Introduction to Lessons from Luke
Key Verse: Luke 1:1-4
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Additional Reading: Luke 1:1-25
As we begin our study of Luke, I want to share a few thoughts about how I’m going about this study. First, this is not a deep dive into the theological aspects of Luke. Nor is it a verse-by-verse study of Luke. There are plenty of Bible Studies on the market that would do a much better job than I can with that type of study. My ‘Lessons from Luke’ will be focused on something much more personal; that is, the lessons that I felt God spoke to me. As I walked through the Book of Luke in my own personal study, I underlined the lessons that I felt ‘jumped out at me’. These are the lessons that I would like to share with you.
Like all my devotionals, the first scripture reading I suggest, the Key Verse, is the specific scripture that I plan to deal with that day. For Additional Reading, I put larger sections of scripture that will help you get the context of the scripture that I am dealing with. I hope you will take the time to read it.
Today, I want to start by looking at the first four verses of Luke, chapter one. Please note that Luke understood that many others had written accounts of all the prophecies fulfilled when Jesus came upon the scene. Luke acknowledges that these other writers used the “eyewitness reports” (Luke 1:2) that early followers of Jesus had passed around.
Luke stated that he was writing to a man named Theophilus. It seems that most scholars of Scripture believe that Theophilus was a high-ranking Roman official. Luke does address him as “most honorable”. It is assumed by many scholars, that this man was a believer but had many questions about Jesus and his new faith in Him.
Remember, during this study, that Luke is not a Jewish believer but rather a Gentile believer. And since he is credited with not only writing this Gospel, but also the Acts of the Apostles, he wrote more in the New Testament than any other writer, even more then the Apostle Paul. The Gospel of Luke is the longest Book in the New Testament. From different references to Luke in the New Testament, we know that Luke was a physician and had accompanied the Apostle Paul on many of his journeys.
OUR APPLICATION FOR TODAY:
I want to leave you with a challenge from Luke 1:4: “so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught”.
Most of you reading this devotional are probably believers. You have been taught truths about Jesus that brought you to the point of making your decision to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to be your Lord and Savior. But it is also true of all believers that the evil one never gives up trying to steal our faith or diminish our peace in the Lord. Luke understood this and wanted the reader of his Gospel to be certain of his faith. If you and I don’t stay faithful in the study of God’s word and consistent in our weekly worship services, it won’t be long before we start feeling very uncertain of our faith – the devil will make sure of it. That is why the Hebrew writer said: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25).
Father, help me to stay diligent in my pursuit of you. Open my mind to your truths, as I read the Bible. Speak through my pastor, as I listen to the message you give him. Remind me to always put you before all other activities, when it comes to my time to worship with God’s family. In Jesus’s Name, amen.