What’s the Story?A Biography of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Luke 1:1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
 
 LUKE was a physician and a historian. His profession was based on true evidence and order. In Acts he addressed the early history of the church to Theophilus, and we have learned much from his evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work among the apostles and evangelists.
    Before he wrote Acts, Luke wrote this account of Jesus’ life to Theophilus. “Theophilus” means “friend of God”. This could have been a particular Jewish man given that name for his faith in the God of Abraham. Or Luke may have addressed this to a group of Jews and Gentiles who wanted to know more of Jesus. Dear reader, you can even understand this biography of Jesus is addressed to you. You are a friend of God, aren’t you?
    Please remember as you read through these lessons that Luke is writing as an informed historian. As is true with Matthew, Mark and John, Luke had personally experienced and witnessed Jesus’ transforming power. He also learned from “eyewitnesses and servants of the Lord faithfully administering Jesus’ gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Macedonia and Rome.
    Yes, all Scripture is inspired to teach you of God, (1 Timothy 3:16). It is correct to know Luke’s words come from the Word and are about the Word. And the Spirit wants the Word to come to you so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
    The Bible is God’s very personal history – “his story” – for your education to point your heart to God’s salvation.
    Luke is an orderly story to help us know the entire life span of the incarnate Son of God. Read the gospel and be a witness of God’s grace through the Son. This will help you reflect Jesus to the world. When you know Luke’s words, you will become a more purposeful eyewitness of Jesus’ power that reveals a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)