June 13 Purposeful Effort

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 an historian. He is a man of knowledge who sees the power of details. He wants to know what is right and tell what is right.  
     Before writing his gospel message of Jesus’ life, Luke has been experiencing Jesus in various ways. First, many think, he was with Jesus when Jesus commissioned the 72 disciples (see Luke 10). Luke also accompanied the Apostle Paul and help start churches. Luke recorded those journeys and much more of the early church in Acts. Luke has witnessed the gospel of grace transform lives. And he wants others to know.   
     That is why Luke wrote this gospel message. Luke is being a good disciple to tell the gospel to his friend. Surely Luke thought, “Theophilus needs to know about Jesus! He has asked to know. And so I will tell him all evidence I have to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind. How wonderful it would be if Theophilus would confess Jesus as Lord of his life.”
     Please remember as you read through these lessons that Luke is writing as an informed historian. He has personally experienced and witnessed Jesus’ transforming power. In addition, Luke has interviewed “eyewitnesses and servants of the Lord” to know their experiences with the risen Christ. Luke learned the details of Jesus’ life from Mary, the disciples and others who followed Jesus or opposed him. Then he told the evidence of Jesus to Theophilus and to the world.
     This is where our gospel journey begins. This gospel journey is to help grow your knowledge more deeply into God’s truth, so you, too, will become a more purposeful eyewitness of Jesus’ power in your own life. Prayerfully, knowing more of Jesus, we will all become better disciples. Our hearts and mouths will be eager to tell the truth of the Lord’s saving grace to those who have yet to believe.
 
Prayer: O Lord, teach me more of you, so I will be a faithful eyewitness to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.