"After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth."~Genesis 8:6-11

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Luke

This book is written by Luke, a physician (Colossians 4:14) to “most excellent Theophilus” (1:3), who was likely a Roman official.  Luke wrote the book from Rome between 64 and 68AD.   Luke says that he writes the book with the purpose of giving Theophilus an orderly account of the events surrounding Christ’s life so that he may have certainty concerning the things he’s been taught(1:3-4).  He gets his information from eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, and is very detailed in his writing, proving that he took great care in compiling this writing.  We can guess from the way that Luke writes (not explaining every mention he makes of the Old Testament) that Theophilus is also a Gentile, but one who has knowledge of the scriptures.

OBSERVATION:
Connective 1:3-4
"It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

 What is connected?
Luke's writing of an orderly account for Theophilus.

 What does it refer back to?
His purpose of giving Theophilus certainty concerning the things he has been taught.

 INTERPRETATION:
Considering the subject matter and quantity of Luke and Acts (both of which Luke wrote to Theophilus) what does this connective reveal about Luke's character?
That Luke's purpose in writing is not merely for information's sake but that he earnestly desired for Theophilus to know the truth and the love of Jesus.  Luke's willingness and effort put forth to write these books for the sake of giving Theophilus confidence in what he has already been taught demonstrates Luke's great love for Thelophilus.  Not only did Luke write two books, but he did so with great care, accuracy and attention to detail.  

 How might Theophilus respond to the care, effort, and thoughtfulness that Luke put into writing these books for him?
Hopefully it would have had a great impact.  Knowing the time and effort that it must have taken, and being the recipient of this tangible expression of love would show Theophilus that the love of Jesus is truly for everyone.

 APPLICATION:
Is there a timeless truth?
The time and effort that we do or do not put into our actions towards others can have a profound effect on how they feel loved.
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