Bible Reading Blog
“We Can Trust the Gospel”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Luke 1
As Luke begins his narrative, he clearly states the intent of his message: to give certainty regarding the plan of God through Jesus (Luke 1.4). By this time stories had evolved about Jesus that sounded like fiction or legend (for instance, the Gospel of Thomas). It seems his recipient, Theophilus, may have been exposed to some of this misinformation (Luke 1.3). And so, Luke began by demonstrating his credibility and desire to accurately tell the story of Jesus to his friend.
We learn that Luke had followed the ministry of Jesus closely for some time (Luke 1.3) and he was aware of what others had written (Luke 1.1). It is obvious that he took a long and careful look at what he was about to write. As a doctor and historian, Luke was thorough. In fact, he includes lots of fresh material not found in the other gospels. Luke goes to great lengths to explain the roots of this new movement, by detailing the story of its founder and the tie he has to God’s long-promised redemption. He includes facts that were observed and verified by multiple witnesses. As a solid ancient historian, Luke referenced both written and oral accounts, as well as his own experience in his effort to compile this narrative. Luke’s statement of intent coupled with his carefulness and thoroughness makes his gospel a credible source of information for believers.
Such credibility in a multicultural context is still necessary today. We live in a world that often regards Christianity as one of many ways to God. It is popular to dismiss faith in Jesus as simply one cultural expression of religion. Furthermore, many say the scriptures are filled with fabrication or have been altered to meet the specific interests of one group's agenda. The fact is, the exclusive claims of Jesus fly in the face of a worldview that sees all attempts to reach God as legitimate.
And so, we need to know that we can trust the gospel as we read it. People today need to be reassured that the decision to follow Christ is for the best. Luke argues that Christianity is unique. What God did in Jesus, he did for those who have come into this community, as well as for others like them who recognize they must come to God on his terms, not their own.
The exclusivity of Christ offers great confidence but should give us great pause. Should I invest my life in only following Jesus? Can we know with certainty that Jesus is the only way? Luke believed so, but he invites us to examine the evidence for ourselves.
