Lukes Gospel - Fiction First Aid - Book Report/Review Example

Luke’s Gospel Luke’s Gospel Introduction The gospel according to St. Luke was written by Luke who was a native ofAntioch in Syria and who is believed to have been a physician by profession. According to records, Luke was not a Jew, as Paul referred to him in his letter to the Colossians as “he is not counted among them of the circumcision.” Jews underwent the rite of circumcision hence Luke was not a Jew. He was probably a Gentile who was well educated in Greek culture. It is not clear when he was converted, but may he was among the seventy disciples (Luke 10:1-24). The book is referred to as a literary masterpiece in New Testament. It is the third book among the synoptic gospel books. The book was addressed to Theophilus which means "loved by God" or "dear to God" (Luke 1:3). The Ancient tradition holds that he wrote the Gospel under the influence of St Paul who happened to be his close friend and confidant and one who journeyed with him to his imprisonment in Rome. It is even more justifiable to assume that the Evangelist was inspired by the Holy Spirit to study the history of Jesus and write a book used by Christians even now. He gathered information from a number of sources including the preaching of Jesus, information from eyewitnesses and his fellow evangelist St. Paul (Bryan 2005, pg. 40). Luke was also the author of the canonical Acts of Apostles. The gospel of Luke is the longest gospel covering approximately twenty-five percent of the New Testament. My objective in this paper is to explore the characteristics of Luke’s gospel and their implications on the church in the 21st Century in relation to Mission and Ministry, his attitude towards the Gentiles and the place of the Holy Spirit (Joachim 1967, pg. 32). Characteristics of the Gospel of Luke Luke presents Jesus in his manhood, he observed that he toiled with his hands, wept for the city, prayed and experienced agony and suffering. The term "Son of man" is mentioned 26 times in the gospel. It emphasizes on the Lords humanity as contrasted to His deity that is, "Son of God." This implies that He is the ideal Man and a true representative of the human race. He is presented as being compassionate to the outcasts more clearly than in the other gospel books. Though Luke uses terms such as Christ, Son of God, and Lord they are not as prominent as they are elsewhere. In Luke’s gospel, the humanity of Jesus shines all through.  Groups of outcasts that he shows concern for including Samaritans and Gentiles; tax-collectors and sinners women; and the poor (Obstfeld 2002, pg. 56). Lukes unique interest for Samaritans and Gentiles is evident. He is the only one who records the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luk10:25-37) and the Story of the Ten Lepers (Luk17:11-19). Due to the omission of withdrawal from Galilee, Jesus does not minister directly to Gentiles as presented in Matthew and Mark.  He instead sends his servants a second time to the field so as to bring in more people for the Great Supper (Luk14:23). This is indicative of the intention to reach the Gentiles wherever they may be found. Luke emphasizes salvation for all regardless of one’s social standing. God’s mercy is sufficient both to the gentiles and the Israelites. Luke’s gospel has been called the "Gospel of Womanhood." More women are mentioned in his account as compared to the other gospels. He makes references about women forty-five times in his Gospel. In narrating the births of Jesus and John the Baptist, the stories are told from the women’s viewpoint that is, Mary and Elizabeth respectively. Apart from just the male prophet Simeon, there was even more elderly female prophetess Anna, who recognized the birth of the Christ (Luk2:25-38).  In the pairs of parables presented in distinctive fashion in Lukes gospel. There is a balance between male and female roles for example; a mans farming occupation and the womans bread-baking occupation; Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven (Luk13: 18-21) and the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin (Luk15:3-10).  There are instances in two Sabbath days a crippled woman and a crippled man are healed (Luk13:10-17; 14:1-6). ).  It is only in the Luke’s gospel where we read and hear the names of the well-to-do women (Luk8: 1-3) who supported Jesus and the apostles.  They paid for their traveling expenses and accompanied them on the road. An abundance of food is portrayed in the gospel of Luke. Some of the parables have the settings of banquet and feasts. He makes nineteen references to food or a meal out of which thirteen are exclusive into his gospel. The references show the significance of gathering together for a meal. Jesus revealed himself during every feast or meal time so as to make his followers understand who he is and what his teachings were all about. It is through food and meals that he disclosed his divine identity and that he is the source of both physical and spiritual life (Schiffman 1991, pg. 34). Worship and prayers are central in the hymns recorded in the Gospel. Among the Mary’s song of praise (Luk1:46-55). He also sheds light on Jesus’ private prayer life (Luk5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28).The gospel is thus seen more like a gospel of prayer. Prayer is the main focus of the three parables unique to this gospel: the Persistent Widow (Luk18:1-8), the Friend at Midnight (Luk11:5-8) and the Pharisee and Tax-collector (Luk18:9-14).  