June 20, 2014 (Friday)
The gospel of Luke seems to be written to the Greek, just as Matthew was written to the Jew and Mark to the Roman. Luke was devoted to the Apostle Paul, and, as a physician, attended to the health needs of the great missionary, joining him as he traveled to various places to share the good news that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Luke presents Jesus as our compassionate Savior, and continues the story in the Book of Acts, as His Spirit fills the hearts of His people who go to the ends of the earth to share His love. Luke tells the story of how the angels announced the birth of Jesus with “glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.” He shows how Jesus reached out to people like non-Jews and women. He tells stories of Jesus’ work that the other gospel writers do not share.
Luke – A devotional thought
Luke is careful to show us how Jesus did not omit anyone as He reached out to love, heal and teach people. An old song tells the story:
“Does Jesus care
when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press,
and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.”