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Luke’s Unique Gospel
Luke’s Unique Gospel
After some 400 years of not sending a prophet, the book of Luke opens with an absolute frenzy of heavenly activity. The people had been promised that God would again intervene in the affairs of men and now it begins. Luke records some of these acts, so many, that it is almost overwhelming!
In his commentary, Preaching the Word: Luke, Kent Hughes summarizes:
· Luke’s forthright purpose in writing the history was moral…
· Luke was not only an accomplished historian, he was also a skilled theologian. Prominent among the great theological emphases in Luke is love.
· The offer of salvation for all is far more prominent in Luke than in the other gospels.
· Luke records Jesus’ repeated references to his coming death and gives profound detail concerning both the passion and the cross.
· The Gospel opens with repeated references to the Holy Spirit (1:15, 41, 67; 2:25-27; 1:35; 3:22; 4:1).
· He was delighted in mentioning individuals… (by name, HD)…
· Luke’s Gospel transcends the century’s neglect of women …
· We see Luke’s heart for babies and children…
· Luke also shows himself powerfully disposed to the poor.
· Luke’s Gospel is a singing Gospel. It resounds with the music of praise to God (1:46-55,
· The verb rejoice is found in Luke more than in any other book in the New Testament.
Such a synopsis helps us to quickly get an overview of the over-arching story that has so many details. Yet, it should motivate us to read Luke’s actual story. Luke records so much detail so quickly that we can easily be overwhelmed. This then beckons us to read and reread these opening 4 chapters. In particular, noting that for 400 some years God sent no prophets and did not reveal Himself, the coming of Jesus bursts upon them with Divine activity: prophets, angels, the Holy Spirit, and miracles. What the people of Israel had been waiting for is here! As you read, pick up a pen and paper and begin making your own lists of all of these activities, people, and themes. This is the story of God fulfilling His promises and purpose. This is the story of God’s son coming to save men from their sins. This is the story of Jesus!
Hugh DeLong
