Tag Archives: Luke

LUKE’S GOSPEL…A CAREFUL RECORD – 1

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Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Nothing recorded and preserved in Scripture is there by chance. Let’s take a step back and view Luke’s story of Jesus within God’s purpose and the greater scheme of things. 

Was it by chance or by design that Luke shone the light on the humanity of Jesus? His research and his carefully-crafted report brings to the surface a man, although He was undoubtedly God,  who was an equally a human in every sense of the word. 

Why was it important for Theophililus, his target recipient, to have accurate details about Jesus in whom he had obviously come to believe? If one has put one’s life and destiny into the hands of someone who claims to be both God and man, at last one must be sure of His credentials. 

“Luke was a physician and companion of Paul, while Theophilus was a high-ranking individual (possibly a Roman official or patron) to whom Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts to provide an accurate, faith-building account of Jesus and the early Church. Theophilus’ name means “friend of God,” and Luke’s detailed, eyewitness-style writing aimed to solidify his faith and understanding.” (Source: Google)

How did Luke know Paul? We don’t know. Luke was a Gentile, Paul’s companion on some of his journeys and a loved and trusted fellow-believer.  Paul’s calling to evangelise the Gentiles suggests that this association began through Paul’s preaching to the Gentiles. Then, perhaps, Luke influenced Theophilus and out of these associations, he wrote his record of Jesus and the of the early church to provide the foundation for Theophilus’ faith, culminating with Paul’s eventual destination…Rome!

“Scholars have noted that Luke had an outstanding command of the Greek language. His vocabulary is extensive and rich, and his style at times approaches that of classical Greek, as in the preface of his gospel (Luke 1:1–4), while at other times it seems quite Semitic (Luke 1:5—2:52). He was familiar with sailing and had a special love for recording geographical details. All this would indicate that Luke was a well-educated, observant, and careful writer.” 

(Source: got questions.org – “Who was Luke in the Bible?”)

Luke was neither an eyewitness nor a servant of the word, but one who used these records as part of his “careful investigation” around which he built his narrative. 

Luke had the credentials to be the author of two books included in the canon of Scripture. He was a careful, accurate, and accomplished writer, adding another dimension to the story of Jesus. His background in medicine, in keeping with his times, gave him a special interest in Jesus’ healing ministry. His own history and that of Theophilus as Gentiles was in line with prophecy…that Jesus came for Jew and Gentile. 

So, his “mini-biography” of Jesus begins… not with Jesus Himself but with the birth of John the Baptist, a key figure in prophecy and in the narrative of the God-man. 

Can we trust the authenticity of Luke’s version of Jesus? Does it match up with the Jewish writers who were associates and companions of Jesus or, In the case of Mark, a close associate of a disciple…Peter? The ancient scholars who carefully complied the canon of Scripture, said a resounding “Yes!”  

To be continued…

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE – LUKE’S STORY BEGINS

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LUKE’S STORY BEGINS

“During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honourably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.” Luke 1:5-7.

Luke’s story beings with simple facts. An elderly priest and his wife, Zachariah and Elizabeth, form the focus of the opening paragraph. Why does Luke make special mention that they were a godly old couple? They lived their lives within the boundaries of God’s law and because of that, they both had a clear conscience before God.

Was it that there were others who were not as careful as they were in being honourable in their lives and service in the temple? It is sad that Luke should even have to comment on their blameless lives, seeing that Zachariah was a genuine Levitical priest of the regiment of Abijah. It should have been a given!

Luke states three simple facts about this couple in his opening paragraph; they elderly, they were godly and they were childless. Each of these facts plays an important part in their story and adds to the ‘wow’ factor that makes their contribution so extraordinary.

Being godly prepared them to be chosen parents for Israel’s greatest prophet, John the Baptist. He was the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophetic vision in Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’ Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill be made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (NIV).

He was to play a brief but crucial role in preparing the way for, and identifying the Messiah. He would be nurtured from birth by faithful parents who would teach him God’s Word and prepare him for his prophetic role.

They were elderly and childless – reminiscent of Israel’s forefather, Abraham, and Sarah, who received the miracle of a child in their old age. Because Zachariah and Elizabeth were beyond the possibility of conceiving a child naturally, they were candidates for God’s miraculous intervention. Why did God choose this way of bringing His ‘Elijah’ into the world? Why not some ordinary village kid whom He could set apart for this ministry?

God had His reasons but it is possible that He would call attention to this special child by allowing him to be conceived miraculously in his parents’ old age. God chose this couple because John needed to be raised by godly parents who would recognise the seriousness of their responsibility.

Luke sets the scene for the entrance of John by describing an impossible situation as the backdrop to the things He was going to do to introduce His Messiah to the world. John’s parents were childless and too old; Jesus’ mother was unmarried. None of these things mattered to God. He would use these very ‘impossibilities’ to enhance the glory of His revelation to the world.