The Year of the Bible

Luke – The Son of God Is the Son of Man, Savior

Luke’s Gospel is a book of the Church, written for the Church, to be used by the Church in its proclamation of the Gospel to the unbaptized and the baptized. (Arthur Just, Concordia Commentary – Luke, p. 5) Some comments of a brother in Christ, living in the early 300’s – our brother Eusebius As for Luke, in the beginning of his Gospel, he states himself the reasons which lead him to write it. He states that since many others had more rashly undertaken to compose a narrative of the events of which he had acquired perfect knowledge, he himself, feeling the necessity of freeing us from their uncertain opinions, delivered in his own Gospel an accurate of those events in regard to which he had learned the full truth, being aided by his intimacy and his stay with Paul and by his acquaintance with the with the rest of the apostles. [cited in The Lutheran Study Bible, from A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church.] From the Lutheran Study Bible:

Blessings for readers:  As you read Luke’s carefully researched account of Jesus’ life, consider yourself on a journey with Luke to learn more about Jesus of Nazareth, whose body, crucified for the forgiveness of sins, becomes the temple of the living God (22:19)

Challenges for readers:  Two Audiences. Luke writes his account with two different audiences in mind. The first audience includes the Apostles, disciples, crowds, and opponents of Jesus who actually hear and see Jesus at work in the events Luke records. This first audience never fully understands what Jesus is doing and teaching (e.g., Peter in ch. 9). Everyone is a potential catechumen, but many will reject Jesus. The second audience is the group of disciples or catechumens who later receive and hear Luke’s Gospel. This group knows how the story will end in the cross and resurrection. While hearing the Gospel read, they learn more about Jesus by participating in the Word and Sacrament ministry of the Church. Luke presents Jesus’ life to both of these audiences.  Now and Not Yet. Luke shows us that in Jesus, God’s salvation has come now. It is here today. God’s people, and indeed all creation, enjoy the blessings of redemption. The joy of being with God eternally is already here for us in the Word and Sacrament ministry of the Church…. Yet, we still await Jesus’ final reappearing when He will come again to judge the living and the dead and complete the work of His Kingdom.  From Luke to Acts. Luke begins by explaining that his Gospel account is intended for teaching the faith to catechumens (1:4). Likewise, Acts begins with a similar emphasis on making disciples through the Gospel, teaching, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41; 4:4). The reports of growth slow down as the Church reaches out to the Gentiles (Acts 13-28), who need more training because they are not so familiar with the Scriptures. Luke’s Gospel fills the needs of this group. Throughout Luke and Acts, meals are important points for teaching the faith.

What’s the Big Idea?  Traveling with the Apostle Paul, Luke writes a Gospel that will help hearers know the whole history of Jesus.  Jesus is a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and He is the glory of His people Israel.

Outline of Luke: I. Historical introduction: (chapter 1-3) II. The teaching ministry of Jesus (ch. 4:1-22:39) III. Suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus (ch 22:40-24:53) Reading Plan for Luke We return to one of the longer books, with two reading plans. We strongly encourage reading this entire book – it is a Gospel! However, there is a shortened reading plan as well, for those who must choose to read selected portions. Feel free also to listen to the Bible and follow in the text. The Bible is on tape or you can access the entire Bible at Biblegateway.com. On the homepage, look for the line “Listen to the Bible.” Whole Book: Selected Chapters: Day 1 Chapters 1-4 Ch. 1:1-4, ch. 4-5 Day 2 Ch. 5-8:21 Ch. 8-9 Day 3 Ch. 8:22-ch. 11 Ch. 12, 14 Day 4 Ch. 12-16 Ch. 15, 17, 19 Day 5 Ch. 17-21 Ch. 20, 22 Day 6 Ch. 22-24 Ch. 23-24 Day 1 Make-up Day / Day of Rest Total chapters: 24 13 Time to read all of Luke: 2 hours and 30 minutes. In Ten Words or Less: The Son of Man came to seek and to save.

Only in Luke … Matthew, Mark and Luke give three common viewpoints of the same life – biographies of the saving life of Jesus. Luke records unique sayings and events from Jesus’ life. Here are some of them:  … The angel visits Zechariah, conception and birth of John the Baptist  … Gabriel visits Mary  … the birth of Jesus; the angel’s announcement to the shepherds  … Jesus presented at the Temple; Simeon and Anna  … 12-year-old Jesus at the Temple  … Jesus’ teaching at Nazareth and His rejection there (4:16- 30)  … Raising the widow’s son  … Rejection by the Samaritans  … Parables of the Good Samaritan, the Inconsiderate Friend, the Rich Fool, the Fruitless Fig Tree, the Lost Coin, the Prodigal Son, the Dishonest Manager, the Unrighteous Judge, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector  … Visit with Mary and Martha  … Teaching about the murder of the Galileans  … Teaching about commitment  … The Rich Man and Lazarus  … “we are but unworthy servants”  … Cleansing of the Ten Lepers  … Zacchaeus  … Two swords  … Pilate declares Jesus innocent  … The Emmaus disciples  … The Ascension of our Lord (for a complete list of unique sayings and events, as well as the chapters for all of these events, The Lutheran Study Bible, page 1703. This chart is taken from that source.)