Luke 1-2: “He Will”: The Grammar of Hope in Luke’s Christmas Story

One striking feature of Luke’s Christmas narrative (Luke 1–2) is the repeated use of the word “will.” Again and again, angels speak in the future tense: He will be great… You will conceive… You will find a baby… This is more than a stylistic choice. In Luke’s Gospel, “will” becomes the language of divine certainty and hope.

In biblical storytelling, especially in prophetic speech, “will” does not express mere possibility. It declares what God has already determined. When the angel tells Mary, “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,” the future is spoken as settled reality. Luke wants his readers to know that the birth of Jesus is not accidental or reactive—it is the unfolding of God’s long-promised plan.

At the same time, “will” echoes God’s covenant faithfulness. The promises made to Abraham and David are no longer distant hopes; they are moving toward fulfillment. Luke’s narrative assures us that God remembers His word, even after centuries of silence. What He promised, He will accomplish.

Interestingly, many of these “will” statements also function as gentle instructions. “You will call his name Jesus.” “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths.” God does not issue harsh commands; instead, He declares what will be, inviting human obedience into His purposes. Mary’s response—“Let it be to me according to your word”—models faith that rests in God’s declared future.

For Luke’s readers, especially the poor and marginalized, this repeated “will” becomes a grammar of hope. It assures them that God is acting decisively on their behalf. Salvation is not wishful thinking—it is a future guaranteed by God’s faithfulness.

In Luke’s Christmas story, “will” reminds us that history is moving toward God’s redemptive goal. Christmas is not just about what has happened, but about what God will surely bring to completion through Jesus Christ.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Faith and Faithfulness: The Covenant विश्वास र विश्वासयोग्यता : वाचा

Image
 “On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws.” — Joshua 24:25 “यहोशूले त्‍यही दिन मानिसहरूसँग करार बाँधे, र शेखेममा तिनीहरूका निम्ति विधि र विधान बनाए।” — यहोशू २४:२५ The theme “Faith and Faithfulness: The Covenant” reminds us of God’s unchanging relationship with His people throughout Scripture. A covenant is not merely a contract—it is a sacred bond grounded in trust, love, and divine promise . From Noah to Abraham, Moses, David , and finally Jesus Christ , each covenant revealed a new depth of God’s faithfulness and grace. In Joshua 24 , at Shechem—the Valley of Generations , Joshua gathered all Israel and renewed their covenant with God. He reminded them of the Lord’s faithful acts and called them to serve Him alone. The people responded, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey Him.” (Joshua 24:24) Today, this message calls us to renew our covenant with God and our families. Like Joshua, we can de...
Read more

Psalm 78: Raising the Next Generation

Image
Psalms 78 1 Give ear, O my people,  to  my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a  parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide  them  from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the  Lord , And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For  He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That  they should make them known to their children; 6 That the generation to come might know  them, The children  who  would be born, That  they may arise and declare  them  to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments. Psalm 78 reminds us that every generation has a sacred duty—to pass on the knowledge of God and His mighty works so that the next generat...
Read more

Luke 1:37 “When Little Faith Meets a Great God”

Image
In every season of life, God gently invites us to trust Him more deeply. The story of Mary in Luke 1 and Jesus’ teachings on “little faith” throughout the Gospels remind us that faith is not about the size of our confidence but the surrender of our hearts. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37) is not just a verse—it is a divine promise that stands firm across generations. Mary’s response to the angel is a beautiful picture of humble faith. She did not fully understand God’s plan, yet she said, “I am the Lord’s servant… let it be to me according to your word.” Her faith was not loud or complicated. It was simple, surrendered, and rooted in complete humility— Fully Abandoned In Total Humility. That is FAITH. Jesus repeatedly addressed His disciples as “you of little faith”—not to shame them, but to draw them into deeper dependence on Him. When they worried about food and clothing (Matthew 6), when fear overwhelmed them in the storm (Matthew 8), when doubt made Peter ...
Read more