“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” – Luke 1:1-4

We are certainly blessed to have not one, but four accounts of the life of Jesus in our possession today. All four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, eloquently express the good news of salvation from four unique, but different perspectives. Each are rich in truth, serving as trustworthy milestones for the Christian walk.

The gospel of Luke is particularly interesting because it has several unique characteristics. It is the only book (besides Acts) in the Bible written by a non-Jew to a non-Jew. It is written to a man named Theophilus who apparently served in the Roman hierarchy and highly likely a new convert (vs. 4). Theophilus in Greek means “Friend of God” thus paving the way for future readers to assume it is a personal account of Christ written specifically to them (i.e. you and I!). It is also the only gospel to have a prologue or proper literary introduction where Luke clearly makes his intentions for writing known. 

It is in this prologue that we find some thought-provoking facts. First of all, Luke counts himself as one of the saved (by use of the 3^rd person plural pronoun “us”), more than likely led to Christ by the apostle Paul. Second, Luke, being a physician, earnestly sought to expose the truth of Christ by interviewing eyewitnesses of His life. These eyewitnesses included many people besides the well-known apostles so as to add credence to his writings. Finally, as if to clarify that many biased and blasphemous half-truth accounts were available in his day, Luke makes it blaringly obvious that there was a great need to have a detailed true account of the life and times of Christ Jesus.

Luke is a wonderful gospel to read, rich in truth and powerful in content and meaning. Believers young and old can extract meaningful nuggets of wisdom applicable to a life of obedience and worship. I hope that you will spend time this year to soak in the wonderful Word of God.

In Christ,

Dave

Questions to Ponder:

1.  Luke is written from a Gentile (non-Jew) perspective. This fact makes it especially applicable to many of us since we are, for the most part, Gentiles, too. The biggest difference between a Jew and a Gentile, even today, is that Gentiles are not generally schooled in the Old Testament or Law and its uses and applicability to the New Testament.  Can you identify any stories or parables specific to Luke that help close that gap?

2.  Compare and contrast the reactions that Zechariah and Elizabeth had to God as opposed to how Mary reacted.

3.  How does Luke tie in the Old Testament with the New Testament in Luke 1:17?  Remember the closing verse in the Old Testament in Malachi 4:6.

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