Who was Luke?
Luke is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Key points about Luke include:
Physician:
Luke is described as a physician, as noted in Colossians 4:14: "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."
Companion of Paul:
Luke was a companion of the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. This is evident from the "we" passages in Acts, which suggest that the author was a participant in the events.
Gentile:
Luke is often thought to be a Gentile (non-Jew), making him unique among the New Testament writers. This perspective might have influenced the universal themes in his writings.
Luke, traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, was not a direct eyewitness of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Instead, Luke compiled his Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles based on meticulous research and interviews with those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection.
Here’s how Luke's approach to witnessing Jesus can be understood:
Historical Investigation: Luke explicitly states his methodology at the beginning of his Gospel. He writes to Theophilus, stating that he has "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" and has "decided to write an orderly account" (Luke 1:1-4). This indicates that Luke gathered information from various sources, including eyewitness testimonies.
Eyewitness Testimonies: While Luke himself was not a direct eyewitness, he had access to those who were. He likely interviewed and consulted with apostles, disciples, and others who had personal encounters with Jesus. This allowed him to compile a thorough and accurate narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
Companionship with Paul: Luke traveled extensively with the apostle Paul during his missionary journeys (as indicated by the "we" passages in Acts, where the narrative shifts to the first person plural). While this does not provide firsthand knowledge of Jesus' ministry, it gave Luke a deep understanding of early Christian teachings and the spread of the gospel.
Divine Inspiration: Like all Scripture, Luke's writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While Luke’s Gospel and Acts are grounded in historical research, they are also guided by divine inspiration to ensure accuracy and theological significance.
The Gospel of Luke emphasizes several main themes, reflecting its unique perspective and theological concerns. Here are some of the key themes:
Jesus as the Savior for All People:
Luke portrays Jesus as the universal Savior, emphasizing that his message and salvation are available to all, including Gentiles, Samaritans, women, the poor, and sinners.
The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is prominently featured throughout Luke, from the announcement of Jesus' birth to his ministry and beyond. The Spirit's guidance and empowerment are central themes.
Compassion for the Marginalized:
Luke highlights Jesus' compassion and outreach to the poor, the oppressed, women, children, and social outcasts. Parables like the Good Samaritan and stories such as Zacchaeus underscore this theme.
Prayer and Devotion:
Jesus' example of prayer and teaching on the importance of prayer are significant in Luke. The gospel includes several unique prayers and parables about persistence in prayer.
Joy and Praise:
The theme of joy is prevalent, especially in the early chapters, with songs like Mary’s Magnificat and the angels' announcement to the shepherds. Praise and rejoicing in God's actions are frequent.
Salvation History and Fulfillment of Scripture:
Luke often connects Jesus' life and ministry to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and God's overarching plan for salvation history, emphasizing continuity with Israel's story.
Discipleship and Following Jesus:
The gospel calls for a radical commitment to discipleship, highlighting the cost of following Jesus and the call to take up one's cross.
The Reversal of Fortunes:
Luke frequently portrays a reversal of social and spiritual fortunes, where the humble are exalted, and the proud are brought low, aligning with Jesus' message about the Kingdom of God.
These themes collectively underscore Luke's theological message about who Jesus is, the nature of his mission, and the inclusive scope of God's salvation. In the Gospel of Luke, the events before Jesus' journey to Jerusalem encompass a significant portion of the text. Luke can be roughly divided into sections based on Jesus' geographic and thematic movements. The division relating to Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is particularly clear in Luke's narrative structure.
Introduction and Infancy Narratives (Chapters 1-2):
These chapters cover the announcements and births of John the Baptist and Jesus, as well as Jesus' early childhood.
Preparation for Ministry (Chapters 3-4):
John the Baptist's ministry, Jesus' baptism, genealogy, and temptation in the wilderness are described here.
Galilean Ministry (Chapters 4-9):
This section details Jesus' teachings, miracles, and interactions while ministering in Galilee.
Journey to Jerusalem (Chapters 9-19):
Starting in Luke 9:51, when Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem, this section follows his travels and teachings on the way to the city.
The time frame from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rides a donkey, to his crucifixion is generally understood to be about one week. This period is known as Holy Week or Passion Week in Christian tradition.
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is described in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19. Specifically, the narrative can be found in Luke 19:28-44. This passage includes Jesus instructing his disciples to find a colt, his entry into Jerusalem riding the colt, and the crowd's reaction, which includes spreading cloaks on the road and shouting praises.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the key events and their traditional timeline Luke 19-24:
Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday):
Day: Sunday
Event: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds welcome him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!"
Events in Jerusalem:
Days: Monday to Wednesday
Events: Jesus cleanses the Temple, teaches in the Temple courts, and engages in various discussions and confrontations with religious leaders. He also predicts the destruction of the Temple and discusses end-times prophecies.
The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday):
Day: Thursday evening
Event: Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper (Eucharist). He also washes the disciples' feet, gives the new commandment to love one another, and foretells Peter's denial.
Gethsemane and Arrest:
Night: Thursday night into early Friday morning
Event: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is arrested by the temple guards following Judas' betrayal.
Trials and Crucifixion (Good Friday):
Day: Friday
Events: Jesus undergoes a series of trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod Antipas. He is sentenced to death and crucified at Golgotha. He dies in the afternoon and is buried before sundown.
Burial and Sabbath:
Days: Friday evening to Saturday evening
Event: Jesus' body rests in the tomb during the Sabbath.
Resurrection (Easter Sunday):
Day: Sunday
Event: Jesus rises from the dead. The empty tomb is discovered by women followers, and Jesus appears to his disciples and others.
Thus, the time frame from the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the crucifixion on Good Friday spans approximately five days, and from the triumphal entry to the resurrection on Easter Sunday is a week. This is captured in Luke 19-24.
Read along with me HERE for the final chapters of Luke 23-24.
Reference and Further Reading: The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings by Bart D. Ehrman
Paul’s Great Offering
In the early days of the Christian church, the Apostle Paul undertook a mission to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans during his third missionary journey, which is generally dated to 53–57 AD, which took place between Acts 18:23 and 21:14 in the Bible.
The story of Paul and the early churches, particularly the Corinthians and Macedonians, revolves around a commitment to generosity and unity in spreading the Gospel and supporting fellow believers. Paul, urging the Corinthians to fulfill their promise of contribution, highlights the importance of cheerful giving, contrasting it with the sacrificial generosity of the Macedonian churches despite their own hardships. His plans extended beyond mere fundraising, encompassing journeys to Rome and eventually Spain, aiming to unify believers and share the Gospel widely. However, his arrival in Jerusalem led to his arrest amidst turmoil, underscoring the challenges faced in his mission. Despite these trials, Paul's teachings emphasize the spiritual bounty of generous giving and the promise of blessings that transcend material wealth, reinforcing the unity and equality among early Christian communities.
“I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey. But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”
Romans 15:24-26
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was arrested. Despite his arrest, Paul’s mission highlighted the importance of unity and generosity delivering the offerings from the Macedonians and Corinthians.
“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.” Acts 24:17
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