Inasmuch as many have
undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished
among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and
ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also,
having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly
account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty
concerning the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4).
The Lord has seen fit to give us four accounts
of the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We call these
accounts gospels. Jesus preached a gospel Himself… “One day, as Jesus was
teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests
and the scribes with the elders came up” (Luke 20:1). He gave His
disciples a commission and authority to preach His gospel to the world… “And
he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons
and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and
to heal… And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel
and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-2, 6). Just what is the gospel? The
Greek word translated gospel is euangelizō and it means to announce good
news. What sets Luke’s gospel apart from the others is not its author or
its content. What makes Luke’s gospel different and the perfect complement to
the other three gospels is his audience. In this wonderful account we have
received the gospel for lovers.
All the gospels come from the same Author.
Although we have received these accounts from four different writers, each of
them was inspired by the same Author, the Holy Spirit… “For no prophecy
was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried
along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The purpose and work of the
Holy Spirit is to remind us of the truth revealed by the life and ministry of
Jesus Christ… “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 have said to you” (John 14:26). Luke’s gospel and the Holy Spirit are
gifts from God to enable us to walk with Jesus and discover and enjoy His
precious truth everyday… “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide
you into all the truth… He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and
declare it to you” (John 16:13-14).
All the gospels contain the same good news.
The Spirit defines the good news of the gospels through the pen of the Apostle
Paul… “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you…
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ
died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that
he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1
Corinthians 15:1, 3-4). In the Revelation, the Spirit reveals that this
same good news is reflected in four different ways… “And around the throne,
on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front
and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature
like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth
living creature like an eagle in flight” (Revelation 4:6-7). Luke’s gospel
is a historical narrative that begins with the priest Zechariah serving before
the sacrificial altar of the Lord, and ends with Christ’s revelation to His
disciples that He was the final sacrifice pointed to in the scriptures… “And
beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the
Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). For this reason
Luke’s gospel is represented by the sacrificial ox of the Revelation.
What makes Luke’s gospel different is his unique
audience, identified by the writer himself… “Most excellent Theophilus” (Luke
1:3). Theophilus is a Greek name that can be translated lover of God
or loved of God. The Holy Spirit selected Theophilus to represent God’s
chosen audience for this precious gospel. It was his love for God that made him
most excellent in God’s eyes. Maturing disciples like Theophilus
who love God will be transformed by the powerful truth revealed by the Holy
Spirit in Luke’s gospel… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you
forever, even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15-17).
As we grow up into Christ we are
blessed and transformed by the truth of…
The Gospel for Lovers.
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