Gospel of Luke, Chapters 1-9, 17-24

I thought it was very interesting that Luke begins his Gospel by stating that he wrote this story based on accounts from eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. He makes it clear that HE was not an eyewitness of the life of Jesus, which is a common misconception about the Gospel writers. Luke begins his Gospel by speaking about Jesus’ birth and ends it detailing His death and resurrection, following a typical biographical format. But what is interesting about the way Luke arranged his Gospel is his emphasis on Jesus’ teachings and parables. The “meat” of Luke’s Gospel is comprised of stories regarding Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem, emphasizing Jesus’ role as a teacher or minister. Luke frequently uses other characters to say something about Jesus. Usually, questions asked by gentiles or followers of Jesus prompt his parables or “teachable moments.” For example, in The woman who was a sinner (11:36-51), Jesus uses the Pharisee’s harsh condemnation of the repenting woman as an opportunity to teach the ignorant Pharisee. The Pharisee’s words prompted Jesus to tell the story of two men with debt, one who owed 500 and one who owed 50. Both men were unable to pay, yet their creditor let them off. Jesus emphasizes that the man who owed 500 will love and appreciate the creditor more than the man who only owed 50. He used this metaphor to teach the Pharisee that God forgives those who show great love and humble repentance. This story is one of many in which Jesus uses others’ commentary to teach how to love God and follow His will. The high points of this Gospel include Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus’ parables, the Transfiguration, the Resurrection, and the Ascension.