Divine Coincidences?

Luke 1

The first chapter of Luke is not the frequently read chapter of this book.  Usually Luke 2 is read repeatedly during the Christmas season.  But I’m focusing on the first chapter today and actually started my focus on this yesterday.

There’s so much I have never seen before.  Take the introduction, for example.  Luke explains that though many have written about the events surrounding Jesus’ birth and life, he’s going to write an accurate account of it too – after careful investigation of everything.  You can tell he’s a doctor with his attention to detail and accuracy.  There is no other book in the Bible that begins in this manner.  Luke firmly states he’s doing this so Theophilus, and you & I of course, can be certain of the truth.  This is the first of many things in this chapter that I find fascinating.

The next part that grips me is the way God orchestrated the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus.  Just look at the facts, which some might call divine coincidences.

The “Just Happens”……….

• Zacharias and Elizabeth just happen to be in the priestly line of Aaron – not just Zacharias, but Elizabeth too.  When the bible talks about lineage, rarely does it mention the lineage of a woman.
• Zacharias just happens to be taking his turn tending to the burning of incense in the temple which is done completely out of sight from everyone else in the temple.  This sets the scene perfectly for the visitation of Gabriel.
• Then it just happens that after Zacharias goes home – bam – Elizabeth becomes pregnant, just like Gabriel said.
• 6 months later the same angel, Gabriel, visits Mary, who is, by the way, a virgin.  Gabriel announces she will be pregnant without being with a man. And oh by the way, this baby is the Messiah, the Son of God.  Whoa………….
• Mary just happens to accept the message and a few days later heads to see her relative, Elizabeth.  Mary has heard through family that Elizabeth is pregnant and that it’s a miracle.  Mary is drawn to go see Elizabeth – coincidence?
• When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, baby John inside her does a flip.  At 6 months that would have been a bit jolting since the baby is a good size by then.  Baby John just happens to be chosen by God before conception to be the one who will announce to everyone that Jesus is coming, so repent and get ready.  Baby John just happens to be a huge piece in the overall story of Jesus’ ministry beginning.
• Mary just happens to be so moved with what Elizabeth has confirmed that she breaks into an amazing song of praise.  This very young girl just happens to be righteous and spiritually wise beyond her years.  She just happens to be able to connect all the dots of prophecy and 100% believe she is, in fact, carrying the Messiah – without having been instructed by a scripturally knowledgeable male, which was the only way women gained scriptural knowledge at that time.
• John the Baptist is born and Zacharias just happens to suddenly be able to talk after 9+ months of being mute.
• After being mute for 9+ months, Zacharias isn’t just able to talk, he speaks a prophecy about Jesus and his son, John, who will be a prophet of the Most High. Zacharias just happens to have this deep insight.

That’s an awful lot of “just happens”.  My God is so amazing in performing mighty works, of making the impossible, possible.  I see His hand in every piece of the story – mine too.

No coincidence………….God knew.

That’s my take away from all this.  God is working all the stuff of my life together too.  He knew before I was born that I would marry Tracy.  He knew the life we would have together.  He knew all the struggles and lessons learned.  He knew Tracy’s life would end before mine.  He knew the journey I would embark on as I said goodbye to Tracy.  He knew the calling I would embrace and the path this tragedy would cause me to walk.  He knew I would face challenges and loneliness.  He knows where I am going and whether it will be alone or with someone to walk beside.  He knows it all.  To Him my life isn’t a mystery, it’s history.  He already knows how it will all play out.  And so…..there really are no coincidences.  Everything happens for a reason.  Every person He places on my journey is important, so I must trust Him.

This reminds me of a song – a hymn actually.  “There’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  I may not know what my future holds.  But I know I can trust Him.  And – I know I must obey – do what I know He calls me to do.  And so…………even when it’s hard, even when my heart is breaking, even when I don’t understand – – – I will trust and obey – – – because there are no divine coincidences.  God is totally and completely in control.  He’s the author of the play.