Terence's prep for 2nd July

Hello! Sorry I can't be there tonight.. Here is my preparation for this study. Qualities I admire will be listed for the ones we did in study only.. cos we didn't really cover character qualities for the authors much, except perhaps for Mark.

Application plan shall be mailed to Wei separately :)

Zechariah

Priest of the line of Abijah (Luke 1:5)
Elderly (Luke 1:7)

Righteous and upright before God, observed all His commandments and ordinances (Luke 1:6)
Doubted the word of the Angel of the Lord (Luke 1:20)
Eventually recanted, came to believe in God’s plan for him and his son. Probably schooled his son, and prepared him in advance for his role (Luke 1:64-79)

What I learnt from him :

More might be demanded of those who know more, contrasting the angel’s response to his question, as to say, Gideon. Punishment for doubting instead of clarification as he ought to have known better as a priest of God

Living a life which is righteous and upright, as well as observing all His commandments, doesn’t mean that you’ll be prepared when the time comes for your testing. He was found wanting, but eventually redeemed himself by affirming God’s plan for his son

The quality I like from Zechariah is what is stated, that he obeyed ALL His commandments and ordinances. Knowing the OT laws, that must have been a lot! Makes me think of someone who knows the word well, and is careful to lead his life in perfect accordance to the word.

Joseph

Descendant of David (Matthew 1:1-17)
Betrothed to be married to Mary (Luke 1:27)
Righteous/Just man (Matthew 1:1)
- Meant that he knew the law well and was careful to live it.
- Also meant that he was merciful, seen in the way he handled Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, given his options under the law

Instrument through which the prophecies were fulfilled, through his obedience to God’s will (Matthew 1:22-25)
- Even though that entailed giving up certain rights (Right to know his wife physically, even the right to have a firstborn by her)

The qualities I admire in Joseph, is firstly, how he was both righteous, as well as compassionate, unlike the Pharisees. Even when supposedly wronged by his betrothed, he still thought of her, and how to settle affairs that she would be preserved, even though he had the right to ask for her death.

Secondly, that he was obedient to God’s will, and because of that, God managed to fulfill the prophecies around Jesus through him as an instrument. He had to give up certain rights, which were crucial to God’s plan, such as not consummating his marriage til the birth of Jesus, as that would undoubtedly throw into question the virgin birth, but did so faithfully, so that the will of God would be made manifest.

Mary

Also a descendant of David? (Luke 3:23-38, depending on your interpretation)
Betrothed to be married to Joseph (Luke 1:27)
Virgin (Luke 1:27) and with that, being able to fulfill the prophecy of a virgin birth
Found favour with God (Luke 1:30) likely because she was a faithful believer, who had led an upright life
Supernatural conception (Luke 1:35)

Faithful and willing to submit to the will of God (Luke 1:38)
- Note that she knew perfectly well what she was risking (Ie death by stoning!), and at the very least, divorce by Joseph
- Yet she had faith that God would provide for her, and see His plan to fruition

Humble (Luke 1:48)

Qualities I admire in Mary, was her faithfulness and willingness to submit to God. Even knowing the possible consequences, her acceptance was quick and filled with trust in God’s perfect plan.

She was also humble, in the Magnificat, she makes it quite clear that she does not think of herself as having ‘earned’ this honour in whatever way, but gives glory where it is due, to God.

Elizabeth

Of the priestly line of Aaron (Luke 1:5)
Righteous and upright before God, observed all His commandments and ordinances (Luke 1:6)
Barren (Luke 1:7)
- God had closed her womb all these years, ostensibly a sign of displeasure, but eventually, so that she could be an instrument of His Glory
Conceived in spite of her age and previous barrenness (Luke 1:24)
- This miracle is a sign of the remarkable child that God would give Elizabeth (She was probably way past menopause :p)

Same quality I like in Zechariah is in Elizabeth, which is living her life in strict accordance to the law. Otherwise don’t really have much else :p


Matthew

Also called Levi (Matthew 9:9)
Tax Collector (Matthew 10:3)
One of the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:3)
Left everything to follow Christ (Luke 5:27-28)
- Knowing how wealthy tax collectors were, Matthew must have given up a lot, to follow Jesus

Aimed his Gospel primarily at the Jews
- Multiple OT references, as well as tracing Jesus’ descent from Abraham, the father of all Jews
- Cites Jewish custom without explaining it
- Theme is that of portraying Jesus as the promised Messiah, King of the Jews

Mark

Cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10)
Accompanied Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 12:25, 13:5)
Deserted them halfway (Acts 13:13)
Eventually proved himself to Paul (2 Tim 4:11)
Close relationship with the Apostle Peter (1 Pet 5:13)

Mark’s Gospel was more of Peter’s memoirs, and aimed at Gentiles (esp Romans)
- translated Aramaic terms for them
- Used Latin expressions of Greek equivalents
- Carefully explained Jewish customs
- Theme is that of Jesus as the suffering servant, emphasized Christ’s human emotions and human limitations


Luke

Was a Gentile (Col 4:11,14)
Frequent companion of Paul (Acts16:9,10, 2 Tim 4:11)
Doctor (Col 4:14)

His writing style was that of a meticulous historian, and had compiled his Gospel from a variety of sources

Terence