Scripture: Luke 1:1-4
Observation: Luke begins to share the intention of his Gospel. He writes to Theophilus "so that he may be certain of the truth of everything you were taught." Luke writes 30+ years after these events ended. An important event happened in 70 CE that helped Luke focus his attention to the opening of this letter/Gospel - the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Roman ruling power.
Application: If the world was hanging on by a thread in 70 CE than imagine how these words help us focus our attention in 2015. The story Luke begins to tell is to help us understand what has already been told to the disciples. It causes me to imagine that Theophilus was already a learned disciple, knowing the stories of Jesus and being baptized in his death and resurrection.
Just as Luke wants to tell the story of Good News while the world around him seemed to be crumbling, we have a chance to recapture that same story, a different story than the world is telling.
This story is an alternative to the story that is being told to us by the world. It is a story of an outcast family, literal refugees, being counted for the benefit of the ruling power. It is a story of impossible things made possible by God. It is a story of a light being shone in the darkness. It is God's story, the same then as it is now.
What's Your Story?
Prayer: Lord bring us your presence as we enter into your story.
Observation: Luke begins to share the intention of his Gospel. He writes to Theophilus "so that he may be certain of the truth of everything you were taught." Luke writes 30+ years after these events ended. An important event happened in 70 CE that helped Luke focus his attention to the opening of this letter/Gospel - the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Roman ruling power.
Application: If the world was hanging on by a thread in 70 CE than imagine how these words help us focus our attention in 2015. The story Luke begins to tell is to help us understand what has already been told to the disciples. It causes me to imagine that Theophilus was already a learned disciple, knowing the stories of Jesus and being baptized in his death and resurrection.
Just as Luke wants to tell the story of Good News while the world around him seemed to be crumbling, we have a chance to recapture that same story, a different story than the world is telling.
This story is an alternative to the story that is being told to us by the world. It is a story of an outcast family, literal refugees, being counted for the benefit of the ruling power. It is a story of impossible things made possible by God. It is a story of a light being shone in the darkness. It is God's story, the same then as it is now.
What's Your Story?
Prayer: Lord bring us your presence as we enter into your story.
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