Luke Gospel Essays (2175 words) - Prophets Of Islam,

Luke Gospel Physician and companion of Paul wrote this Gospel in the mid 60's A.D. Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and Acts making him the largest contributor to the New Testament. These writings both begin with dedications to Theophilus, perhaps a potential or recent convert or patron who sponsored the circulation of Luke and Acts. The third Gospel presents Jesus as the Son of Man. The first three chapters and the beginning of the fourth give us the entrance of the Lord into the race, beginning with his genealogy; how he was born and made one of us. Then chapters four through nineteen trace for us the first part of his ministry among men, and especially, his journey toward Jerusalem, with the final chapters dedicated to the last days of sacrifice and triumph. Luke's historical narrative begins as follows: With the birth of Zechariah and Elizabeth's child, John. Elizabeth was barren, she and Zechariah were well along in years but Gabriel, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah saying, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to give him the name John and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit." Zechariah questioned the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." Gabriel said, "I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens." And this was so. A virgin named Mary was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David when the angel, Gabriel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." When Jesus made his virginal entrance into the world, the shepherds were visited by an angel telling them the Savior had been born and they could find him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger in the town of David. The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby. The second item Luke gives us is the story of Jesus' presentation in the temple at the age of 12, and the way he surprised everyone with his ability to answer questions -- his great mental capacity. Some years later, John son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was preparing the way by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. While John was baptizing people, Jesus was baptized too. The heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him and a voice said, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." It was here that Luke gave a detailed account of Jesus' genealogy, tracing it back to Adam. Now Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. Temptations were great. The Spirit led him to the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil tested him in many ways but Jesus did not waiver. As you continue through Luke, you see Jesus teaching and preaching, At one time he was rejected by the people of Nazareth where he had been brought up. Jesus drove out evil spirits from a man possessed by demons. He healed a women suffering from a high fever. People brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hand on each one, he healed them. It was at this time Jesus called his first disciples-Peter (Simon), James, and John. Jesus' teaching and healing continued. He was questioned about his behavior on the Sabbath, concerning fasting and healing. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely. Jesus knew what they were doing. The Pharisees were furious and began to discuss with each other what they might do to Jesus. After praying one night the next