Next Tuesday, we will begin our walk through Luke’s Gospel starting with the introduction and nativity of John the Baptist in Luke 1 and ending with the Resurrection and Ascension in Luke 24 and Acts 1. I hope you can join us. All you will need during our journey is a bible, preferably a study bible, and preferably a bible you can write in. If you don’t have a bible, one will be provided to you.
Over the years, we have generally only read through the gospels topically – such as the parables, Epiphany Readings, Resurrection Appearances, etc. Only Mark’s Gospel have we read through completely. However, for the gospel writers, the organization of their respective gospel and the way the stories of Jesus are ordered and collected are intended to tell us who they believe Jesus is. Luke begins his gospel by stating that he aims to give us “an orderly account of the events that have been [prophetically] fulfilled among us.” Luke 1:1. Over the next sixteen sessions, we will read through this orderly account so that we can come to know Jesus better.
Beginning this Sunday (Advent 1) we are in Liturgical Year C of the lectionary. Throughout this year, most of the readings will be from the Gospel of Luke, so hopefully, what we read on Tuesday nights will give us a better understanding of the gospel we will hear on Sunday morning.
Who is Luke:
The writer of the Gospel does not sign his name. We do know that the writer of the Gospel and the writer of Acts are the same. Both works are addressed to the same person “Theophilus” and Acts references the “first book.” Luke 1:1, Acts 1:1. The writer is also clear that he is not an eyewitness to what Jesus did. Luke 1:2. Tradition, dating back to the second century, holds that the writer was Paul’s companion, Luke the physician, as mentioned in his letters. Col. 4:14, 2 Tim. 4:11, Phil. 1:24. Also, beginning in Acts 16:11 and through the remainder of the book, the writer switches to the first-person plural “we” when writing about Paul’s journeys.
Sources of Luke:
Luke tells us that he is not an eyewitness but uses the written accounts of many other writers and traditions handed down from eyewitnesses. Luke 1:1-3. Luke is one of three so-called Synoptic (seeing the same) Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are very similar, and scholars generally believe that Mark was written first, and then Matthew and Luke take Mark’s version, rework it a little bit, and then add their own material. Some of this material used by Matthew and Luke comes from a common source and some is unique to the individual writer. About one-third of Luke is this unique material including his stories of Jesus’ infancy, the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, and the Ascension.
Themes:
As we discussed last week, some of the primary themes of Luke are the oppression by Jewish religious leaders of their people, a great concern for the marginalized in society (particularly the poor and women), the centrality of Jerusalem in God’s plan, and the inclusion of Gentiles as God’s people. Since Luke was Paul’s companion, Luke’s gospel echoes Paul’s mission to the Gentiles, his run-ins with Jewish leaders in his churches, and Paul’s inclusion of women throughout his ministry. Particularly for Luke, the gospel message is that the salvation of God through Jesus Christ is for all people, not just the religiously or socially privileged.
Schedule:
The tentative schedule is attached. Because we are reading straight through the gospel, if you miss a week, it is easy to hop back in. My hope for us is that in reading through Luke, we come to see Jesus more clearly, to love him more dearly, and to follow him more nearly.
As always, dinner will be at 6. Our discussion will begin around 6:45, and we will end by 8:00 with Compline. You are encouraged to forward these emails to others and to invite anyone to our gatherings.
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
1979 BCP 236