Hello, dear sisters in CHRIST! I am so excited to read and journal the WORD of God with you.
“GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY” is the theme of this month and GOD willing all our devotions will be based on this. To start with, I wanted to let you know that i have never found much joy in reading the WORD of GOD until I learnt to read it in the right way. Each book of the Bible is addressed to someone, by someone for a specific reason directed by the TRIUNE GOD. And it is very important to know the author, the audience, the period of time it was written to read the book in context. The next important thing is that every passage and verse in the Bible will always point to the gospel of JESUS CHRIST both in the Old and New testament. After knowing the author and the audience, try writing down the highlights of the passage, something that stands out to you and then ask the HOLY SPIRIT to teach you how the passage points to the gospel. Now, when you understand the message GOD intended to deliver through the author to that audience at that particular time and how the passage beautifully points to the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, then ask the HOLY SPIRIT to show you what this passage means to you. If you try applying the passage to yourself without knowing the author and the audience or try pointing to the gospel first you would end up in legalism or hyper grace. Follow this method
(Know the author and the audience —> how it points to the gospel —> how it applies to us)
Before we start off with our first passage in Luke, here are some helpful links to know the author and audience of the book of Luke and the gospel.
Background of Luke : https://youtu.be/cGBVcGPqSpI?si=tztSng0vFySekB9y
Gospel : https://youtu.be/SugluzbW11s?si=UhBVWW_WeAa-ng4V
Luke 1:1-4
This letter is written by a gentile to another gentile! How amazing is that! Luke was a doctor and a gentile as we know from Colossians 4:11,14. Theophilus who is mentioned in Luke 1:3 is also a Gentile as the term “more excellent” is only used for the Roman Governors of that time. This chapter starts by stating that a lot of people have undertaken to write the narrative that has been fulfilled among them. I looked up the definition of the word “fulfilled”, and the term meant that completing something that was promised. But what was promised? The promise is given in Genesis 3:15, where GOD promised to send someone who will break the curse of sin that entered the world through Adam and Eve. And the whole Bible is a big story of this promise is beautifully fulfilled in JESUS CHRIST. This is super cool !! Some of the words that I found interesting in this passage were eyewitness, accurately and certainty. Christianity is a religion where history can be verified and has been passed on to us by eyewitness rather than being built on myths that originated long before. I really loved how Luke by GOD’s grace, himself went and researched to find out the truth. A truth that is marvellous and amazing, a truth that is accurate and life changing, and a truth that is certain! Luke took such pain to write this gospel but this pain meant nothing to him compared to the pain that JESUS CHRIST endured on the cross to save Luke and all who believed in JESUS CHRIST to save them from their sins and that love compelled Luke to write this down. He writes down this truth to his friend Theophilus who is already a Christian (as the word “instructed” tells us that he was already walking in the LORD) to encourage him to know for sure that WHO he was trusting in is absolutely true and certain. Here, Luke is the one who carries the good news of great joy to his friend Theophilus, and by GOD’S grace through the book of Luke you we can read that good news which is accurate and certain and will change our lives forever!! From a gentile (Luke) to a gentile (You)
Self reflection:
1. Luke did not just rest in the narratives of others, he went and researched to find the truth. Are we just relying on what people say about GOD or do we go and research the WORD OF GOD to find out the truth?
2. Has this accurate and certain history changed your life? If so, how? If not, why?
3. Have you taken the this good news to a friend? Pray and ask GOD for grace to do so.
4. We have to reminded ourselves regularly of this good news to be certain and accurate of our hope in JESUS. In what ways can we remind ourselves everyday and our family in CHRIST?
Tip: The above self reflections can not be done on your own but only by the HERO (THE TRIUNE GOD) of the certain and accurate HIS-story and that my friend is the good news of great joy!
