Prologue 

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     In 585 B.C., the Lord chose the worst time in Israel's history to prophesy its magnificent future, yet to arrive. Excerpts from Jeremiah chapters 30-33: 

     "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."

     "For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more."

     "I will heal my people and let them enjoy abundant peace." 

     "Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations...and they will be in awe."

     "They will serve the Lord their God and David (the Messiah) their king, whom I will raise up for them." Then off to Babylonian exile they went. 

      About 30 years after the ascension of Jesus, missionary Luke writes about "eyewitnesses" and "carefully investigated" events. 

     An angel had told Jewish priest Zechariah that he and his barren wife Elizabeth - both "well along in years" - will have a son. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit like the prophet Elijah. He would be named John, not a Jewish name. Zechariah praised the "Lord, the God of Israel, who would raise up a horn of salvation." 

     Months later, the angel Gabriel told a virgin, Mary, that she will have a son, and to name him Jesus. "He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever." 

     Thirty years later, John "prepares the way," preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." He tells the crowd at the Jordan River, one is coming "who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Jesus appeared, told John to baptize him (in water), and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my Son..." 

I have an obligation that requires me to delay commentary on Acts.

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 23. Until then, peace!