 |
 |
||||
The gospels were called the memoirs of the apostles
and they were being read in the churches on Sunday. The early church had already identified the gospels as
being scripture.
Eyewitnesses. The gospel writers were either eyewitnesses of Jesus or they knew
people who were. Luke was not an eyewitness, but he was a careful investigator.
. . . just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus . . . (NASB) Luke 1:2-3 Luke had many opportunities to speak with the apostles and others about Jesus. We know that
the Jewish rabbis required that their students memorize their teachings. Since Jesus was a rabbi, Jesus' disciples
probably memorized His teachings too! Since most teachers repeat and repeat their sayings, it would not be
hard to memorize long speeches and sayings. At that time in history, oratory was preferred and highly respected.
But Luke was not alone in writing his gospel. The Holy Spirit guided and influenced him as he
wrote (2 Pet. 1:20-21). That is why the Apostle Paul says that he wrote scripture. Jesus also made this promise
in John 14:26,
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (NASB) John 14:26 Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember all things. The Holy Spirit brought
to memory and gave them information that they did not have. For example, how did the disciples who were not
with Jesus and were sleeping know what Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-43)? Or, how did
they know what occurred between Jesus and Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). It was the Holy Spirit who
helped them know what occurred or Jesus had told them.
The Reason. Luke had a reason for writing. He wanted to be accurate, but he
also wanted to put everything in chronological order. We will see during our study that Luke's gospel is in
chronological order. But Luke had a more important reason for writing. He was writing for Theophilus. He was
writing for someone who appears to have had some doubts about Jesus.
. . . so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (NASB) Luke 1:4 He wanted to help Theophilus know the "exact truth." The Greek phrase has the idea of "a firm step" or "stability
with a sense of security and safety." Luke wanted Theophilus to be secure in what he believed to be true.
Conclusion. That is the reason all of the gospels were written. God wants us
to know the truth. Jesus Christ is our God and our savior. The four gospels were not written for academic reasons.
The apostles did not write them to make money. They were not seeking fame. The gospels were written so that
we might know the truth. Why were they written? The answer is illustrated in a magazine cartoon.
Years ago there was a cartoon in a magazine about a thief who was wearing a "Lone Ranger" mask to hide his face. His gun was pointed toward a frightened victim and he yelled, "Give me all your valuables." In the last panel of the cartoon, the victim started stuffing into the thief's sack all of his friends. Luke wrote his gospel for his friend Theophilus. All of the gospels were written by God through Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John to their friends - to all of the saints. It is our desire to search these memoirs, written
by men who loved Jesus. Together search and seek to see Jesus' life and know His heart. We want to know Him
in ways we have never known Him. We long for a personal encounter with Jesus. We want to see Jesus . . .
|
|||||
| Life & Heart of Jesus | |||||