Luke 1:67-79, Our Purpose: To exalt Christ as Lord (6)

Building on yesterday’s post, what we read in Acts 1:1-2 is quite interesting.  Luke, in introducing what we often call “The Acts of the Apostles,” indicates that the book is actually about the continuing work and teaching of Jesus.  Yes, it was the works of the Apostles; but their identity with Christ made it the work of Christ.  The result of this was the establishment of “the Body of Christ,” the Church. 

We began with a purpose, to glorify God.  Then we asked, what does God want the Church to do to glorify Him?  The answer was, to exalt Christ as Lord.  So now we ask, what does our Head want us to do?  We will know what He wants us to do when we understand what He was and is doing.  What was Jesus’ concern?

·       Matt. 1:21: The name “Jesus” (Jehovah is Salvation) tells us Jesus’ concern: He came to save His people from their sins.

·       Luke 1:68-75: The prophecy of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, tells us the concern of Jesus.  Zacharias knew his son was not the Savior, but that his son would prepare the way for the Savior.  Thus, Zacharias knew that the birth and ministry of his son was reason to praise the God of Israel who has come and redeemed His people.  The coming One was a horn of salvation in the house of David.  It was God showing mercy and remember His covenant with the Fathers. 

·       Luke 2:10-11: Again, from the time of Jesus’ birth, the angels told the shepherds that a Savior has been born … He is Christ the Lord!

·       Luke 2:29-32: The words of Simeon tell us what Jesus was all about.  Simeon knew that the Baby he was holding was God’s salvation for all peoples … a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

·       Matt. 16:18: Here, Jesus makes a clear statement about what He will do, as a result of His incarnation.  I will build My Church.  Throughout the NT, these words continually ring out.  Paul and Peter and John and James were all serving Christ by their involvement in doing what Christ did: building His Church!

·       Luke 19:10: Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost!

·       John 1:29: John the Baptist did his ministry to perfection.  To His disciples he pointed to Jesus and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

·       John 3:16: The “golden text” of Scripture tells us Jesus’ concern.  He was the expression of God’s love for the world, so people would have an object of faith, Someone to look to so that they might not perish and have eternal life.

·       John 12:47: As Jesus neared the end of the earthly ministry, He again made it clear: I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

·       1 Tim. 1:15: Why did Jesus come?  To save sinners.  Paul could not be clearer.

We will continue this theme in the next post.