Luke

What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

      The original reader is much more specific here than in the other gospels. The author states he is writing to Theophilus (1:3). Theophilus was not a Jew and that is clear from the text. The author explains Jewish customs to Theophilus as if he did not know about them (11:38). He speaks a lot about salvation and less about Jesus being the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies (5:32, 23:56). The author is clear that salvation is for everyone and not only the Jews. At his birth an angel appeared and said that this baby would be the salvation to all the world (2:10).

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

      Well we don't get too much about Luke from the text but we know that he was a doctor, a gentile, and he knew the apostle Paul. He also wrote the book of Acts. He wanted Theophilus to understand that Jesus was the way to salvation from sin. Luke was also familiar with the Jewish customs (11:38).

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

      Three repeated ideas I found in Luke are faith, salvation, and sin. Sin is mentioned 27 times, faith is mentioned 18 times, and save is found 12 times. The theme of this book is salvation through faith for all people, including gentiles. Luke writes to a gentile and shows how Jesus' new covenant reaches beyond circumcision, pork, and simply being a Jew. Luke explains that Jesus came for everyone, to bring joy to the whole world through his life, death and resurrection. Luke 19:10 explains Jesus' purpose in coming to this earth. To save those who know they are lost, not the ones who think they 

are already saved because of their bloodline.

Summary: Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost throughout the whole world.

What is the primary reason this book is written?

      The primary reason this book is written is to show that salvation is for everyone. Even a criminal on a cross (23:41-43). This book shows that the love of God goes beyond what any human can comprehend. He ate and met with the worst of sinners, those who were despised and loved on them and offered them salvation for their faith . This book gives hope to the world for the forgiveness of their sins.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      The very nature of Jesus is that he is the son of God (1:32-33). Though he came as a baby he still was the incarnate God. He is a messenger of good news for all the world and he is the savior of the whole world (2:11). Jesus came to earth with great power. He had power to read people's minds and authority over demons (4:36). He had the power and authority to forgive sins even before his death on the cross making him equal to God (5:23). God in the New Testament is the same as in the Old. He is full of compassion and he is kind to the unthankful and the wicked (6:36). God gave and gave and gave though he was rejected over and over. He gave even his only son just as in the parable of the man who owned a vineyard (20:9-16). He is overwhelming gracious to those who don't deserve it.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      Jesus is the Messiah, he is the fulfillment of the prophesies, the one who will reign, and the one who will set the captives free (2:10-12, 4:18-19). He is the one he came to rejected, to be mocked, spit upon, and killed, but would rise again (18:31-33). God himself declares who Jesus is as he speaks on a mountain to Peter, James, and John (9:35). Luke 24:46-49 says it best. That long ago it was said that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise again. It was said that he would have authority over all nations to say that there is forgiveness for sins and that the Holy Spirit would be sent to fill us all with the power from heaven.

Personal Application

     I think Jesus' ability to care for and love the weak and poor is amazing.  He didn't just give them charity, but he ate with them and spent valuable time with them.  He didn't do it out of ministry, but it was his life.  It wasn't uncomfortable for him, but normal.  His normal everyday life was lived to its fullest.  Full of love, full of compassion, full of healing, and full of humility.  I look at his life and think how impossible it would be to live anything like he did.  I know the goal isn't to do every single thing just like Jesus did, but to carry the same heart and spirit that he did to the world.  To love my neighbors and to do good to those who hate me.  But to live a normal life of ministry seems so difficult.  I guess I've been challenged to seek that out with God, to try and understand how he wants me to live that out in daily life. 


Point of Passion (Bronx, NYC)

     I think the one message that needs to be known is that Jesus is Lord.  He's not a storybook character or someone who's life and message got blown out of proportion.  He's God, He's the Messiah.  The amount of ancient documents and archeology that support the bible is hard not to consider.  Not only do we believe Jesus is the only way and that his story is truth, we have thousands of years of evidence that support that the bible is a real document put together over thousands of years.  Moses, Abraham and Isaac lived and they spoke of someone who was coming.  Jesus was that man as clearly shown in the gospels.  You can put your faith in Jesus Christ and he will make himself known to you.  He's not silent and his love is endless.