Angels and Shepherds

The disciples' response to the Lord's call of "Follow Me" can seem strange. Why did they abruptly leave everything and follow Him? Peter's reaction was dramatic: "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" What do we learn about them and about us from their responses? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

In the first miracle told in his Gospel, Luke describes the Lord's exorcism of a man in the synagogue. What is the origin of the devil and evil? How much power does the devil have? How does one become vulnerable to demonic possession through the choices one makes in our present time and culture? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

After His ministry begins, Jesus becomes a sensation. But His return to Nazareth ends with an attempt to kill Him, and He proclaims, "No prophet is accepted in his own country." What went wrong? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Immediately after his baptism, Christ is tempted by the devil. Why does this happen, and what does it mean for us that he too faced temptation, especially at that moment? Being human, Jesus faced temptation, but what does it mean that he is also the Son of God? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

The Baptism of the Lord according to St. Luke contains certain unique features that reflect Luke's special areas of interest. What does he emphasize? The event is followed by Christ's genealogy, which is not exactly the same as Matthew's. Should this be a cause for concern? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

The Nativity stories are completed and Luke reintroduces John, who appears in the desert preaching and baptizing. Why are his presence and ministry so important that even now he occupies such a prominent place, including on the icon screen of every Orthodox church?

Luke's unique contribution continues as he describes the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple where his Messianic identity is recognized. As Mary "ponders" these things, she also receives insight into Jesus' own self-awareness when she loses him the city at age 12. Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Luke mentions angels and shepherds prominently at the Birth of Christ. We think of the scene as poetic and pastoral, but Luke's presentation is a compelling statement about the Incarnation. And why does Luke alone note the circumcision and the presentation in the Temple? Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Luke alone relates the announcements of the conceptions of John and Jesus followed by accounts of their births. The remarkable role of the Forerunner is foretold by his farther and the Lord's birth, although familiar to us, is actually striking and unusual as well. Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Ancient Faith Ministries will be closed in observance of American Labor Day next Monday, September 7. There will be NO NEW EPISODE of Search the Scriptures Live next week. Mary visits Elizabeth, who is expecting John the Forerunner, and at this famous encounter both women prophesy. Luke presents one of the most famous prayers of the Bible, the Magnificat. Still widely even today by Christians it is a masterpiece of poetry and theology. Music attribution: "Galway" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...