Day #45: So That We May Know
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
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.
Luke 1:1-4, ESV
After having read the first two Gospels, Matthew and Mark, you will note some differences in the way that the Gospel of Luke is written. Luke is a physician. What difference does that make, you may be wondering? Doctors are usually pretty orderly in the way they set out to do things. As an example, think about the way a doctor treats a patient. They typically will get the patient's charts to see their history, then talk to them to find out what is going on, then examine them, then and only then, they will treat the patient. An orderly pattern such as this helps the physician to best do his or her job of treating the patient in the right way.
Note how Luke sets out to present the events of Jesus' life: In his own words, he has closely examined the history of what has taken place and then he sets down an orderly account so that we may know the certainty of what we have been taught. Of course the main thing that gives us confidence is the fact that Luke, like all of the other writings of the Bible, is inspired by God, so its narrative contains no flaws because God would not have permitted error in His holy Word.
So that leaves us with this important point: We can be certain of the things that God wants us to know! And in this particular book, God wants us to know the most important events of the life of Christ. And for all the seekers of the meaning of life down through all of the ages of men, when it gets down to the essence of what they seek, isn't it simply a certainty of why we are here and what we are here for? The beauty of God's Word is that it not only tells us that, but it tells us in such a perfect way that we may indeed know for certain all that God has for us. This is why we read!
Today's reading is Luke 1. For those who like order, this particular Gospel will provide just that.