For
Thursday, November
20,
2025:
Luke
1:3-4
NLT: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning,
I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most
honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of
everything you were taught.”
Thanksgiving
is almost upon us, followed by Advent and then Christmas. So I
thought is would be a good time to review Luke from the beginning.
Luke was never a major disciple of Jesus, but rather a once-removed
disciple of Paul, who the risen Jesus personally
converted
on the road to Damascus. There are records of Luke traveling with Paul and evangelizing alongside
him.
Luke
was also known as a healer, a physician, so we would expect him to
have above-average intelligence. As Luke authored his Gospel, he
quoted eyewitnesses who had seen and heard the Savior speak;
eyewitnesses who had personally seen miracles play out! I look at
Luke as an investigative reporter who interviewed countless people
and condensed their stories into an accurate biography of Jesus’
life. He’s writing to “Theophilus,” which means, “Lover of
God.” We don’t know if Theophilus is a person, a group of God
lovers, or all those who love the Lord nowadays. Perhaps, “All of
the above!” Luke stresses the accuracy and truthfulness of his
Jesus biography. So listen up and take good notes!
So
that we know our location on the timeline of history, Luke tells us
that Herod was the king, and Zechariah was serving as a Temple
priest. Z’s wife Elizabeth was barren, so they were without
children. And Luke tells us, “They were both very old.” Zechariah
and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of
the Lord’s commandments and regulations, and yet, childless.
The
odds were against anyone serving in the Temple sanctuary. It was the
day for Z’s group to serve, but they chose by lot which individual
would receive the honored call.
Much
happened while Z was serving, which we’ll cover next time. See how
this plays out in God’s vast eternal plan! Hint: Elizabeth was a
cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus!
Pastor
Norton Lawellin
Jesus
In the City Fellowship
The
Father’s House
Truth
and Freedom Church
