The Four Gospels, Part 3

I’ve stated that the writers of the four gospels may be compared to four artists. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each painted their own portrait of Jesus Christ. They painted with words, divinely inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). With warm hues Luke painted a portrait of Christ as thoroughly human; the man “par excellence.”

Luke was not Jewish like Matthew or Mark. He was a Gentile. Luke was also a physician (Colossians 4:14) a faithful companion of the Apostle Paul (Acts 16:10) and a very skillful historian.  Luke had never met Jesus, yet he chose to follow him. The evidence was compelling. Luke wrote, “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed (Luke 1:1-4).”

Along with Mark’s gospel Luke was written for a non-Jewish audience. For example, he explained that Capernaum is a city in Galilee (4:31 and that the country of the Gerasenes is over against Galilee (8:26) and that the town of Emmaus is seven miles from Jerusalem. All of these things would have been known by those living in Israel. And it is unique in that it is the only gospel with a sequel: the book of Acts.

The name “Theophilus” is Greek and means “lover of God.” The designation “most excellent” signifies that “Theophilus” was a Roman dignitary, perhaps one of those individuals who had come to faith in Christ in Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). The Roman world at the time was desperate to understand the dignity of humanity. Therefore, Luke focuses upon Jesus as the perfect example of humanity; the ideal man.

 

·         Luke gives the most complete record of Jesus’ conception, birth and childhood (Luke 1 & 2).

·         Our historian traces the lineage of Jesus not just to David and Abraham, but all the way back to Adam (3:38), the first human being.

·         The compassion of Christ is seen as he weeps over Jerusalem (19:41).

·         His agony over the crucifixion is seen as his sweat is like great drops of blood (22:44).

·         And Christ’s dependence upon God is seen as Jesus is seen praying more in Luke then in any other gospel.

·         Luke’s gospel is also the first to inform the disciples to wait for the promised power from on high, gift of the holy Spirit which would be given to every believer (24:49; Acts 1:8). The same Spirit of God that enabled Jesus (Acts 10:38) would now empower his disciples.

Luke’s message is worldwide in its thrust. He mentions the angel, who at Jesus’ birth announced “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people (2:10).” He records the prophecy of Simeon, who declared that Jesus would be “light to bring revelation to the Gentiles (2:32). Most importantly Luke’s gospel shows that “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (19:10).” The well-known parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and the prodigal son are all found in the 15^th chapter of Luke.

As I mentioned earlier, Luke had never seen Jesus Christ. But he researched all the information and set it in order in a book so “that you may know the certainty of those things” concerning God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ. Take the time to read the gospel of Luke and be assured of the goodness and kindness of God who offered His Son for our salvation and everlasting joy.