LUKE, THE MESSAGE

The idea for this lesson came from a recent presentation by Ed Gallagher at the Freed-Hardeman University lectureship.

Luke’s approach itself is unique in that he was not a first-hand witness of Christ, but he composed his account from eye-witness testimony (see 1:1-4). His Gospel is also placed in a greater historical context than the other three (see 1:5; 2:1-2; 3:1-2). Now let’s briefly note three major focal points of Luke’s Gospel account.

1. A MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE

No other Gospel account speaks as frequently about repentance. Note the following:

1. John and repentance.

1. He preached a “baptism of repentance” (3:3).
2. He commanded: “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance (3:8),” and then explained what that would look like to various people who asked him (see verses 10-14).
3. John also explained that there would be consequences according to whether or not one repented (see v. 17).
4. On three occasions Jesus had a meal with a Pharisee(s) or other sinners.
5. The Pharisee and the sinful woman (7:36-40). The woman demonstrated her repentance through anointing the feet of Jesus and through her sorrow.
6. A Pharisee asked Jesus to eat with him (11:37-44). Jesus makes him aware of his need to repent of his greed and wickedness (see v. 39).
7. A Sabbath day meal with a ruler of the Pharisees (14:1-6).

* It is important to note that Luke’s Gospel gives great emphasis to Jesus spending time with sinners for the purpose of seeking their repentance.

1. The three parables of Luke 15 are all related to repentance.
2. The lost sheep (15:1-7).
3. The lost coin (15:8-10).
4. The prodigal son (15:11-32).

* All three have to do with the joy that takes place in heaven (and should take place on earth) with the repentance of one precious soul (see vv. 7, 10, 32).

1. The rich young ruler (18:18-23). This young man was unwilling to give his belongings (and his heart) to the Lord.
2. Zaccheus was willing to right any wrong he had done (see 19:1-10).
3. Other teachings on repentance:
4. “And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (5:31-32).
5. “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (9:23).
6. “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (13:3).
7. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (14:26; also see vv. 27-33).
8. “And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (17:1-4).
9. EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO PRAYER
10. Jesus prayed at His baptism (3:21).
11. Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve (6:12).
12. Jesus prayed in the midst of the twelve (9:18).
13. The Lord taught the apostles how to pray (11:1-4).
14. Jesus taught persistence in prayer (18:1-8).
15.   Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives (22:39-46).
16. Jesus prayed as He took His last breath (23:46).

III.  EMPHASIS UPON MONEY AND ONE’S ATTITUDE TOWARD IT

1. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (6:24).
2. The Parable of the Great Banquet (14:12-24).
3. The Parable of the Dishonest Manager (16:1-13).
4. The Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31).
5. The Parable of the Ten Minas (19:11-27).

This study was hardly exhaustive but surely sufficient to show three major focal points of Luke’s Gospel. May the Lord help us all to renounce whatever necessary to faithfully follow Him with pure hearts!

Daren Schroeder