The gospel of Luke emphasis on Jesus’ Ministry to the excluded oppressed and disadvantaged. The focus appears from the start of the magnification, and Jesus again makes it the central message during his first act of preaching: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to preach to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luk4: 18). There are a number of “lost and found” stories including the missing coin, the stray sheep and the wayward son all which are found in Luke. Luke gives special interest to the poor, disabled, and shepherds. He heals them and strongly emphasized the need to love and care the poor, weak, and disabled who are abandoned by their families, friends, and the society. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luk16:19-31) represents the neglected at the expense of the rich godless who in the long run recognizes that his family has not become right with God.  Unlike Mark and Matthew, Lukes gospel is clearly written more for a gentile audience. Being a companion of Paul, it is sure that the book was written from the Greek cities in which Paul had worked. For this reason it tells the story in slightly different ways than the other gospels. It also has a different political self-consciousness since its writing was predominantly for gentiles in the Greek cities. When they talk about Jesus, theres more emphasis on the political situation of the Jews. This is clearly indicated in the way that he tells the parable of the lost son. The story is about Lukes view of the relationship between gentiles and Jews in the house of God. The church is described as being willing to accept both the faithful brother (the Jews), together with the prodigal son (the gentiles). Lukes vision was to bring unity to all humanity in the church that is bringing all children of Gods back together Luke’s attitude towards the gentiles An approach means an expression of favor or disfavor towards a person, thing, place or an event. It is ones tendency to react positively or negatively towards something or someone. Attitude determines an individuals action, and responses to challenges, rewards and incentives. Luke had a positive attitude towards the Gentiles, unlike Matthew. He had a liking for Judaism. He portrays Jesus and his family as loyal Jews who fulfilled the traditions for instance Mary took sacrifices to the temple after the birth of Jesus. Contrary to the other gospel writers, he traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ differently. He seems to have followed the lineage of Mary, and indicated that Heli was the father of Joseph (Luke 3:23). Luke could have interviewed Mary and inserted her lineage into the genealogy that was against Jewish culture during the time of Jesus. He traces the genealogy of Jesus back to Adam an indication that Jesus was Savior to all humankind. Luke uses Old Testament teachings where God’s love was announced to the Gentiles (Luk2:32, 4: 25-77). Luke’s positive portrayal does not result from a positive evaluation of the role of Judaism in fulfilling God’s plan for humankind. Luke was a gentile Christian who believed that Christians represented the true Israel and the Jews the rejected Israel. The rejection represented the prophesied destruction of the temple during the time of Jesus and a recent happening when Luke was writing the gospel. Luke agreed with the prophetic view of saving the remnants of the faithful Jews who carry on the covenant even when others have abandoned. The saving remnant becomes smaller and smaller until the time of Jesus, he Jesus was the only remnant and his disciples. After the death of Christ, the saving remnant was the church and covenanted people continue to grow within the church. Themes of the gospel of Luke A theme is the subject matter or the topic in a piece of writing. Some theological themes play an important role in the writings of Luke. He shows special care for some groups of people which includes; the poor vs. the rich (Luke Beatitudes, Luk6:20-23) In the case of poor Lazarus, he is exalted while the Rich man is subjected to eternal fire. The outcasts: immoral woman (Luk7:36-50), lepers (Luk17:19-21), tax collectors, criminals and rebellious runaways (Luk15:11-32). Forgiveness for the sinful willing to repent is assured as Jesus came for the sinners and not the holy. Luke mentions the temple in Jerusalem. In the gospel, the Jews and their scriptures are presented. Jesus fulfilled prophesies that were made in the Old Testament, but He was rejected (Luk11:14-36). He became the