Luke 1:3-4
"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."
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Luke was a physician and the only non-Jewish writer of the Bible, who wrote about the Perfect Man, Jesus. Tell me, who better than a doctor, familiar with the physical workings of man, to write about the Perfect Man?
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God's Word Deals In Certainty.
He wrote his gospel in a letter to a young believer named, "Theophilus," so that he would know "the CERTAINTY of those things in which you were instructed." How many young people today lack that sense of certainty? No wonder they turn to drugs, alcohol, and hedonistic lifestyles. They have no security, no sure foundation.
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God's Word Deals In Certainty.
He wrote his gospel in a letter to a young believer named, "Theophilus," so that he would know "the CERTAINTY of those things in which you were instructed." How many young people today lack that sense of certainty? No wonder they turn to drugs, alcohol, and hedonistic lifestyles. They have no security, no sure foundation.
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Priestly Gospel.
Priestly Gospel.
Luke opens up with the story of John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, who was a priest.
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Luke 1: 5"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years."
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Son Of Man.
Luke portrays Jesus as the Son of Man in his account of His life. This particular phrase appears more often in Luke's Gospel that in any other. He documents not only His birth but His genealogy, proving He descended bodily from Adam. He didn't take on human form like invasion of the body snatchers or something. He was fully human. 100% man; 100% God.
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This gospel reveals the glory of this perfect. Man. It is the only one which has any details of His growing up. The story of his birth in Bethlehem is here. We also find only in this gospel the story of Him as a young lad in the temple, asking the doctors of the law questions. When they had no answers, they asked Him. He answered their questions to with such wisdom and understanding that they were utterly amazed!
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From His lineage, traced all the way back to Adam, to His birth, account of Him in the Temple at age 12, to adulthood, Luke proves that Jesus grew up and lived a normal, human life. He grew in grace, in stature, and in favor.
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Deaf And Dumb?
Did you ever notice that, when John was born to Zacharias and Elizabeth, that when they asked the father what they should name the boy, they made "signs to him" what he should be called. If he was only struck dumb, why did they have to make signs? BECAUSE HE WAS NOT JUST DUMB BUT DEAF AS WELL. Otherwise, they could merely speak to him and he could hear them.
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"His Name Is John."
Zacharias asked for a writing tablet and, as you know, wrote John's name on it. John's name means, "God's grace." As soon as wrote his son's name on that tablet, he was once again able to speak.
This is no coincidence! Upon writing the word, "Grace," his voice and hearing returned. That's right, folks: Grace opened his ears and loosed his tongue!
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There is a wonderful message about Jesus in the meanings of the names of John and his parents. To read all about it, follow this link: https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/god-remembered-his-promise/
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First Mention.
The "law of first-mention" is the principle in the interpretation of Scripture which states that the first mention or occurrence of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, with that subject remaining unchanged in the mind of God throughout Scripture.
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The very first mention of a "writing tablet" is in the Old Testament where God wrote on "tablets of stone" the Ten Commandment; and the very first mention of writing tablet in the New Testament is right here, in this story. It's a picture of Law and Grace! Grace is greater than the law!
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Compare And Contrast.
As we saw in the Gospel of Mark, events were listed in chronological order. Not so the book of Luke. The Holy Spirit has purposely placed many chapters side by side to compare and contrast law and grace. Chapter 18 about the rich young ruler and chapter 19 about Zacchaeus, demonstrate to us the differences between the two. Law demands; grace supplies.
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In Luke 18, the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he could "DO" to inherit eternal life, emphasis on, "DO." Zacchaeus, on the other hand, was dealt with totally by grace.
Where the rich young ruler went away and could hardly give up one cent to the poor, the sinner, tax collector Zacchaeus, not only gave back everything he stole to those he robbed but restored four times what he took. Not only that, but half of his goods he gave to the poor. Amazing!
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For more on the topic above, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/where-your-treasure-is/
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Jesus is portrayed in this gospel in very domestic settings, living among the ones He loved so much: Mary, Martha, Lazarus. The Prodigal son is recorded here.
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Why portray Him as a man? Because it is so easy to get caught up in His majesty and might as a holy God that we sometimes forget that He is also fully human. He has human emotions and human sympathies. He doesn’t merely know how we feel: He feels what we feel! He loves us as family!
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The first three gospels are known as the "Synoptic Gospels." They are "Seen together." There are stories in Luke that are found the other two, like the account of the Centurion's beloved servant. These stories, though similar, have important differences.
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Different Strokes For Different Folks.
In Matthew 8 it says that the Centurion came to Jesus and begged Him to heal his servant, which He did. But in the Gospel of Luke there is information that was not mentioned in Matthew. Let's follow the story:
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Luke 7:3-10
"So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick." -
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The Holy Spirit purposely did not have Matthew record that this centurion sent elders of the Jews to Jesus to ask Him to heal his servant; but He allowed Dr. Luke to document the fact. Why?
