1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Luke’s gospel starts unexpectedly: a declaration that many others have written narratives of Jesus. So then, why another one? Furthermore, Luke didn’t seem to fit the description of a gospel writer. Unlike the “eyewitnesses” who were telling the Jesus story, Luke had never met Jesus during His earthly ministry.
In brief, the work was already being done by more capable hands. Usual reaction: sit back and watch those more capable hands work. But praise God that wasn’t Luke’s reaction, else we’d be short a gospel.
Instead, we see Luke bring his unique talents to the table. True, he was no eyewitness, but researching the accounts circulating at the time (around 30 years after Jesus had risen), he was able to put together an “orderly account.”
He addresses it to Theophilus, which translates to “Lover of God”, and explains his intention that Theophilus “may know the certainty” of the teachings he’s heard. Undoubtedly at the time there were numerous stories floating around about Jesus. Some true, some sensationalized, some downright strange. Luke’s gospel intends to straighten things out with an historically sound narrative.
This is an important lesson for Christians today. We can’t advocate faith by sensationalism that lacks substance. Such a faith will not long stand. Instead, we must have an informed faith on historical realities.
However, Luke indicates that the Jesus story is not just a happening of history but also a fulfilling of history. Many promises had been made to God’s people regarding the Messiah and the work He would accomplish; now these promises had been “fulfilled” (vs. 1).
So Luke writes a historical narrative about a man who is the long awaited fulfillment of history. Let’s join Theophilus in learning more about this man.
In brief, the work was already being done by more capable hands. Usual reaction: sit back and watch those more capable hands work. But praise God that wasn’t Luke’s reaction, else we’d be short a gospel.
Instead, we see Luke bring his unique talents to the table. True, he was no eyewitness, but researching the accounts circulating at the time (around 30 years after Jesus had risen), he was able to put together an “orderly account.”
He addresses it to Theophilus, which translates to “Lover of God”, and explains his intention that Theophilus “may know the certainty” of the teachings he’s heard. Undoubtedly at the time there were numerous stories floating around about Jesus. Some true, some sensationalized, some downright strange. Luke’s gospel intends to straighten things out with an historically sound narrative.
This is an important lesson for Christians today. We can’t advocate faith by sensationalism that lacks substance. Such a faith will not long stand. Instead, we must have an informed faith on historical realities.
However, Luke indicates that the Jesus story is not just a happening of history but also a fulfilling of history. Many promises had been made to God’s people regarding the Messiah and the work He would accomplish; now these promises had been “fulfilled” (vs. 1).
So Luke writes a historical narrative about a man who is the long awaited fulfillment of history. Let’s join Theophilus in learning more about this man.
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