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Luke 1:1-4
Luke addresses his letter to “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3, NKJV), which according to the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary means, “lover [or friend] of God.” Many believe that this title was used by Luke as a general address to those who believe (Christians) and would read this letter, however, the words “most excellent” were commonly used to address someone of high importance and/or a highly respected Roman official who had been converted to Christianity.
Luke tells us that “many” people have written accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus, “those things which have been fulfilled among us,” (Luke 1:1), and in that, some must have been somewhat confusing or false as he decides to write his own account of these events in which he has a “perfect understanding” (Luke 1:3) so that “Theophilus” may be certain of what he has previously been instructed (Luke 1:4).
This is Luke’s narrative given in “perfect understanding” “of those things which have been fulfilled among us” (Luke 1:1).
Luke was a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul and he documented a large portion of Paul’s ministry. Luke’s dedication to the details allows us to see the ministry of the Apostles from a third person point of view as he witnessed and documented the events of his writings. We would have no reputable knowledge of Jesus without the letters written by the disciples of Jesus and those who were eyewitnesses to the events of the life and ministry of Jesus. The orders from Jesus of the Great Commission as recorded in Luke 24:44-49 state, “Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.’” Matthew 28:18-20 states, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” We, likewise, as we learn of and accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, should share His love and how He is working in our lives through His Holy Spirit in doing our part to help fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus.
Dear Lord,
Please give us the strength and humility to share with others how You are working in our lives through Your Holy Spirit, which You sent to live in our hearts and be our guide to life through our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.