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…