Luke: Consolation And Comfort For A Suffering Saviour

"Consolation and comfort from a suffering saviour"

The opening two chapters of Luke’s gospel highlight the faithfulness of God as the Old Testament story – a story awaiting a conclusion for a people awaiting consolation – comes to its climax in Jesus. Jesus is revealed as the fulfilment of Jewish hopes for salvation, an expression of God’s mercy and faithfulness to his promises.

Through Simeon and Anna, in Luke 2:21-40, the Spirit of prophecy makes clear to Mary and Joseph what was going on with their child: longed-for consolation and comfort is coming, but the shadow of suffering looms large. Glory in God’s kingdom, unlike Caesar’s, looks very different.