Savior of the world and replaced the temple Himself. Implications of Luke’s gospel to the church today The compassion of Jesus to the suffering and his teaching to his followers on the need to take care of the needy have made the 21st Century church take it as its responsibility to care for the less fortunate. The church has established institutions that are charged with the mandate of providing care to the disadvantaged, for example, homes for the orphans and the poor. Luke’s emphasize of the need not to exclude the Gentiles from the gospel has led to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ with particular focus on those who have not yet encountered Jesus in their lives. It is for this reason that Christianity has spread worldwide. Just like the prodigal son everyone is worth God’s mercy. The importance of worship and prayers has been enhanced as the bridge between the 21st Century Christians and God. Following the example of Jesus prayers have been used in times of Thanksgivings, needs and praise treating them as a weapon that Christians should use. Luke mentions the Mission of the 70 who were sent out by Jesus to go and spread the gospel. Seventy denotes the languages of the World (Gen10). This implies that the gospel was meant for all people in the World. Christians in the 21st Century borrow from this in their evangelical works. They travel all over the World to preach the gospel. He spoke of world evangelization though he noted that it would take time for the church to accomplish (Luke24:47). Luke emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is here and now as well as future consummation has made the 21st Century Christians ready to inherit the kingdom of God by denouncing Satan and his sinful ways (Luk10:9-11). Need for preparation is outlined through parables such as the parable of a delayed return of the master (Luk19:11-27). The Gospel of Luke describes the relationship that ought to exist between the Church and the Government. Christianity is not presented as a threat to the Roman government contrary to the Government’s initial perception. Christians are urged to support the Government. When Jesus was approached while teaching in the Temple and was asked if it is right to give tribute to Cesar. He said, “Give to Cesar what belongs to him and offer to God what is God’s. Following this teaching the Christians carry out their responsibilities to the State, for example, through payment of taxes. The Government also consults the church on national issues such as solving conflicts (Luk20). The Church in the 21st Century relies on the help of the Holy Spirit to avoid sin, understand the word of God, comfort them in times of difficulties, conform to the will of God and connect them to God through prayers. The Holy Spirit is what Jesus gave to his followers as a companion. In the gospel of Luke, the role of the Holy Spirit is emphasized. The place of the holy spirit in the gospel of Luke Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity that comprises God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised his Apostles that he would send them the Holy Spirit to be their companion after his Crucifixion and Resurrection. They received it came on Pentecost (Steven 2004, pg. 32). Luke emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was conceived of Virgin Mary by the Spirit (Luk1:35) and is anointed with the Spirit during his baptism (Luk3:22; 4:1, 14, 18). There was a prophesy that Jesus will be filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother’s womb, Elizabeth the mother to John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luk1:15, 41, 67) and Simeon was also inspired by the Spirit (Luk2:25–27). God gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask (Luk11:13). Through prayers, one gets connected to God’s Spirit. Conclusion Luke refers to the Holy Spirit more often than Matthew or Mark and the Holy Spirit is central to the story of Acts. The Holy Spirit in the church, today, has a responsibility of dwelling in Christ followers so as to make them look like Him and empower them to continue with Jesus Ministry (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit helps Christians in their weakness (Rom. 8:26), works through the Scripture and people to change the hearts of Christians (1 Cor. 2:six–14: John 14:26; Rom. 8:14), intercede for Christians through prayers (Rom. 8:26) and convicts Christians to conform to Jesus’ will. References Bryan, C. (2005) Render to Caesar: Jesus, the Early Church, and the Roman Superpower. New York: Oxford University Press. Joachim, J. (1967). The Prayers of Jesus, SCM Press, London. Obstfeld, R. (2002), Fiction First Aid: Instant Remedies for Novels. Stories and Scripts,Writers Digest Books Schiffman, L. H. (1991). From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism, Pearson, New York. Steven L. (2004). Getting the Gospels: Understanding the New Testament Accounts of Jesus Life. Wiley, New York. The Book of Luke. 2010. New King James Version. Read More