This Tuesday we begin our journey through the Gospel of Luke with a discussion of Luke 1. All you will need for our journey is a Bible. The first two chapters in Luke provide a bridge between the Old Testament and the life of Jesus and tell of the announcement and birth of both John the Baptist and Jesus. These are the only two chapters we will cover during the Advent season. This email is available online.
The Prologue: (vv. 1-4)
Luke’s purpose in writing his Gospel is to give an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled. v.1. His account is based on those traditions that had been handed over to us. v.2. Paul uses that same terminology of handing over the traditions in his letters. 1 Cor. 11:2, 2 Thess. 2:15. Luke tells us that he receives these traditions from “eyewitnesses and servants of the word (logos).” Luke does not give us any particular person (Paul, Peter, etc.) as a source, nor does he specifically rely on church leadership (apostles, disciples, etc.) either. As we will see throughout his gospel, Luke believes in a flattening of all hierarchy. Paul gives us a little more information as to Luke’s potential sources. 1 Cor. 15:3-11
Luke dedicates his gospel to “the most excellent Theophilus (Greek: “Friend/Lover of God”). Theophilus was a common Greek name, and Luke may be simply dedicating his work to his patron who was his social superior. We see this similar form of address in Paul’s address of Felix and Festus, the successive Roman governors of Judea. See, Acts 24:2, 26:25. On the other hand, Luke says that Theophilus has already been instructed which means he is already within the church. v.4. Therefore, each of us may be the “Theophilus” whom Luke addresses. We simply do not know.
John’s Conception:
Luke begins his Gospel account with the conception of John the Baptist. Luke is the only Gospel that gives us the background of John the Baptist. In the other gospels, we first meet John beside the Jordan River. Here, Luke begins with his parents, Zechariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth. Luke tells us his parents are blameless before the law (like Paul, Phil. 3:6). As we would say in the South, John’s parents are “good people.”
The problem is that Elizabeth is barren and the story of John follows a long line of other Old Testament stories concerning barren women such as Sarah (Gen. 18), Rebekah (Gen. 25), Rachel (Gen. 30), Samson’s mother (Judges 13), and Hannah (1 Sam. 1-2). If you have time this weekend, please read these stories and look at where and who announced that the barren woman would bear a son and the parent’s reaction to the announcement.
The closest of these traditions that Elizabeth/John parallel is that of Hannah/Samuel. In both cases, the conception of the barren woman is announced in the fixed place of worship (the Temple was not built yet at the time of Samuel). v.8, 1 Sam. 1:17. Both sons will be instructed to avoid alcohol. v.15, 1 Sam. 1:11. Both sons will be raised by priests – John by his father Zechariah, and Samuel by Eli. And both John and Samuel will be filled with God’s word. v.15, 1 Sam. 3:2.
This linkage between the prophet Samuel and John should remind us of the linkage between King David and Jesus. In the Story of David, Samuel is the one who prepares the way for David to become king. Samuel’s anointing of David is fulfilled in John’s baptism of Jesus. 1 Sam. 16, Luke 3. Samuel gives way to David, in the same way that John must give way to Jesus.
The Beginning and the End:
Luke’s Gospel begins with Luke’s statement that he is giving an account of “events that have been fulfilled among us.” v.1. His story begins in the Temple with Zechariah making an offering to God as the whole assembly of the were praying outside. vv.9-10. Luke will bring his gospel back to this very point at the end.
As you may recall, the primary resurrection appearance in Luke occurs on the Road to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-15. It is here that Jesus, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.” Luke 24:27. Luke soon ends his gospel stating that the disciples “Returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the Temple blessing God.” Luke 24:53. Luke begins and ends in the Temple, and begins and ends with the understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Our journey through Luke will begin and end in the same place but, like Theophilus, with a greater knowledge of who Jesus is.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is BBQ Chicken. Discussion of Luke 1 begins around 6:45. We’ll end with Compline a little before 8. Hope to see you here!
Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
and I will tell you what he has done for me.
Psalm 66:14