Luke is the third of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) in the New Testament. Luke was a trained doctor and a Gentile by birth who accompanied the apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Luke was very loyal to Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) and this steadfastness of character shows the heart of the man who wrote this gospel, the first volume of a two-part story about the life and power of Christ. Luke continues his narrative on the work of Jesus Christ, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the early church, in the book of Acts.

The gospel of Luke has many similarities to that of Matthew and Mark but is distinctive in the sense that Luke shows four main characteristics in his writings:

1. Literary skill
2. Emphasis on historical detail
3. Theological significance of the life of Jesus Christ
4. A pastoral concern for his readers

One of the main themes of the Gospel is the nature of Jesus being the ‘messiah’ (meaning the ‘anointed one’) and his mission to bring the gospel of the Kingdom to the world. This theme of anointing, mission and Kingdom is carried on in Luke’s writing in the book of Acts.

Birth and Childhood of Jesus Christ

The first two chapters of Luke cover the birth and childhood of Jesus. Of all the gospels, Luke goes into the most detail about the early years of his Jesus’s life. These early chapters also parallel the birth and ministry of John the Baptist with Jesus. Although only about six months older than Jesus, John the Baptist was a forerunner and prophetic trailblazer for the life of the Messiah here on earth.  These early chapters also tell the story of a generation who were waiting in eager expectation for the fulfilment of the coming of the Messiah. This was a generation who were well-versed in the Scriptures we now know as the Old Testament.  Throughout these writings, the coming of Jesus Christ and his ushering in of the Kingdom of God had been foretold and prophesied. Simeon and Anna were among this faithful generation who were fixing their eyes on Jesus in all his radiance and glory. Through this, we see the wonderful continuity that flows from the promise of the Old Testament into the fulfilment of the New Testament. The covenant that is seen and foreshadowed in the Old Testament is made alive and becomes a wonderful reality in the life of Christ

The Announcement of Mission

Luke Chapters 3–5 follow Jesus on a journey from his baptism in water into his temptation in the desert where he overcomes the devil.  Jesus then went to Nazareth and announced to the world his mission. from Isaiah 61:1-2:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”

These chapters also highlight the ultimate plan and purpose of Jesus Christ’s coming to earth.  John the Baptist announces that Christ will ‘baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire’ (Luke 3:16).  This promise by John the Baptist is repeated in all four gospel accounts. The incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ that are seen in the book of Luke all point to the reality and experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we see in Acts 2. The coming of the Holy Spirit in power and anointing is the ongoing ministry and mission of Christ in and through his church. 

Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem

The ministry of Christ described by Luke revolves around two geographical centres and regions.  In the region of Galilee, we see Jesus announcing his mission and intent to ‘preach the good news of the kingdom of God’ (Luke 4:43).  We also see the beginnings of Jesus’s controversy with the Pharisees typified by dialogue and conversation over the people he socialises with, and the fasting habits of his disciples. 

The gospel of Luke picks out the fact that Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles from among his disciples. This fact and detail described by Luke shows the importance of the choosing of these twelve men to be apostles. The word apostle comes from the Greek word ‘apostello’ meaning “ones sent with a special commission”. Christ, as the chief apostle (Hebrews 3:1) sends his disciples into the world with their Kingdom mandate and commission. In the same way that Christ was sent by the Father, we are now sent with the same power and anointing through the life of the Holy Spirit living in us to fulfil the same mandate of proclaiming and announcing the gospel of the Kingdom.

Towards the end of chapter nine, we see Jesus moving towards Jerusalem. Luke picks up on the fact that ‘he set his face to go to Jerusalem’.  He resolutely set out for Jerusalem as he knew that this would be the place of the ultimate victory and conquest over sin and death, to be won and sealed on the cross.

In Galilee and Jerusalem, we see that Jesus was fully aware of the context of the surroundings of his ministry. In the more rural context of Galilee, Jesus uses agricultural illustrations to make his Kingdom message known (e.g. Luke 8:1-15).  When he moves to Jerusalem, he touches on issues more connected with wealth and commerce that would be more readily associated with city life (e.g. 16:1-31).

Salvation Plan

One of the key components of the book of Luke is God’s salvation plan. Two of Luke’s favourite phrases are ‘preach the gospel’ and ‘salvation’.  The proclaiming and demonstrating of the Gospel is seen in the life of Jesus, his teaching, healing, acts of compassion and miracles.  The content of this gospel message is summed up in Luke 19:10:

‘The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost’

This salvation plan was announced and seen in the life of Jesus and achieved and made possible for all people by his death and resurrection on the cross. Luke describes the events leading up to the crucifixion as depicted in the other gospels.  He also picks up on some details that the other gospel writers don’t mention. For instance, Luke names the women whom the two angels spoke to after the resurrection of Christ in Luke 24:10. Luke’s meticulous attention to detail adds further meaning and power to the truth of the gospel message. 

The wonderful truth of the gospel of the Kingdom and God’s plan of salvation is that it doesn’t stop with the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the atoning work of Christ on the cross, our sins are totally forgiven. This is a glorious fact and one we should never take for granted.  However, Christ died and rose again so that, in his ascension and glory at the right hand of the Father, he could pour out the Holy Spirit on all people as promised and prophesied throughout Scripture. Luke picks up on this truth and shows how Jesus reiterates this promise towards the end of the book in 24:29:

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high”

Conclusion

The end of the gospel of Luke finishes with the description of the ascension of Christ in the vicinity of Bethany.  Jesus returns to Bethany as he ascends to the right hand of his Father in heaven.  Bethany is a significant place in the Bible.   

• Bethany is a place of anointing – Matthew 26:6-13
• Bethany is a place of revealed purpose – Luke 10:38-42
• Bethany is a place of resurrection power – John 11:1-44
• Bethany is a place of worship – Luke 24:50-53

The gospel of Luke ends with a sense of anticipation and excitement of what is to come. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Scriptures and you sense that he can’t wait to go from Luke 24 to Acts 1 to carry on the next chapter of the unfolding and eternal plan and purpose of God!. The gospel of Luke records and details the glorious life of Christ here on earth.  It records his incarnation, his humanity and his compassion. It records his divine power; it tells of his miracles and speaks of his wisdom and insight. The gospel of Luke points back to the historical significance of Jesus being revealed through the pages of the Old Testament. It also points forward to God’s power being demonstrated throughout the New Testament by the person and power of the Holy Spirit.

There is a helpful overview of Luke, in two parts, at the Bible Project: Part 1 covers Luke 1-9 and Part 2 covers Luke 10-24.