Launching into Luke

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,  I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.  Luke 1:1-4

A New Year is just around the corner...and for the first few months of 2017, I want to invite you to embark on an adventure with me through the Gospel of Luke.  Launching into Luke will take us on twists and turns through Jesus' life.  Luke is a master storyteller.  Luke is often credited not only with the Gospel bearing his name, but also the book of Acts (the history of the early church).  Luke's opening offers us several insights:

1.  He acknowledges that there are other accounts of Jesus' life.  In addition to the three other Gospels in the New Testament, we also know there are Gospels according to Thomas; Judas; Mary Magdalene; James; and others.  Luke tells us these are orderly tellings of Jesus life that were offered by those who knew Jesus...walked with Jesus...knew the sound of his laughter...the sting of tears at Jesus' death...and the mysterious miracle of resurrection/eternal life.

2.  Luke wants to add his voice into the mix...

Stop right there...how would you tell an orderly account of Jesus' life?  Where would you start?

Like Matthew and Luke you might start with a birth of Jesus...like John you might start with a poem...like Mark you might just excitedly jump into Jesus' adult life.

What details other details about Jesus' life stick in your memory banks?  Maybe his baptism?  A parable?  An interaction with religious leaders or tax collectors?

I encourage you to actually try this...write the Gospel of Jesus' life according to you.  What wisdom of God's love sits on your heart and soul that you would want to share with others?  For me, I am taken by the fact that in the Gospels...especially in Luke chapter 1...the phrase, "Do not be afraid" occurs over and over again.  In a time when fear is an undercurrent...when we don't trust others who voted differently than we did...when we don't really know our neighbors...when civic/community involvement is on the decline...fear/isolation/and hold one another at a distance by interacting through a screen becomes a norm.  That is how compelling/relevant the Gospel is for such a time as this.  Do not be afraid.  Remember that there was much to be afraid of in Jesus' day.  Roman ruled with an iron fist.  Roman soldiers where scattered about, constantly peering over your shoulder. Crucifixion was a public policy to keep the masses in-line.  Fear floated in the air.  Yet, God was still creating, even then and there.  What would it mean to start a story of Good News by acknowledging the fear we feel, yet saying that fear does not get the last word?  What would it mean to start a story of the sacred stirring, not in military might or fist pounding on a table because I am right, but in a tiny baby born and laid in a stone cold manger?  That kind of story Luke tells compels and captures my heart.

I invite you to write down details about Jesus' life that you might recall...write a story about Jesus speaking to your heart.

3.  Finally, if you are wondering why or if it is really okay to do such a act...I draw your attention to the name, Theophilus ~ this is can be translated "God-lover" (theo = God...philo = love).  This Gospel is written to God-lovers.  This might have been someone specific or a general word that can embrace us all.  We tell this story of God's love because we have been embraced by God's love.  We tell this story of God's love to invite others into the spirit swirling sense of God here and now.  We tell this story about God's love because we cannot keep quiet.

So take some time...let Luke's introduction spark your imagination to tell the good news (Gospel) of God's presence and love for you my dear, Theophilus- reader.  For you are God's beloved too and we have a story to tell.

May the love of God stir in your heart and connect you to this sacred story of the incarnate presence of God not only 2000 years ago...but here and now in our lives in 2017,

Grace and peace ~~