Luke 1 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Instead of a devotional on chapter 1 of Luke’s gospel (only 80 verses), I would like to offer a brief introduction to the only gospel (or only book in the Bible) written by a Gentile (at least Luke could be a Gentile). We cannot state this categorically. First the author, Luke was not only the author of Luke but also of Acts. That Luke is the author has not been seriously questioned even in the early first centuries. We know he is a doctor for in Col. 4:14, he is called, “Luke, the beloved physician.” He gives details on healing, providing more examples than the other gospel writers displaying a precise vocabulary that only a doctor would know.
Each gospel writer has specific themes they stress. For Mathew, writing from a Jewish perspective to Jews, his gospel stress Jesus as the Jewish Messiah or Son of David. Mark’s gospel stresses the suffering Servant of the Lord written for Romans. John calls Christ the Son of God. Luke, presents Christ as the perfect Man. Luke is the longest gospel of the four.
Luke is writing for new believers. He is writing an orderly, accurate account to Theophilus. Theophilus, literally friend of God, is either a fictious person representing anyone interested in learning more about God or an actual person. I tend to think Theophilus is an actual person. In Acts 1:1 Luke begins, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach . . . .”
Luke knew Paul and Mary well. In fact, Luke may have questioned Mary, the mother of Jesus, and others for his gospel. Luke calls them “eyewitnesses” in 1:2. We know Luke travelled with Paul, because of the “we sections” in Acts. For instance, Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-37; 28:1-16. The way people reacted to Paul, reminds us that Paul regularly needed a doctor to tend to Paul’s beatings he often received.
Mark’s gospel was probably written first and almost everyone agrees that John is last. Luke was probably written somewhere around 65 AD. We think Mark’s gospel was already in circulation and Luke knew the gospel of Mark and was prompted to provide an additional resource. Possibly Matthew was written before Luke as well but not probable.
What are some of the themes Luke works into his gospel? Christology, doxology, soteriology, salvation, the Holy Spirit, prayer, miracles, sense of destiny, prophecy and fulfillment, Israel and the people of God, eschatology, and discipleship and the Christian in the world. Liefeld in Expositor’s Bible Commentary p. 810-814. Regarding Luke’s discussion of Christology, Luke contrast John and Jesus, both called prophets, but Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin Mary (1:26-33). Luke uses other people to stress the theme of Jesus as Messiah. Herod asks, “Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” Luke 9:9 and this is followed by Jesus feeding the five thousand.
Skipping down to salvation, this is one of the reasons Luke writes his gospel. In Luke 9:10, he writes, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” As I Howard Marshall writes in Luke: Historian and Theologian. P. 116, “The central theme in the writings of Luke is that Jesus offers salvation to men.” The root word for salvation is repeated many times in Luke’s gospel. Jesus reaches out to the sinful woman in 7:36-50 and pictures God the Father seeking the lost in the parable of the prodigal son. The theme of the Holy Spirit is also prominent in Luke.
Luke records five healing not mentioned in the other gospels. Luke may have been particularly interested in any medical issues such as healing as proof of Jesus’ divinity. Luke seems to be drawn to God’s gracious work in particular individuals. Such as Zacchaeus and the conversion of the thief on the cross. Without Luke we would also not hear of the prodigal son and the good Samaritan. It is Luke who tells us of the Gentile leper who returned to thank the Lord. Luke tells us of the widow who puts her mite into the treasury. The publican who beats his breast is found in Luke.
Luke also emphasizes the prayer life of the Lord Jesus. At the baptism of Jesus in Luke, we read the Spirit came upon Him while He prayed. Luke 5:16 tells us that He himself often withdrew to the wilderness to pray. In 6:12, he went out to the mountain to pray all night before He choose the 12. Notice in Luke 9:28ff, Luke mentioned prayer twice and the end of 28 and the beginning of v. 29.
Luke includes many examples of believing women: Mary – most of what we know about Mary is found in Luke. Elizabeth, Martha and Mary, the widow of Nain, the immoral woman in Luke 7:36ff. In 8:2ff, we are given more information about women who supported the Lord. In Luke 23:28, he is teaching and caring for women on the way to the cross.
Another distinction are the 5 songs of poems surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus. We also find examples of joy in Luke’s gospel telling us the gospel brings joy to the believer. Joy is everywhere in the story of Christ’s birth in 1:14, 44; 2:10. We are told to rejoice when persecuted in 6:23 and in 15:7, there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents than over 99 who do not need to repent. The disciples experienced joy in 24:41, 52 upon His resurrection.
Dear Lord, may we experience deep joy as we read Luke’s account of Your perfect life, heaven-sent teaching, and sacrificial death followed by Your powerful resurrection. Thank you for the women who saw things spiritually others did not. Encourage us to keep reading, studying, and living for Your eternal glory. In the name of the magnificent Lord Jesus. Amen.