Page 8 - A MEASURE OF FAITH

Know therefore that the lord you’re God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps
covenant and mercy with them who love him and keep his commandments to a

thousand generations. (Deut. 7:9)

7. The Synoptic Gospels.

In the days of old the people of God based put their trust and confidence in him
based on the promises God made to them in his word. We find this aspect
reflected in the first chapter of the book of Luke.

In the opening pages of Luke’s gospel we find the story of Zechariah and his
encounter with angel Gabriel. When Zechariah went into the temple to offer the
morning sacrifice as was the custom of the priesthood the angel of the lord

appeared to him standing at the right side of the alter of incense.

When the angel’s appearance caused the man to feel terrified the angel spoke to
the priest and told him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you will give him the name John. He will
be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will
be great in the sight of the lord” (Luke 1:13-15)

In disbelief Zechariah asked the angel to give him assurance that what he was
being told would indeed come to pass, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old
man and my wife is well along in years”

Angel Gabriel replied thus, “I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent
to speak to you this good news. Zechariah you will be unable to speak until this
happens for you refused to listen to my words” (Luke 1:19-20)

One night two of the disciples were on the road to Emmaus when Jesus
appeared to them as the two were deep in conversation concerning the events

that had happened recently.

As the two men made their way in the night their eyes were kept from
recognizing the third man on this journey. One of them called Cleopas asked the

stranger, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that
happened there in these days?”

“What things” the third man asked? The two men continued retelling the events
that had occurred in the city to this stranger as he was clearly oblivious to what
the two were talking about.

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