Because Matthew was writing to the Jews. If he had written that this Roman centurion, this Gentile, had sent elders of the Jews to Jesus, it would build pride in them. But Luke was writing to Gentile believers. Gentiles need to respect Israel, so he let it be known that this man sent Jewish people to speak for him.
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You see, what is included and what is omitted is by Divine intent. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. He wants us to be full of grace which means He wants us to be humble people.
-
From His lineage, traced all the way back to Adam, to His birth, account of Him in the Temple at age 12, to adulthood, Luke proves that Jesus grew up and lived a normal, human life. He grew in grace, in stature, and in favor.
-
Deaf And Dumb?
Did you ever notice that, when John was born to Zacharias and Elizabeth, that when they asked the father what they should name the boy, they made "signs to him" what he should be called. If he was only struck dumb, why did they have to make signs? BECAUSE HE WAS NOT JUST DUMB BUT DEAF AS WELL. Otherwise, they could merely speak to him and he could hear them.
-
-
"His Name Is John."
Zacharias asked for a writing tablet and, as you know, wrote John's name on it. John's name means, "God's grace." As soon as wrote his son's name on that tablet, he was once again able to speak.
This is no coincidence! Upon writing the word, "Grace," his voice and hearing returned. That's right, folks: Grace opened his ears and loosed his tongue!
-
There is a wonderful message about Jesus in the meanings of the names of John and his parents. To read all about it, follow this link: https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/06/29/god-remembered-his-promise/
-
First Mention.
The "law of first-mention" is the principle in the interpretation of Scripture which states that the first mention or occurrence of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, with that subject remaining unchanged in the mind of God throughout Scripture.
-
-
The very first mention of a "writing tablet" is in the Old Testament where God wrote on "tablets of stone" the Ten Commandment; and the very first mention of writing tablet in the New Testament is right here, in this story. It's a picture of Law and Grace! Grace is greater than the law!
-
Compare And Contrast.
As we saw in the Gospel of Mark, events were listed in chronological order. Not so the book of Luke. The Holy Spirit has purposely placed many chapters side by side to compare and contrast law and grace. Chapter 18 about the rich young ruler and chapter 19 about Zacchaeus, demonstrate to us the differences between the two. Law demands; grace supplies.
-
-
In Luke 18, the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he could "DO" to inherit eternal life, emphasis on, "DO." Zacchaeus, on the other hand, was dealt with totally by grace.
Where the rich young ruler went away and could hardly give up one cent to the poor, the sinner, tax collector Zacchaeus, not only gave back everything he stole to those he robbed but restored four times what he took. Not only that, but half of his goods he gave to the poor. Amazing!
-
For more on the topic above, follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/where-your-treasure-is/
-
Jesus is portrayed in this gospel in very domestic settings, living among the ones He loved so much: Mary, Martha, Lazarus. The Prodigal son is recorded here.
-
-
Why portray Him as a man? Because it is so easy to get caught up in His majesty and might as a holy God that we sometimes forget that He is also fully human. He has human emotions and human sympathies. He doesn’t merely know how we feel: He feels what we feel! He loves us as family!
-
The first three gospels are known as the "Synoptic Gospels." They are "Seen together." There are stories in Luke that are found the other two, like the account of the Centurion's beloved servant. These stories, though similar, have important differences.
-
Different Strokes For Different Folks.
In Matthew 8 it says that the Centurion came to Jesus and begged Him to heal his servant, which He did. But in the Gospel of Luke there is information that was not mentioned in Matthew. Let's follow the story:
-
Luke 7:3-10
"So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick." -
The Holy Spirit purposely did not have Matthew record that this centurion sent elders of the Jews to Jesus to ask Him to heal his servant; but He allowed Dr. Luke to document the fact. Why?
Because Matthew was writing to the Jews. If he had written that this Roman centurion, this Gentile, had sent elders of the Jews to Jesus, it would build pride in them. But Luke was writing to Gentile believers. Gentiles need to respect Israel, so he let it be known that this man sent Jewish people to speak for him.
-
-
You see, what is included and what is omitted is by Divine intent. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. He wants us to be full of grace which means He wants us to be humble people.
You see, like water, grace flows to the lowest place. So if you stay low, grace will always find you and lift you up! Not that you have to make yourself low to earn grace, mind you.
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Don't you just love the Bible even more? God is SO AWESOME!!! He knows what to reveal to whom for their greatest benefit!
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Please proceed to Part 7 where we'll talk about the theme of the Gospel of John:
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Don't you just love the Bible even more? God is SO AWESOME!!! He knows what to reveal to whom for their greatest benefit!
-
Please proceed to Part 7 where we'll talk about the theme of the Gospel of John:
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