I'm going to begin a sermon series on the four gospels and I'm beginning with the gospel of Luke. The first Sunday of the month we have communion and Luke is the gospel writer who is most concerned about ritual.
In Luke's gospel the disciples recognize the Risen Christ when they see him on the beach while he was breaking the bread and inviting them to eat. Luke is one of the two gospels holding out for the idea that the Risen Christ appeared in a physical form. Luke is trying to dispel the idea of the Gnostic Christians that the flesh is unimportant so, for Luke, the Risen Christ comes in the flesh.
Luke is also the gospel that has Jesus most connected to the concerns of women. You might even call Luke the "feminist gospel".
Finally, Luke portrays Jesus as relating to common, ordinary people. It is the common shepherds who come to the birth of the Christ Child.
Luke is a fascinating writer; maybe John is as good, and has given us an interesting picture of Jesus.
Luke was written 50 years after Jesus' death on the cross and had Mark as a base for his writing. We really don't know who the writer is. Some think he was a physician but most scholars will not support that theory.
Luke wrote the gospel narrative about the life of Jesus but he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles about the development of the church.
Most people, when I ask which is their favorite gospel will select Luke.
What do you think? Do you ever wonder about the different images of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Which one do you like best?
If you have thoughts on this or suggestions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
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