus was crucified and buried, the disciples and others were in great despair. They thought also that the cause of the King of Israel, the Consolation of the world was lost. But just as the disciples saw the Resurrected Messiah on the third day; Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple on the third day.

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[1] Ed. Art Just Jr. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scriptures. Ambrose says: “It is a sign that he who was believed dead for our faith would rise again after three days from his triumphal passion and appear on his heavenly throne with divine honor.” Pg. 54.

Jesus answers the question of loyalty in Luke 2. When asked about his whereabouts, Jesus answers that dealing with His heavenly Father’s business was more important than dealing with his earthly father’s business. As Green observes:

Luke has staged this interchange so as to pinpoint the primary issue, Who is Jesus’ father? To whom does he owe primary allegiance? Jesus; aligning himself with God’s aim comes to the fore especially through the use of the expression “it is necessary”—employed regularly throughout Luke-Acts as an indicator of salvation-historical necessity (NICNT, 156).

Familial claims–though important–do not take precedence over the claims of the Father.

In Luke 2:49, the author stresses Jesus’ response to Mary’s inquiry about his whereabouts. Jesus’ answer is one of “must-ness.” Hendriksen notes that “the fact that his entire life was controlled by the divine ‘must’ (indicates that he) was in complete harmony with his own desire, dawned on the boy Jesus very early in life. Hendriksen concludes: “Whatever happens to Jesus is the realization of God’s eternal decree (NTC, 186).” Joel Green concurs by noting that the phrase “it is necessary” is employed regularly in Luke-Acts as “an indicator of salvation-historical necessity (NICNT, 156). The necessity of these events proves that the favor of God is upon the God-Man.

Jesus experienced the various stages of human growth. Luke’s account echoes I Samuel 2. Jesus is the greater Samuel.

The apocryphal writers were fond of treating the human nature of Jesus like the divine nature of Jesus. They attributed omniscience and mighty powers to the human nature of Jesus.  But Luke tells us what the author of Hebrews confirm: Jesus was like us being tempted like us (Heb. 5:8). When Luke says that the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom (Luke 2:40), he is implying that Jesus’ human nature continued to learn throughout his life. Hendriksen observes:

He had to grow up, and this is not only physically but also mentally…(NTC, 179).

If we begin to divinize the humanity of Christ, we lose His incarnation.

A quote from this Sunday’s sermon at Providence:

…the text seems to equate this type of thinking with the worst of theological errors. The overall point of this passage is that unless you embrace the Messiah who is being introduced by the Forerunner, you will perish. Biology matters little apart from Messiah.

Thinking typologically, Jesus asks to eat in 24:41. They give him fish. Fish is Gentiles in the NT. The fish eats Jonah, the Jewish missionary. Jonah did not bring good news to Gentiles when first called. Jesus eats the fish. Jesus is the new missionary who obeys the Father when he first calls. Jesus eats fish so that his disciples may be fishers of men.