x Spending time in Luke

ASSEMBLY YOUTH

Spending time in the Scriptures
Luke		by A. Kimber

So we come to the third of the four gospels. Luke’s gospel is unique in that it’s presented as a letter with Luke suggesting that although others have recorded their accounts, he, having a good underststanding has decided to record what he knows so that it can be used to prove and confirm what has been recorded elsewhere.

Luke gives the most chronological record of Jesus’ birth, indeed he goes right back to when Zacharias was told that he’d have a son and that he was to be called John. The account of his miraculous birth is perhaps one part of the gospels that is often neglected. His parents, just people, were blessed with a son even though it was naturally impossible. They were additionally blessed by that son being the one who would prepare the way of the Lord. So John the Baptist is born and his father, a priest, prophesies many things about his service for the Lord.

It’s interesting that following chapter 2, that very well known chapter concerning the Lords’ birth, that Luke returns to the ministry of John the Baptist leading to the fact of the Lord’s baptism. Luke then continues to establish Christ’s genealogy through Mary who like her husband was a descendant of King David although both were descendants of a different son of David.

Luke records many of the differing ways that the Lord was treated, in two verses in chapter four he explains how Jesus’ fame spread through all Galilee and how that all men glorified him. However when He came to Nazareth and read from Isaiah in the synagogue explaining how that He was the one who would fulfil the words of this Old Testament prophecy they tried to throw him off a cliff.
I’m often intrigued by the way that things are described in the scripture, here we are told that Jesus ‘passing through the midst of them went his way’, wouldn’t it be good to know exactly how this happened, Christ able just to walk away from a mob who had Him pressed against the end of a cliff.

Many of the things in this book are well known, but some are unique. In chapter 10 we read of seventy disciples who were sent out to perform miracles and preach. It’s interesting to note this as the other gospels record the deeds of the 12 Apostles but don’t tell us of the way that the Lord sought to use the people around him. So we read of these people who the Lord commissioned in addition to the Twelve.

One unusual parable is the parable of the unjust steward in chapter 16, I’ve spent a while considering this parable as it seems to be commending unjust behaviour. But we need to realise that the Lord is commending a man who was forward looking, yes, it’s not a correct way to act, but we need to use what we have to find favour with God, to use it to his glory and to find assurance of our future using it.
Another unusual parable concerns a woman who kept coming to a judge who tired of her coming and asking him to do what was right. Although he was not concerned with doing what he should, yet her persistence paid off and he judged correctly. So we are told that God’s people, who cry out to him will have justice done, no matter how wrong things seem, and no matter how long it seems to take, God will avenge his elect.

As we come to the account of Christ’s crucifixion Luke uniquely describes the appearance of the Lord before Herod. Here we have a man who wanted to meet Jesus and to see a miracle, but he was to be disappointed as no matter what he said or did Jesus remained silent.

So Luke concludes his letter by describing the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. As we read through this book we really get a sense of reading a letter where everything is set in order and arranged to describe key events and activities. These first three gospels have much in common but next month we’ll be looking at John’s gospel which takes a very different approach as John seeks to present Christ as God

Key Verses

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Luke 1:76

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. Luke 4:15

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Luke 10:16

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Luke 23:8

Christ in all the Scriptures
The first prophecy
Next month: John.
 
Dare to be a Daniel
the effect of the word of God
Spending time in the Scriptures
 
Last month: Mark.

All quotes are from the King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.