That’s what the name Theophilus means and to whom Luke writes his good news account.
Is Theophilus a person Luke knows or is he writing to all who love God? We aren’t sure.
What we know is Luke read other narratives about Jesus - perhaps Mark’s and Matthew’s – and decided to make his own examination and publish the results.
Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account…
Carefully investigated! Orderly account! This doesn’t surprise us. Luke is a physician. He now applies his natural curiosity and organized mind to the life and claims of Jesus.
Who were Luke’s sources? Where did He gather evidence? He tells us - those who from the first were eyewitnesses!
Luke’s gospel also bears the imprint of God’s Hand. Certainly, it is God who gives Luke a desire to share the Lord’s story and guides him in the composition.
Here in the very first paragraph the good doctor reveals his own personal estimation of the evidence – so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught!
Luke is fully convinced. He’s certain about Jesus. And he is sure Theophilus will be too after reading this gospel.
Not only Theophilus, but every one who loves God!
This is something people struggle with. And on one hand, it s human nature - because of our sin we doubt. But we doubt not only slf, we sometimes doubt God because of our mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHave I done so much wrong that He can't forgive me?
Could the God of the universe really love someone like me?
Who is man, that you are mindful of him
Yet Luke writes: that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Ah certainty. It's an absolute, firm, knwoledge. Not as we may often think of hope (with a questioning aspect) but a hope that is "our only hope." Not a faith that is a belief we are pretty sure of - but a faith like factual proven truth. Certainty.
John would later pen: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you kay know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)
As well, when we do have doubts "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before Him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20)
John wrote of his gospel: Now Jesus did many other things in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the SOn of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:30-31)
While we are to "continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:13) We can also be assured of our salvation through Him; we can KNOW and have CERTAINTY - and that's an encouraging aspect.
Listen to this again:
God is bigger than our hearts!