“We see the delicacy of an artist and the accuracy of the trained historian.”

–       A.T. Robertson

Luke 1:1 - Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which are surely believed among us,

Luke 1:2 - just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

Luke 1: 1 - Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which are surely believed among us,

Luke 1:2 - just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

Luke 1:3 - it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus ,

Luke 1:4 - that you  may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

“beyond a shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.”

Luke 1:5 - There was in the days of Herod, the King of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Luke 1:6 - And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Luke 1:7 - But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

Luke 1:8 - So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

Show Pix: Here is the Temple of Herod as it was at the time of Jesus’ birth.

“Now at this particular time in Israel, there were around 20,000 descendants from Levi, male descendants, involved in the priesthood. And in as much as it was of course impossible for all 20,000 to serve continually in the temple, each family had their turn to serve, and they served twice during the year for one week periods. And when it was the turn of your family to serve, they would cast lots to determine what particular aspect of the service you would be engaged in. And maybe once in a lifetime the priest would have his lot to fall upon the offering of the incense before the altar of incense before the Lord.”

                                                                 – Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel

Luke 1:10 - And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

(see schematic of Holy Place vs. Holy of Holies if we have it)

Luke 1:11 - Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:12 - And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

(Show movie clip here from Nativity)

Luke 1:13a - But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias,

Luke 1:13b - for your prayer is heard;

Luke 1:13c - and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Luke 1:14 - And you shall have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luke 1:15 - For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:16 - And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:17 - He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Malachi 4:5 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Malachi 4:6 - And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

John 1:29b - “Behold!”  “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Luke 1:18 - And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

Luke 1:19 - And the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you glad tidings.

Luke 1:20 - But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

Luke 1:21 - And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered for so long in the temple.

Luke 1:22 - But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

Luke 1:23 - And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

Luke 1:24 - Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,

Luke 1:25 - “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”