Presbyter's Ramblings

Presbyter`s Ramblings

 We are in the lectionary year of Luke. So what is this Gospel about and who wrote it? Tradition teaches that it was written by Luke the physician, a disciple and companion of St. Paul. The epistles of Colossians, Philemon and 2^nd Timothy all mention Luke.

He was either a gentile or a Hellenistic Jew, scholarship is divided. Scholarship is also divided about his status as a martyr.

He is revered as a saint. St Luke is patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, notaries, butchers, brewers, and others; his feast day is the 18^th of October. Luke is also understood to have written the book of Acts.

He wants to tell a fuller chronological story of Jesus that found in Mark. In Luke the story of Jesus begins at conception through to his ascension into heaven. Luke alone tells of the ascension.

 Some of the Themes in Luke’s Gospel

Luke has an emphasis on the Kingdom Of God, which is seen in small and even in unnoticeable ways; the kingdom is like a mustard seed, is like a lost coin, is in a relationship between a father and his wayward son. The kingdom of God turns things on their heads. The lowly are lifted up and the mighty are brought down.

A significant thread through Luke’s gospel and the Book of Acts is the place of women in the Jesus story and in the ministry and mission of the early church. Luke has a concern for the otherwise insignificant people. This included women but also children, the poor and the disreputable ‘sinners’.

 Jerusalem and the temple are important features in his telling of the story. He sets in his temple scenes people at worship. Mathew and Mark feature Galilee as the place of importance. In these two gospels the disciples are told to go to Galilee to see the risen Lord, while in Luke the risen Lord is met in Jerusalem.

 The Holy Spirit holds a significant place in the gospel. Luke in the Greek text uses the same word “the-Lord” for Jesus as the Greek Old Testament uses for God . Luke’s Gospel in no way implies that Gentile Christianity was to displace Judaism.

(Matt Skinner Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary).

 I find in Luke a unique and interesting telling of the gospel of Jesus. He describes who Jesus is and what he did and why he is worth following. He can be forthright and challenging. It is a hopeful gospel especially for the people at the very bottom of society.

                                                                                   Andrew.