Reading Luke | Together Through the New Testament 2010 | Week 3
The Gospel of Luke begins with these words:
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4 ESV
This book was written so that we would have "certainty about the things we have been taught." So what does that include? What themes is Luke trying to give us certainty on? We can probably guess at some of them. Certainty about the details of Jesus life. Certainty about the basics of the gospel. Certainty about the Resurrection. But the question I have is this, "What else is Luke trying to give us certainty about?" In his commentary on Luke, Dr. Walter Liefeld gives a helpful list of the themes found in this Gospel. Here is my summary of his list:
Themes in Luke
- Jesus
- The Glory of God
- The Cross
- Salvation
- The Holy Spirit
- Prayer
- Miracles
- Sense of destiny (the providence of God)
- Prophecy and fulfillment
- Israel and the people of God
- The End Times
- Discipleship and the Christian in the world
- The word of God
As you read through Luke this week, focus on two or three of these themes. Maybe you should pick themes that you are less "certain" about. For example, are you struggling with prayer? Ask God to use the Gospel of Luke to give you the certainty that prayer is real, significant, powerful and necessary for the Christian. Unclear about how Jesus' death on the cross relates to your life? Reading Luke with an eye on the cross will strengthen your understanding of how it relates to you. It will give you certainty.
So pick two or three and think about them as you go about your week. Look for them as you read. Pray that God would show you them in Luke. And pray that he would cause you to have the kind of certainty that translates into trust and action. And keep reading...don't give up!
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