The book of Luke can be appropriately summarized as “salvation history.” It details the story of Jesus Christ; the supernatural events surrounding his birth, his extraordinary life, death and then resurrection. Surprisingly, Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel, did not take his place amongst the rich and the powerful. Instead, he came to seek and to save the lost. He declared, “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” It truly is a compelling story. But how do we know it’s not just fake news? Luke begins by defending the trustworthiness of the gospel, explaining the origins of his message. As Christians living in a world dominated by manufactured narratives, we can be certain of the things we have been taught.

400 years had passed since Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, had promised that someone would come to prepare a way for the Lord, the Messiah of Israel. Had he forgotten? Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had personal experience with the deafening silence of God. They couldn’t have children and were now advanced in years. But then everything changed when God spoke to Zechariah by the angel, Gabriel. God had heard his prayer and Elizabeth would give birth to a son. They would name him John. He would not only remove Elizabeth’s reproach, he would turn many back to the Lord. The salvation story had begun. At just the right time God brought beauty out of barrenness. He does more than we could ever ask or even imagine.

After 400 years of silence, God had burst into human history with the angelic announcement of John’s birth. While the news of John the Baptist’s miraculous conception was good, that of Jesus is even better. Luke’s salvation story builds as he introduces us to the Savior. By an act of divine grace, Mary would conceive and give birth to a son. God had miraculously opened the womb of barren women in times past. But never had anyone heard of a virgin birth. The angel Gabriel’s announcement to the virgin Mary along with her response introduces us to the fundamental character of our Savior and the fundamental characteristics of our salvation. In this salvation story we contribute nothing. We are saved when we humbly submit to God's amazing, miraculous grace.