Diggin' in.

I love getting into a new Bible study.  I love cracking open a new work book.  It's brings memories of the first day of school and cracking open a new text book.  The feeling of cool, crisp, brand new pages under my finger tips.  The smell of the pages and long since dried ink.... strange I know.  It's been a long time since I graduated from high school, yet starting a new study always reminds me of starting a new year at school.

I picked "Jesus the One and Only" by Beth Moore.

Why?

Nothing excites me more than my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Getting to know him is a driving passion.  One He has granted me, because I asked... because He loves me and wants to be in a relationship with me.

I love these in-depth studies because the Bible becomes so much clearer.  I believe if someone is truly God inspired in their writing this will be the result.  That the study will be based in scripture.  Used in the proper context and clarifying not confusing.

I have just completed Day 1 of Week 1 in this 10 week study.  I love that I can watch the videos on the Lifeway website and have my family and a few choice friends to discuss this with.

I like how we just jump right in to the word.  Jumping into to the Gospel according to Luke.

Now Luke , know as the "beloved physician" , was not an eye witness to the life of Jesus but was a close friend of Paul's.  I love his attention to detail, to his fascination and compassion for people.  Also that while specifically talking to Theophilus and instructing him in the historical reliability of the faith, it is slanted towards all "gentiles".  It is a very carefully researched and documented work.

Then taking a moment to pray and commit this study to God and commit to completing it.

The scripture that we are asked to focus on is  Luke 1:1-10 and then later 11-17.

This is where Luke is explaining the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist.  

I'm not going to get into a word for word transcription of the study because I'm sure there would be some copyright law broken that I don't have a clue about so I'm just going to get into what hit me.

Luke procedes in verses 5-17 to give some history about John the Baptists parents Zacharias and Elizabeth, which is completely fascinating to me because it makes the "characters"come alive.    Zacharias was priest of the division of Abijah and Elizabeth was one of the daughters of Aaron  so both came from a priestly family.  Goes on to explain that they were both rightous and walked blamelessly in the the sight of God. Which, I'm thinking deserved some pretty major bragging rights because to walk BLAMELESS??  In the sight of God??? Wow... I mean both being of priestly families ... that is a pretty high bar to measure up to...  yet, Elizabeth was barren, so no children, and both, at this point were "advanced in years". Past the age of child barring.   Luke explains that it is Zacharias turn, so to speak, (he was chosen by lot, kind of like... drawing his name)  to burn incense in the temple of the Lord. I mean this is a HUGE deal.  This is the one time he gets to do this in his life.  There were 24 divisions of priests that served in the temple for one week , twice a year and at major festivals.   Pretty daunting I'd say.

So Zacharias gets his turn and what happens?? An angel of the Lord shows up... namely Gabriel... in all his glory right beside the table of incense and speaks to him.  Tells him he and Elizabeth are going to  have a son and what his purpose is and what does the incredibly righteous priest say to the angel Gabriel??  We find out in vs. 18 that Zacharias questions the angel  and asks... "How shall I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
vs.19- And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news."
vs20- "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their proper time."

I mean seriously???? This is what you choose to say?? This angel.... Gabriel.... shows up... during the one time in your life you can offer incense in this holy temple to give you this amazing news... and you want some proof...   whaaaaaaat??  or some further reassurance that this is from God.

wow. .. needless to say... as Mrs. Moore speculates... Gabriel didn't seem to be in the mood for Zechariah's doubtful retort... and zip goes the lips.  It wasn't permanent or anything but until Zechariah's faith "became sight" it was going to be aweful quiet around there.

what did I get out of this?

It doesn't matter how much we "believe", we are still going to have our doubts.  Most of us get that God loves us... but change us?  Sometimes we aren't so sure.  Can He really heal? Will He heal?  Will I ever believe enough?  

It almost feels cliche to say it already, it seems to be my mantra.  Leave it at the cross... know that God is in control.  Give all to Him and know there is a plan for your life, you were made for such a time as this for a purpose.  We just need to cling to His promises.  We gotta believe.

That's what I got out of the word today...