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.

                                            TOOLS FOR GROWTH

                                                     by David Dann

Are you growing spiritually? Christians are expected to grow up in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote of this need in his letter to the church in Ephesus, saying, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:14-16).

The goal in response to the command should be to put forth the effort to make real spiritual progress in becoming more and more like Christ. When God gives man a command, He also provides the means necessary in order to fulfill that command. What tools has God provided to help each Christian grow?

1. The written word of God. Paul wrote of the spiritual armor of the Christian, saying, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). The word of God equips the child of God to combat the forces of wickedness. The apostle Peter writes, "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:1-2). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must strongly desire, and must make use of, the word of God. Christians will not grow without taking time to read, study, and make proper use of God's word. The Scriptures serve as a tool for spiritual growth.

2. The privilege of prayer to God. The ability to approach God in prayer with the expectation of being heard is a privilege reserved for the faithful. Affirming the words of the psalmist, Peter writes, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Pet. 3:12). Prayer allows the child of God to communicate his praise, thankfulness, fears, desires, and requests to his Creator. Since this is true, Paul instructs Christians to, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must continually make use of the privilege of prayer to God. Christians will not grow without setting aside time to personally approach the God of heaven. Prayer serves as a tool for spiritual growth.

3. The people of God. Paul wrote of the importance of the spiritual relationship shared between Christians, saying, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-13). Fellow Christians, are provided by God in order to help the child of God to grow. To the members of the church in Thessalonica, Paul writes, "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thess. 5:11). In order to grow spiritually, Christians must offer one another the help and encouragement that enables each one to be built up and strengthened in the Lord. Christians will not grow while having little or no connection with other faithful children of God. The people of God serve as a tool for spiritual growth.

Conclusion: Peter concludes his second letter to Christians with the following instruction: "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Pet. 3:17-18). In His word, in the privilege of prayer, and in fellow faithful Christians, God has provided the means by which each child of God can grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Are you making use of these tools for growth?