| Author: Dele Oke

The Gospel of Luke

Introduction

Author - Luke
Luke is the undisputed writer of the Gospel of Luke.
He is unique as a gospel writer because he was a Gentile.

a.?Luke the historian

(Luke 1:1-5, Acts 1:1

In as much as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us,? just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to
us,? 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,? that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke 1: 1- 4 NKJV

Luke set out to record an orderly account of the life of Jesus. He was a self appointed historian. Luke was also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles.
His work shows the marks of a hard working Scholar who has considered and recorded
the facts tediously and religiously

b.?Luke the Doctor

(Colossians 4:14)
Luke was a Doctor by profession.

As a well read and educated man he had the analytical skills to present a well-researched account of the life of Jesus. The gospel of Luke records many of the healing miracles of Jesus. When you consider the fact that these were
written by a Doctor you can begin to appreciate the reliability of the accounts.

c.?Luke the traveller

(Acts 16:10 - 13, Acts 20:5 - 6, Acts 27:2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24
Luke accompanied Paul on some of his trips. He was a well-travelled person. Luke was also a Gentile. He saw things from a much wider perspective. Its interesting to note that Luke traces the genealogy of Jesus right back to Adam, while Matthew, a Jew, traces it back to Abraham, father of the Jews.

d.?Luke the evangelist

The gospel of Luke will leave you with an
overwhelming sense of the presence and person of Jesus. Luke makes no effort to hide the fact that Jesus came to bring us good news. He became an evangelist by his association with the truth.

The content of Luke.

A look at the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John show that the first three (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have many things in common. Because of the similarity in arrangement, content and wording of these three gospels they are
referred to as the synoptic gospels. Synoptic simply means 'a seeing together'.

While the synoptic gospels focus more on what Jesus did and said, the gospel of John puts more attention on who Jesus is. The gospel of John also includes more stories about individuals.

It is always important to remember that you will have to read all the gospels to get the complete picture of Jesus as the Holy Spirit has chosen to reveal Him to us.

The gospel of Luke places emphasis on certain topics such as

a.?Angels

Luke records the ministry of angels both at the birth and time of his death. No doubt they are always present.

b.?Holy Spirit

Some have called Luke the 'charismatic gospel'. The Holy Spirit is introduced right from the conception of Jesus. Bearing in mind that Luke goes on to write the Acts of the Apostles (which some call the acts of the Holy Spirit) you can see the emphasis that Luke lays on the Holy Spirit. John the baptist and his parents are filled with the Holy Spirit (1:15,41,67) as is Simeon (2:25-35). So is Jesus (4:1, 14, 18, 10:21) who promises to send the Holy Spirit in times of need (12:12)

c.?Prayer

Luke writes about Jesus prayers more than any other of the gospel writers.

He also gives us the teachings of Jesus on prayer. We see the multitude pray as Zacharias serves at the altar (1:10), Mary's prayer (1:46-55), Jesus pray at His baptism (3:21), when choosing His disciples (6:12), at Peter's confession (9:18) and at His tranfiguration (9:29).

In private (5:16) and at Mount Olives (22:39-46) Jesus prays. His final breath ends with a prayer (23:46)

d.?Healings and teachings

Again Luke records enough of the healings and teachings of Jesus to convince any open hearted reader about the authority and power that Jesus the saviour of the world possess.

Parables unique to Luke

Luke records certain parables that the other gospels do not namely

Parable	location in Luke
The two debtors	7: 40 - 43
Good Samaritan	10:30 - 37
Friend at mid night asking for bread	11: 5- 13
Barren fig tree	13: 6 - 9
Prodigal son	15:11 - 32
Crooked steward	16: 1- 9
The rich man and Lazarus	16: 19 - 31
Persistent widow	18:1- 8
Pharisee and tax collector	18: 9 - 14

How to study the gospels

a.?Read it as an accurate and Holy Spirit inspired account of the life of Jesus. Know the facts. Pay attention to details.

b.?Try and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to you as you read it.
These Holy Spirit inspired words have a relevance to you today. If you only study the gospels for its historical and factual values you will miss a lot of what the Holy Spirit has got to say to you today.

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