September 14, 2026 - Luke 1-4

Luke’s birth narratives, our Christmas story.  His introduction is interesting.  These observations.

Though others had written about “things that have been accomplished among us” (1:1), Luke tells the story again.  The story of Jesus is one that can be told over and over again with much benefit.  We should tell it over and over again and never get tired of it.  “Tell the old, old story; tell me the old, old story; tell me the old, old story of Jesus and his love.”

The Gospels we have are not fiction.  “Eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us” (1:2).  These are reports from those who actually walked with Jesus, heard him, and saw all the events reported.  “That which . . . we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life . . . we have seen it, and testify to it” (1 John 1:1,2).

Because we have these stories from trustworthy eyewitnesses, we can “have certainty concerning the things [we] have been taught” (1:3).  “Tis true, O yes, tis true, God’s wonderful promise is true; For I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,  And I know God’s promise is true."

The story of Jesus is God’s promise fulfilled.  What a story!

For God so loved this sinful world,

His Son He freely gave,

That whosoever would believe,

Eternal life should have.

‘Tis true, O yes, ’tis true.

God’s wonderful promise is true;

for I’ve trusted, and tested, and tried it,

and I know God’s promise is true.   -- Mrs. C. H. Morris (1899)