Luke 1: 57-66 – 23rd December Weekday (Audio Bible, Spoken Word)
57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
John the Baptist is born into a small and close-knit community, in which all Elizabeth’s neighbours and family relations rejoice with her at the gift of new life the Lord has bestowed on her. This is clearly a good and healthy community environment, and this will be important to John’s formation, howbeit the people are, as small communities can often be, quite conservative in their ways, such that when Elizabeth tells them the child will be called John, she causes something of a fuss, because this is an unusual thing to do: ‘There is none of thy kindred called by this name,’ her friends complain to her.
While the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah and told him what the child’s name was to be, it is now for Elizabeth to announce the name on the occasion of John’s circumcision, which would also be the time of naming. Are we to assume Zechariah has communicated in writing what Gabriel said to him, or has Elizabeth an insight of her own? Either way, there is a certain authority to the woman here, which might seem suggestive when we compare Elizabeth with Mary. It is for Zechariah to assent and to accept in faith the miracle embodied in the woman. And it is with this assent in faith that his tongue is loosed to prophesy.
Jesus’ Jewish Heritage – Clarify This Truth
According to the New Testament, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which was a city located in Judea, a region in the southern part of Israel. The New Testament also states that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, a prominent figure in the Old Testament who is considered to be the father of the Jewish people.
As a Christian, it is important to recognize and appreciate the Jewish roots of Jesus and the fact that he was a Jew. This is because Christianity developed out of Judaism, and Jesus, as well as the early Christian community, were deeply connected to the Jewish faith and culture. In fact, Jesus himself was a practicing Jew and followed the Jewish law and customs of his time.
One passage that demonstrates the close connection between Jesus and Judaism is found in the New Testament book of Matthew, where Jesus is quoted as saying, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). This statement shows that Jesus saw himself as upholding and fulfilling the teachings of Judaism, rather than rejecting or contradicting them.
Jesus was a practising Jew who followed the Jewish law and customs of his time. For example, he worshipped in the synagogue, observed the Jewish festivals, and taught about the importance of living according to the commandments of the Torah.
It is important to consider the context in which Jesus lived and the fact that he was a part of the Jewish community of his time. The New Testament describes Jesus as being rejected and opposed by many of the Jewish leaders of his day, but it also shows that he had a significant following among the Jewish people. This demonstrates that Jesus was deeply connected to the Jewish faith and culture and that he was seen by many of his contemporaries as a Jewish teacher and leader.
Why Might People Struggle With The Thought That Jesus Was Jewish?
There are a variety of reasons why some people might struggle with the idea that Jesus was Jewish. Some of these reasons may be related to misunderstandings or misconceptions about the nature of Jesus’ identity, while others may be influenced by broader cultural or historical factors.
One reason that some people may struggle with the idea that Jesus was Jewish is that they may have a narrow or limited understanding of Jesus’ identity. Some people may view Jesus as a purely divine figure who is separate and distinct from the human world, and therefore may find it difficult to reconcile this view with the fact that Jesus was a human being who lived and operated within a specific cultural and historical context.
Another reason that some people may struggle with the idea that Jesus was Jewish is that they may be influenced by negative stereotypes or prejudices about Jews or Judaism. These attitudes may lead some people to view Jesus in a negative light because of his Jewish identity, or to see his Jewishness as somehow diminishing or detracting from his importance or significance.
Finally, some people may struggle with the idea that Jesus was Jewish because they are not familiar with the broader context of Jesus’ life and the fact that he was a part of the Jewish community of his time. Without this context, it may be difficult for some people to fully understand or appreciate the significance of Jesus’ Jewish identity and the close connection between Christianity and Judaism.
‘And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’ (John 20: 26-29)
When we are offended or injured, Jesus teaches us not to demand pay-back, an eye for our eye, a tooth for our tooth, but rather to forgive, and where there was hatred, to bring instead to the situation the opposite of hatred, which is love [ … ]
The poem meditates on mortality, the ephemeral nature of the human body, and spiritual preparation required for the inevitability of death. Herbert, addressing the relationship between the soul and body, deliberately ‘entombs’ the flesh in acknowledgment of its temporal nature, using the act as an opportunity to reflect on its destiny: to return to dust. This act of entombment is not literal but symbolic, serving as a lesson in humility and a call to align oneself with a spiritual reality that transcends physical existence [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
