Luke

LUKE OVERVIEW

The introduction of Luke’s gospel gives us great insight into his writing. The first 4 verses are masterfully crafted to let us know how he we received his gospel information and why he was qualified to write it.

Luke was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ life, though he tells us in verse 2 that he used the accounts of those that saw these events firsthand. We trust his record because of his closeness with the apostles, especially the apostle Paul.

Luke claims “perfect understanding” (v3), meaning that he could not be more confident or clear in the events he records. Since Luke was a physician (Col 4:14), we see a great deal of detail in his writing, comparative to John or Mark. He writes “in order” (v3), meaning his record is chronological. This is incredibly important as it helps us get a clear timeline of events in the life of Jesus.

Luke’s Bio:

If you looked at the list of disciples, you might notice Luke’s name is absent. He did not walk with Jesus during His time on earth and (that we know of) did not perform any miracles or preach any sermons – yet he left behind the most meticulous account of the life of Christ.

We know nothing of Luke’s family, conversion or life and death. He comes on the scene in the book of Acts when Paul visits Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10). From there he followed Paul and documented his journeys. We last see Luke in Rome during Paul’s final days.

We can confidently say that Luke was beloved by the apostles, loyal to his friends, and detailed in his writings. He is likely the only Gentile to author a New Testament book of the bible.

Luke teaches us that God can use us greatly, even if we are not in ‘full time’ ministry or called as a pastor or missionary. Luke’s diligence in his ministry contributed to 2 incredible documents in the scriptures that make up more than 25% of the New Testament. 

LUKE 1

Luke begins with the wonderful commentary of 2 supernatural pregnancies: John the Baptist (v5-25) and Jesus (v26-56) – both to women who have never born children. John is born of the man Zacharias (v5, 24) and Jesus is born of David and of God (v27, 31-32, 35). Zacharias is faithless (v18-20) and Mary has faith (v38). Although this chapter is brilliant and encouraging, there is a stark reminder here of the consequences of a lack of faith. While Zacharias was not ‘struck dead’ at doubting the angel, there was definitely a consequence of being mute (v20), which comes with a warning that God’s words are “fulfilled in their season”. Let us meditate on the words of God and look to see them fulfilled in due time.

LUKE 2

Chapter 2 includes the birth of Jesus (v1-20), His presentation in the temple (v21-38), and the account of Him being ‘left behind’ (v39-52). Much of this chapter is unique to Luke’s gospel. What a treasure it is to us in the faith! Here we get a glimpse into the Jesus as a child and also into the politics of His day (the taxing of Augustus). As chapter 2 draws to a close, we see Jesus’ first recorded words, correcting His ‘mother’ on who His ’father’ is (v48-49). We conclude with this beautiful phrase, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (v52). What a prayer that should be for us! That we would walk in grace and truth to grow in our walk with God and our favor with men. 

LUKE 3

Chapter 3 begins with John’s revelation from God in the wilderness (v2) and describes John’s preaching and baptism ministry, up to where John baptizes Jesus (v21-22) and is then imprisoned (v19-20) [although those two events are seemingly out of order]. The chapter concludes with an exhaustive genealogy of Jesus through Mary’s lineage, which takes Jesus all the way back to Adam, the “son of God” (v38). Jesus is the “last Adam”, “the Lord from heaven” (1 Cor 15:45-47). Mary’s genealogy is intriguing as it varies from Josephs in Matthew 1.

An interesting note: John preached with “exhortation” (v18). To exhort is to come along side and persuade with the truth. Although John’s words may have been sharp, his heart was for this Jewish brethren to prepare their hearts to meet the Messiah.

