Luke was a physician, not a disciple. The amount of detail that doctors put into their work is why I was drawn to Luke. Also, Why to Fitness helps people live healthier, more fulfilled lives, just like physicians should.

The following notes and commentary are how faith and fitness are connected.

Verse 1-4: Fiction was invented in the 1170s by Chretien de Troyes with King Arthur and the knights of the round table. These accounts were written everywhere. This is one of the countless ways we know the story of Jesus to be true.

Verse 15: John turned the hearts of fathers to their children. Too often, fathers and parents are about selfishly being the best. It is more important to be a good parent than it is to understand their children.

Verse 20: Zechariah doubted, and because so, he lost his speech.

What are you unnecessarily dealing with because you doubt?

Verse 21-22: It is important to surround yourself with people with the same values and knowledge, and truths as you. If not, when something happens out of the ordinary, they will not even understand you, let alone be able to help you.

Verse 28: Mary was favored and chosen not because of money or status.

Verse 30: You find favor with God before He grants a favor for you.

Verse 34-36: God causes and works against the natural ways of how the world works. You do not have to understand; you need to have faith. As with Elizabeth, people will all you unable, doctors will say you cannot, but God still did.

Verse 37: The word of God never fails. What do you believe about the word of God? How do you do differently with fitness than what the word of God states?

Verse 38: Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Since she was a favored servant, God gave the greatest gift and did the greatest miracle for and to her, Jesus.

Verse 41: Being near and close to God/Jesus, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She then knew without Mary telling her.

Verse 45: You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said. Do you believe the Lord will do what He says when it comes to your situation? Do you believe you will obtain all you desire? If not, is it a lack of faith or because it is not in alignment for or with your purpose?

Verse 48: Mary was a lowly servant girl. How is your current situation affecting your worship, praise, or faith? Mary was favored and trusted God despite being broke. Despite her situation, she was more blessed than any other woman because of her faith.

Verse 50: God shows mercy to those who fear Him, not those who believe in Him. What does it mean to fear Him to you? Do you fear Him when you decide to do it your way? NO!

Verse 51-55: God is not going to use or give power to those with security in worldly status and possessions. Why then take advice about God’s temple (our bodies) from those that are proud, haughty or those that glorify their own methods and ways?

Verse 57-58 Everyone rejoiced because of Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s original faith that produced the fruit called “John.”

Verse 64-65 The first thing Zechariah did after God took his speech away for 9+months and gave him a child was to praise God. When you obtain something, what is your first response? Do you praise your efforts or God? If you praise your effort, discipline, desire, and actions from the start, why would God give you the result? Are you relying already on your effort, discipline, or the worldly ways of others? Where is your worship starting?

Verse 67-75 Then Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit.

  • Zechariah was favored, so the angel appeared to him, and God chose him.
  • He then doubted so he experienced unneeded hardship.
  • Zechariah remained faithful, despite the obvious hardships.
  • He then chose to worship and focus on God instead of himself, his diligence, hard work, and seed.
  • After all of this, he then gets filled by the Holy Spirit.
  • Then he can provide wisdom about the future that he never knew before. (prophecy)
  • He was able to see the past covenants and relate them to what was happening and will happen.

Verse 76: Zechariah was filled with so much purpose, knowing he was raising and was father to a prophet preparing the way for the Lord. Imagine the next years and how Zechariah would now act with such an honored position as a father. When we are close to God, He then provides the purpose and all we need to have a paradigm shift to enjoy life more, feel more comfortable, etc.

Verse 80: Jesus basically said that John was the most righteous man ever to live. He lived in the wilderness, eating insects and wearing minimal clothing. He stayed away from worldly distractions to be focused on God to be filled with all he needed for his purpose/ministry.