Luke Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of LUKE

Luke is the author of this gospel which is named after him.  He is also the author of Acts.  He was moved by the Holy Spirit to write the account of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.  (Luke 1:1-4)  He wanted us to “know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”  When you study Luke, please notice a few unusual things about his writing.  For example, he tells us more about the virgin birth than the other three gospels.  Who else but a physician should tell such a miracle?  Luke was a physician.  See Colossians 4:14 where Paul called him “the beloved physician.”

Luke went with Paul on two of Paul’s missionary journeys.  He was with Paul while he was a prisoner of the Emperor Nero in Rome.  Luke’s symbol is a man.  His message is that Jesus Christ is the Son of Man.

As you study the Gospel of Luke, you will notice how often Luke records about Jesus visiting those people called “out-casts” by the world.  It begins with angels announcing Jesus’ birth to shepherds.  The shepherds were considered to have a lowly job, that of caring for sheep.  Yet God came to them. (Lk 2:8-20)  These shepherds became the first proclaimers of Jesus (Lk 2:17-18).  See Luke 4:33-41 for more examples.  Then in Luke 5:12 -15 the leper was visited and healed.  In Luke 5:18-20 a man with palsy is healed.  We are all outcast from God when we are not saved.  He comes to us, the outcasts, and brings us into the family of God.  We, who were nobody, became somebody when we received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.  All because Jesus came to save sinners -“the outcasts.”  Please take note of the ones He came to and healed.  Many of these were outcast, but He came to them.

Key Verses:  Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

KEY WORD:  Son of Man.  Found twenty-six times.

Theme:  The theme of the Gospel of Luke is the humanity of Christ (The Perfect Man).

DATE:  60 A.D.

WRITER:  Luke – A Gentile, a Greek, a medical doctor, native of Syria, companion of Paul, author of Acts, not one of twelve Apostles, educated man and keen observer, and only non-Jewish writer of New Testament (Mark: half-Jew).

WRITTEN: Luke is written to Theophilus – Love of God (Theos = God, and Phileo= Love) and from Caesarea probably.

THE BOOK:    No. in the Bible:  42nd of 66 Books in Bible,         No. of Chapters: 24,       No. in Order of Writing: 3^rd in New Testament,             No. of Verses: 1,151

PURPOSE:  To set in order the circumstances and events surrounding the life and ministry of our Lord.  To give assurance and faith to those who follow Him.

DIVISIONS:  1. Introduction (1:1-4).  2. Background (1:5-2:52). 3. Beginning of his Ministry (3:1-4:13).  4. His Ministry in Galilee (4:14-9:50).  5. Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:45).  6. Last Week in Jerusalem (19:45-23:56).  7. Resurrection and Ascension (Ch. 24).

OUTLINE:  I. Introduction (Prologue).  II.  Events Relating to the Saviour’s Coming (1:1-14) – 1. His birth at Bethlehem (1:5, 2:39); 2. His boyhood at Nazareth (2:40-52); 3. His baptism at Jordan (3:1-22); 4. His background in history (3:23-38); and 5. His battle with Satan (4:1-13).  III.  Events Relating to the Saviour’s Career (4:14; 21:38) – 1. The work in Galilee – a. the work commenced (4:14; 5:17); b. the work criticized (5:18; 6:11); c. the work climaxed (6:12; 9:50).  2. The Way to Golgotha (9:51; 21:38) – His enemies used a variety of approaches to stop Him:  a. the scholastic approach (9:51; 10:42); b. the slanderous approach (11:1-28); c. the sophisticated approach (11:29-52); d. the systematic approach (11:53; 13:9); e. the sermonic approach (13:10-30); f. the scare approach (13:31-35); g. the subtle approach (14:1-35); h. the sarcastic approach ( 15:1-32); i. the scoffing approach (16:1; 17:10); j. the selfish approach (17:11-19); k. the snobbish approach (17:20; 19:27); l. the straightforward approach (19:28; 20:19); and m. the seductive approach (20:20; 21:38).  IV. Events Relating to the Saviour’s Cross (22-24) – 1. The Table (22:1-38); 2. The Tears (22:39-53); 3. The Trials (22:54; 23:31); 4. The Tree (23:32-49); 5. The Tomb (23:50-56); and 6. The Triumph (24:1-53).

MISCELLANEOUS:  Things mentioned only in Luke:  1. The Virgin Birth, full particulars of the Mystery of Mysteries; 2. Visit of the Shepherds; 3. Childhood of Jesus, visit to temple at age twelve; 4. Manhood of Jesus – a. “toiled with hands”; b. “wept over city”; c. “knelt in prayer”; and d. “suffering.”  5. Healing Malcus’ ear.  6. Gospel to outcasts – a. Good Samaritan (10:33); b. Publican (18:13); c. Prodigal (15:11); d. Zachaeus; and e. Bloody sweat in Gethsemane.   Facts about Luke – 1. Devoted to God (Acts 21:14); 2. Obsessed with Compassion (Acts 16:10); 3. Consecrated to Work (II Tim. 4:11); 4. Talented in Field (Col. 4:14); 5. Observant of Facts (Luke 1:4; Acts 1:1,2); 6. Reliable in Tasks (Philemon 24); 7. Loved by Fellow-Workers (Col. 4:14; Acts 21:17) 8.  Understood Men (Acts 27:28); 9. Kind to all (Acts 21:1-11); and Enjoyed the Blessings of God.                                      

Dr. Tom Wallace

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