Major Themes in the Gospel of Luke
QUESTION: What are the major themes in the Gospel of Luke?
ANSWER:
Each New Testament book has a specific theme or purpose and produces evidence buttressing it. Each book also produces subsidiary themes equally rich in depth, clarity, and application. Luke's primary theme is Christianity's universal nature and appeal. Among other proofs substantiating that purpose are these:
- He dedicated his gospel to a Gentile (Luke 1:1-4)
- He traced Christ's ancestry to the first man, Adam (Luke 3:23-37)
- He included Christ's sermon in Nazareth that guaranteed for Gentiles spiritual
- The benefits denied Jews (Luke 4:14-30) He spoke positively of Samaritans (Luke 9:51-55, 10:30-37, 17:11-19)
- He included women as valuable followers (Luke 8:1-3, 10:38-42, 18:1-7, 21:1-4, 23:27-31, 24:1, 10)
- That God used many different people to introduce Jesus to history (Luke 1:26, 2:1, 4, 8, 25, 36)
- That Jesus has a distinctive and singular role in God's kingdom (Luke 1:32-33, 4:20, 7:14-15, 9:34-36, 20:34-38)
- That discipleship has particular characteristics: witnessing (Luke 5:10), compassion (Luke 13:19), gratitude (Luke 7:44-47) are among them
- That prayer has a distinctive role for believers (Luke 3:21, 6:12, 11:1, 18:1)
- That God longs to forgive sinners (Luke 15:1-32)
- That wealth is useful only as a ministry to others (Luke 12:21, 16:9, 20, 18:22)
- That human leaders can resist but cannot overcome God's will (Luke 5:21, 6:2, 11:45, 12:2, 14:1)
What do you think?
We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
What is your response?
What is your response?
