Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 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, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Mark 1:1-11
(find this or any other passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
This bears repeating, again: One Bible, the Word of God, 66 books, four Gospels. The Gospels do not contradict each other. They do tell different pieces of a story, from different perspectives, because they, initially, had four different audiences.
Luke was not a disciple, and probably did not know Jesus. However, Luke 1:1 tells that "many" have gone about the task of chronicling the life of Jesus and the surrounding events and results; and now Luke, a Gentile physician, has now done an investigative piece, and written an "orderly account".
The most excellent Theophilus was probably a Roman official; "most excellent" was a typical greeting for a Roman with a title, and it appears that he commissioned Luke to this task. The writing style and layout of Luke (and the second half of the letter, what we call the book of Acts) is very Greek, very logical, very thorough. In Luke we get many details not found, for a variety of reasons, in the other Gospels; including the boy Jesus in the temple at 12 years of age.
Theophilus had heard and learned about Jesus, and wanted to know more, and have what he had been taught confirmed. Luke provided this affirmation: you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Many of us have heard so much about Jesus, but left it at the hearing. We have such an advantage over Theophilus! We have the finished accounts, of Luke and others, wholly inspired by God Himself.
This Christmas season, won't you take a cue from Theophilus? Won't you gather up every idea you have about Jesus from stories, Sunday School lessons, sermons, magazine articles, and books, and confirm it them from Scripture? If you will pray for guidance then dive into the Gospel accounts of our Savior, something wonderful will happen.
You will come to know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever compared the Christmas stories between the Gospels?
2. Have you ever looked directly to the Word of God to confirm (or deny) what others say about Him?
3. Will you agree to a reading of the Gospels this Christmas season? If you would like to compare the Gospel readings, I've posted a link below, and a sample comparison readings. I welcome any questions that arise from your study.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Parallel reading of the Gospels
from http://www.are-you-for-real.com/easy-to-print/nt01of02-jesus-the-christ.pdf
Jesus The Christ
Introductions by the Gospel Writers
· Mark 1:1
· John 1:1-18
· Luke 1:1-4
The Genealogies of Jesus
· Matthew 1:1-17
· Luke 3:23b-38
The Births of Jesus and John the Baptist
· Luke 1:5-80
· Matthew 1:18-25a
· Luke 2:1-20
· Parallel verses Matthew 1:25b and Luke 2:21
· Luke 2:22-38
Visit of the Magi and Flight into Egypt
·
From Infancy to Manhood
· Parallel verses Matthew 2:19-23 and Luke 2:39-40
· Luke 2:41-52
The Ministry of John the Baptist
· Parallel verses Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-4, and Luke 3:1-6
· Parallel verses Matthew 3:4-6 and Mark 1:5-6
· Parallel verses Matthew 3:7-10 and Luke 3:7-14
· Parallel verses Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, and Luke 3:15-18
· Parallel verses Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, and Luke 3:21-23a
--
Pastor Jim Dorton
http://pastorjimdorton.blogspot.com/
Wyoming UMC
112 Broad Street
Wyoming, De 19934
(302) 697-6651
jdorton@yahoo.com
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