The Encourager
“Reading Luke Today - Jeff Curtis”
Reading Luke Today
By Jeff Curtis
David Alan Black said, “Of the four canonical Gospels, Luke conforms most clearly to the contemporary convention of bios literature – the genre of ancient biographies” Such a biography is typically highlighted by the hero’s virtues, beginning with his being favored by the gods. It’s told how exhibited the moral and physical excellence that led everyone to admire him and what great things he had done on behalf of his nation.
The hero would successfully confront the jealousy and enmity of his enemies and, by doing nobly, would display the qualities of life at its best. The work typically concluded with an epilogue extolling the lasting benefits of his life. All those components are noticeably applied to Jesus in Luke. As we view the life of Jesus, what can we obtain by reading this Gospel Account?
We find encouragement from the Exalted One. When we compact all that is told about Jesus in Luke’s Gospel Account into a concise summary, we will be encouraged to serve Him today. The angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth serves us well in that regard (2:10-14). Everything in Luke’s Gospel Account elaborates on this announcement. There would be no greater prophet than John (7:28); but Jesus was the promised “Christ,” the anointed Son of David, and therefore “Lord.” He was also the “Savior,” the One who would deliver people from their sins and associated troubles. As Christ, He fulfilled God’s promises as the long-awaited King. As Lord, He established God’s kingdom (Acts 2:36). As Savior, He provided the deliverance and liberty the prophets had promised and for which the people so desperately longed (Isa. 58:6; 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19). Taken together, these descriptions present Jesus in the most excellent of terms.
We Obtain courage to face suffering on the way to glory. Jesus was born to and lived among the lowly (1:48,52). Throughout His ministry, He welcomed those who were not always valued and accepted in their culture (5:29-32). He also identified with them in another way. In His most pronounced reversal of the world’s standards, Jesus showed that the way to glory is through suffering. He called all who follow him to travel that road.
We can receive understanding of what it means to be saved. The picture of exaltation, glorification, and service, coupled with Jesus’ care for the lowly, makes this Gospel Account especially valuable for understanding what it means to be saved, to come to know God, and to follow His Son.
We can also discover direction for living in a confusing world. The certainty Luke offers in turbulent times is increasingly welcome at a time when the sincerity of the search for God (or the meaning of life) is considered more important than actually finding the right way. When all ways are believed to be equally right, the person who claims for only one way will be met with confusion from some hostility from others.
Luke and his fellow believers in the Roman-controlled world of the first century would understand. They were a small minority among hundreds of religions, philosophies, and cults.
Conclusion. Luke’s words remind us that there are excellent reasons to follow Jesus’ way, to “know the truth” about what we have been taught.
