Birth of Jesus

Luke describes the Annunciation and the birth of Jesus. The Annunciation refers to the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Gabriel tells Mary that she will have a virgin birth and that she should call the child Jesus.

Chapter 1, 26-38 – Luke describes Jesus’ parents, ‘…a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.’ The Holy Spirit will visit and then Mary will have a baby boy who will be the Son of God.

Chapter 2, 1-20 – This describes the events leading up to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, including the story of the three shepherds.

Also read Chapter 2, 22-35 in which Simeon recognises Jesus as Saviour and Chapter 4, 16-30, when Jesus preaches in the synagogue for the first time.

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Discipleship

Luke describes the disciples and the teaching Jesus gives them.

Gathering the disciples

Chapter 5, 1-11 – At the lake of Gennesaret, Jesus sees some fishermen. He tells one of them, Simon to launch his boat and cast his net. The result is a huge catch of fish, to the astonishment of the fishermen, who decide to follow Jesus.

Betrayal of Jesus

Chapter 22, 1-6 – At the Jewish feast of the Passover, the chief priests and scribes plotted how they could kill Jesus. Satan enters one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot and he goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for money.

Authority of the Twelve Disciples

Chapter 22, 28-30 – Jesus tells the disciples that they will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. They will eat and drink at his table and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Peter’s denials

Chapter 22 31-34, 54-62 – Jesus tells Peter that he will deny knowing Jesus three times before the cock crows. Jesus is arrested and, as he predicted, Peter denies knowing him three times. Peter is devastated that Jesus has been proved right and weeps bitterly.

Demands of discipleship

Jesus teaches the disciples about their duties and the sacrifices they must make.

Chapter 9, 57-62 – One man asks if he can follow Jesus. Jesus tells him this will mean being homeless. Another would-be follower says he must first bury his father. Jesus says, ‘Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.’ A third man asks if he can say goodbye to his family, but Jesus says that anyone who looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

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