When we get to reading Luke (in biblical order) we have come to the third telling of the Good News of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And, as we read, there will be new material, and also some familiar phrases and story order.

Luke creates his account for Theophilus (literally translated “Lover of God”) following the same basic outline as Matthew and Mark in their gospels. Jesus starts His public ministry in Galilee. He journeys south through Samaria and Judea, preaching and working miracles along the way. And He is crucified and raised from the tomb near the holy city of Jerusalem. Like Matthew (and unlike Mark), Luke gives us an account of the birth of Jesus. Luke also repeats some of the stories and parables we find in Matthew and Mark, and then treats us to some wonderfully unique and popular parables of Jesus. Reading Luke adds another layer of understanding of Jesus.

Luke 1:1-4

1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, ³ I, too, decided, as one having a grasp of everything from the start, to write a well-ordered account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may have a firm grasp of the words in which you have been instructed.

Prayer

As I read the gospels, Dear God, help me fall more in love with Jesus. In whose name I pray. Amen.