BULLETIN 32- Luke the Apostle
Luke was a gentile whose origins are uncertain, possibly Greek,or Macedonian. He was not a disciple as some people think, but was a close associate of Paul to whom he originally started out as a doctor of medicine following time serving a Roman family, possibly as a slave. The gospel of Luke (and Luke wrote Acts) is the longest, most universally focused of the four gospels and also the most comprehensive concerning Jesus, giving much information that Mark and Matthew did not provide. There is much in common with the other two synoptic gospels, Matthew and Mark, but about half contains parables not otherwise known and compassion and humanity are often stressed. Luke refers to Jesus's prayers more often than the others so this gospel is known as the 'prayer gospel.' The ideal of Jesus's perfection is shown in his response to temptation. As the second Adam he triumphs, whereas the first ADAM fails. Jesus, in rejecting the way of power and glory, was accepting the way of suffering and the cross and obedience to God. Obedience is God's first requirement for us.The original disciples were chosen among those personally known by Jesus ,Acts 1 :21-22. .Jesus's mission and the necessity for his death was inadequately understood by them., Matthew 15:16. After being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost the Apostles acquired new initiative, boldness and spiritual understanding. that led to their evangelising.
Luke gives a very special place to women whereas in Palestine the place of women was low, to the extent that men thanked God that they were not born as women.We read of the widow in the house of Simon the Pharisee anointing the feet of Jesus.. Luke clarifies the picture of Matha of Mary and of Mary Magdalene showing them the way to more emancipation. In Luke, Praising God is used more often than in other parts of the New Testament. Three great hymns sung throughout the generations- the Magnificat (i:46-55).; the Benedictus 1:68-79) and the Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32) have arisen from this.
The outstanding theme of Luke is that of his universal gospel;; he tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37 and the grateful leper was a Samaritan, Luke 17:11-19.. Luke shows Jesus talking with gentiles who were considered unclean. The Roman centurion is praised for the greatness of his faith,Luke 7:9, and Jesus was shown as interested in the poor. the friend of outcasts and sinners, and of Zacchaeus, the quisling tax-gatherer.. Luke of all the gospel writers saw no limits to the love of God. We should remember that as God gave us health and strength that we might use it always in the service of others..Such was the case with Simon's mother -in- law who was in the grip of a major fever. She went on immediately to serve Jesus and her household after being cured at home.Luke explains 'Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,' Matthew 6:10,11, that the Hebrew way of saying things twice held that the second phrase was to amplify or develop the first. Another truth from Luke was that Jesus's hand went out to the untouchable, regardless of if a person was unclean, to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, and so must we do so ourselves. In conclusion, it is when man's skill is combined with God's grace that wonders still happen. Reference William Barclay "The Gospel of Luke".
Blessings.
Amen
-srd