Luke

Luke

Finding the Context:

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

Theophilus was the reader that Luke was written to. He was someone who had been taught the truth. The book of Luke was written so that he would be certain of this truth (1:3). He was most likely a gentile seeing as his name is not Jewish. You also find that the author has to explain parts of Jewish culture to him (20:27; 23:56).

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

Luke is traditionally considered to be the author of this book. Luke was not one of the original disciples but is known to have been a medical doctor. We do not know much about else about him from this book.

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

The main idea that Luke wanted to convey in this book is that salvation is for all peoples.

Salvation is the main theme found in this book. Over and over Luke provides its readers with parables revealing God’s salvation. Luke reveals that this salvation is for everyone, not simply the Jews (15; 18:10-14; 23:47).

You also see a strong emphasis placed on miracles in this book. Luke is full of stories which would have shown its readers that Jesus had power from God to do incredible signs and wonders, proving He was the Messiah (4:33-39; 5:4-25; 6:6-11; 7:1-10; 8: 27-38; 40-55; 9:15-17; 17:11-19; 18:35-43).

You also see faith is mentioned several times in this book. You find that Jesus forgave a man based on the faith of his friends (5:20), you see the story of the faith of the centurion (7:1-10), the faith of an immoral women who comes to worship at Jesus’ feet (7:36-50), the disciples are rebuked for their lack of faith (8:22-25), a women is healed due to her faith (8:42-48) and Jesus’ followers are rebuked for not believing what the prophets wrote about Him (24:15). Since there are frequent stories throughout Luke of Jesus healing people and doing miracles, it is not surprising that faith is mentioned several times because the two often go in hand in hand. 

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

Luke was written in order to disciple Theophilus. The author says that he investigated the other accounts that had been written about Jesus and chose to write this copy so that Theophilus could have certainty about the truth that He had previously learned (1:1-4). On a larger scale it was also written to show that salvation was not just for Jews, but was for Gentiles as well. (1:3,4; 7:1-10;15; 13:29,30; 14:16-24;19:9,10; 23:47).

Theme Tracing:

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

Jesus had a heart of compassion for everyone. He was not a respecter of persons. Over and over you find Him associating with and accepting people who would have been considered the lowest and most unclean of everyone. He first announced his birth to shepherds (2:8-18), accepted an immoral women (7:36-50), healed a demon possessed man who nobody wanted to be around (8:26-39), was touched by an unclean women whom He accepted (8:42-48), and associated with tax collectors like Zaccheaus (19:1-10). Even Jesus’ 12 disciples were ordinary men who would not have been considered anything significant by any religious leader of that time. Jesus reveals through the book of Luke that He loves every person no matter who they are. This coincides with the emphasis on salvation to all that is given in this book.

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In Luke you see Jesus revealed as the Savior of the world. Jesus states at the end of the book that forgiveness for sins is for all (24:27). He states several times in the book who He actually is (4:18,19; 9:20-22; 18:31-33). At His birth Jesus is announced as the Son of the Most High and the descendant of King David (1:32). You also see that Jesus claims to be the Son of Man and predicts His second coming (21:27,28; 22:69). At the end of Luke, you also find the promise that the Holy Spirit will be sent which is the next major event to come after Jesus’ ascension (24:49). 

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

Through reading Luke, I was reminded of the importance of allowing my light to shine. In 8:16-17 it says that light is not given to hide but to be put out for all to see. God wants me to use the light that He has given me to bless others and bring them closer to Him and His will. I am to freely give that light to others just as it has freely been given to me. It is not something that I am to keep to myself or hide away somewhere. Rather, I am to take the light of salvation and the light of revelation that He shines upon me and reflect that light out into the world. But it first of all starts with loving Jesus and pursuing Him. The more I look at Jesus, the more my image becomes pure and mirrors His image. Through looking at Him I end up becoming a reflector of the light that He shines on me.  

2.     Point of Passion

I find it interesting that both John and Jesus, the two men who the Old Testament closes with prophecy about, end up living in the wilderness before they are called into public ministry. Luke 1:80 says that John lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry. Chapter 4 verse 1 says that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Verse 14 says that he then returns in the power of the Spirit. People don’t normally say they enjoy the “wilderness experience”. Yet, here you find the prophet that prepared the way for the Messiah and the Messiah Himself being led into the wilderness prior to their public ministries. Any leader that God calls to public ministry will have to go through some type of wilderness experience at some point or another. These times, as difficult as they are, should be embraced. That is where Jesus Himself received the power from the Holy Spirit that He lived out in His public ministry. What God does in secret eventually comes out into the light (8:17). The wilderness is often a place where you end up wrestling alone with God. Yet, God eventually brings the fruit of that dry experience out into the light in amazing ways.