LUKE 4

Chapter 4 begins with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (v1-13), and continues into His teaching ministry in Galilee (v14-44). After the temptation, Jesus “returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee” (v14) and “taught in their synagogues” (v15), to which all “wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth” (v22). Being rejected in the Synagogue for preaching Isaiah 61 (v18-19), and explaining that the Messiah’s ministry would be to the Gentiles (v24-27), Jesus was then violently expelled from the city and nearly killed (v28-30). Jesus then goes to Capernaum and teaches in the synagogue “with power” (v31-32). He seems to be much more accepted there and heals (v38-40) and casts out demons (v35).

LUKE 5

In this chapter Jesus continues His teaching (v3) and healing (v12-14, 17-26) ministry in Galilee. Although Jesus already knew Peter and healed his mother (4:38-39), Jesus calls him to further ministry service (v10). In this chapter we get the first “follow me” calling of a disciple, Matthew (v27).

In verses 36-39 Jesus uses several illustrations to describe how God was doing something ‘new’ that could not be taken back. Israel struggled to understand His teaching and role as Messiah and wanted to keep His ministry under the law (see fasting, v33). Jesus essentially says that once the Messiah has come, we can no longer ‘go back’ to the way things were before. He must be crucified, salvation by grace must come, and the kingdom will be opened to the Gentiles.

LUKE 6

Jesus reveals that He is “Lord also of the sabbath” (v5) by allowing His disciples to pluck corn and eat on the Sabbath (v1) and also healing a man (v6-10). In this chapter Jesus also formally chooses the 12 disciples, here called “apostles” (v13). He then begins the greatest sermon in Luke’s gospel so far (v20-49)! It is filled with rich teaching, often quoted. Even a few verses is enough to meditate on. Though some of the content is similar to the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, this is not the same event, which indicates to us that Jesus repeated some of the same content at different times. Perhaps that is why it was so memorable! 

LUKE 7

Luke 7 includes the healing of the centurion’s servant (v1-10), the resurrection of the “bier” (v11-17), John the Baptist’s doubt (v18-35), and Christ’s fellowship with sinners in a Pharisee’s house (v36-50). I really associate with the woman that anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, whom Jesus said, “loved much” (v47). I have done many terrible things in my lost man days, which I totally regret and would change if I could, but upon forgiveness of those things, I am even much more burdened to serve the Lord for what He has done for me! Thank you Jesus! I am forever grateful for His forgiveness.

LUKE 8

Luke chapter 8 highly resembles Mark chapter 5, which includes similar items such as healing the demoniac (v26-39), healing of Jairus’ daughter (v40-56), and healing the woman with the issue of blood (v43-48). Not included in Mark 5 is the parable of the soils (v4-15) and calming the storms (v22-25). My favorite phrase in this chapter is the description of the post healing demonic – he was “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind” (v35). I could preach a whole sermon on that verse! Praise God what Jesus gives us: fellowship in His presence (Prov 16:15), covering for our sin (Rom 4:7), and a renewed mind (Rom 12:2).

LUKE 9

What really sticks out in Luke 9 is the response after the empowerment and sending of the disciples. They went out to cast out demons, heal, and preach (v1-2). Then they returned again unto Jesus and gave a report of what they had done (v10). As we minister, we ought to ‘report back to’ Jesus with what we’ve done. Many times we pray on the front end, and forget to spend time with the Lord in prayer, processing, thanksgiving, and recovery. We need to take a page out of Jesus’ book and get “alone praying” (v18) after big ministering events – as Jesus exemplified with the returning disciples (v10) and His own ministry in multiplying bread (v18).

LUKE 10

Luke 10 records a similar ‘sending’ of Jesus disciples, but this time “seventy also” are sent (v1). After their success in ministry, they report back to Jesus (v17). They were obedient, operated in faith, and God used them greatly, yet Jesus said they should “rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (v20). More than anything we can DO for the Lord, our focus ought to be on the Lord Himself. Ministry often shifts our focus to the details and results, but Jesus’ words wisely correlate with Jeremiah’s “But let him that glorieth glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jer 9:24). Knowing the Lord and spending time with Him is more important than what we can do for Him.