Luke 1

Verse 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.…

Verse

⁶ Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. ⁷ But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 

Explaination

Here we find two upright and holy people that the Bible declares were have been blamelessly serving God all their lives. Her husband Zechariah is working just inches from the very physical presence of God himself. Yet this perfect service and working in close proximity to God has seen their prayers unanswered. They were praying for two things, one was a child, the other the messiah. In Verse 13 the angel says that in response to his prayer, his wife will have a son.

Real life meaning

Just because your life is perfectly obedient to God doesn’t mean that God will give you everything that you want. And just because he doesn’t answer immediately doesn’t mean that he hasn’t heard your request. Just like Elizabeth and Zechariah, you may have to wait your whole life for an answer, as some prayers can only be answered in God’s timing. God needed their child to make a huge statement about who Jesus was, and they were given a place of amazing honour as John the Baptist’s parents. He needed to be born at the exact time of history to prepare the way for Jesus to come. Be patient with God, and trust him, you never know the big plan, but when you see it, you would never choose any other way.

Your possible responses

You might have a prayer that is seemingly unanswered, or something that you need to happen. Still trust in God, he has the Big Picture. Pray that you will have the trust and patience to accept whatever that is. Knowing that sometimes the reasons might not be known till eternity. But look over the things that you could have had but would have missed out on if your prayers were answered the way you wanted immediately.

Verse 5. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the…

Verse

5. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years

Explanation/Exegesis/Exposition

The Gospel of Luke starts its argument for Jesus by introducing a Holy Couple, but not Mary and Joseph, but a Priest and his wife.  These had lived a long life, and were blameless and upright in the sight of God.  This is contrasted later by priests and lawyers being upright in the sight of men, but sinners before God. 

This Holy couple however were childless, but not by choice, but because Elisabeth was Barren.  Children are a reward of God it says in Ps 127:3, and yet this couple are held up as holy and perfectly loyal to God their whole lives, yet they are living without the coming blessing other people may have.   They didn’t however use this lack of blessing to excuse any behaviors’  or lifestyle choices that were not ‘blames less’ before God.

Relevance for Today

It is possible to live a blameless life and be keeping all God’s commandments and regulations, according to scripture,  This is standing in contrast to those who say we can’t do it.  It must be noted however that perfect obedience doesn’t entitle the Christian to every blessing they desire.  These people have lived a very long life,, and yet are unable to conceive.   So today the Christian doesn’t follow God and his requirements with expectation of reward, or approach God and delineate their Good works, and deeds as reason for God’s blessing.  God’s blessing is because he is good, not because we are good.

Although the Christian may live blamelessly before God, the grounds of spiritual Blessing is because of the blood of Jesus, and subjects to God’s perfect knowledge and will.  Sometimes we won’t see or understand this until living with God in eternity.  Inversely not experiencing God’s blessing or riches or wealth is no excuse for unspiritual living or breaking of his commands.  Their blameless lives did put them in position for the blessings of the next few verses however, that should they have not been faithful, they would not be fitted for.

Your Response to God

I desire to live blamelessly and acceptably keeping all the statutes and requirements of God.  This will mean changing some of the behaviors I have come to enjoy and even excuse.  I know that I can’t do this for reward or as a bargaining chip with God as this is the minimum expectation for anyone in his presence.  However even if there was no heaven or hell, I would still choose to live that way, because life is so much better in Jesus presence than without him.

Verse ...the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from…

Verse

…the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you

Explanation

Here Luke declares the credentials and intention of the gospel of Luke, the credentials are an investigated, researched and thoroughly accurate account of Jesus life and ministry.  This book is not organized, not chronologically or by subject, but organized as a large essay or argument designed to convince the reader of the authenticity and truthfulness of Jesus being messiah, and belief in his person and mission.

Real life Meaning

When reading the book of Luke, we can expect each story, miracle and teaching will follow this “orderly account”  principle.  So each verse builds on the points raised in the verse before.  So when we read a verse or see something difficult to understand or out of place in Luke, we can explore the previous and next stories, knowing Luke has carefully placed each on with the purpose of continuing and building on the arguments before and afterward as a harmonious whole designed to create a belief in Jesus.  

So when studying the gospel of Luke, our first work is finding out the authors original intent.  Searching for this first, gives us the best chance of reading the Bible for what it is trying to say and not reading into it what we want it to say. 

When studying every difficult passages and every passage, finding the context of the argument and following it through should inform our interpretation of the passage.

Your Response to God

Dear God, please let me be faithful when reading this book, and listen to your voice through the careful inspiration of this Book of your Bible.  Teach me the plain meaning through of these verses in the context of these passages.  So I can accurately apply the lessons learned to my life.