We reviewed Luke last week both because of the long break we had and because looking more at the background in preparation for Acts has really clarified the book of Luke in my mind. Probably should have done it sooner! LOL.
But... we found we could fairly easily think our way through Luke. The narrative books are nice that way.
Luke 1-3 starts at the beginning....way at the beginning with the announcements of both the births of John and of Jesus. We noticed again how carefully Luke detailed times and places in his desire to provide an accurate historical background for all that would happen next.
Luke 4-7 is all we have of Jesus early ministry and significantly it centers around the call of three disciples, Peter, James and John. They are the "main" Apostles early in the book of Acts, so their calling is dutifully recorded. Also Jesus' announcement of the 12 Apostles is almost formal here: Luke's recording it for history.
Of course there are miracles; they were a significant testimony to who Christ was, both in the fact no one could do them that wasn't God, and that they were prophesied to reveal Christ when he came.
At the beginning of Luke 8 they, [Jesus, his disciples and the women] were "traveling about proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God." This section is all Luke records about most of the time Jesus was ministering on earth. Again we have documentation of miracles. Luke also records the large crowds following him in 8:4, 8:40, 9:14, and 9:37. This was not accomplished in secret. Jesus' life and preaching were a major historic event.
There's a transition in 9:44. Jesus admonishes the disciples to listen carefully and then tells them he's going to die. All the crowds and the excitement are making them think the kingdom is about to be established and he says to them.... I'm going to die. They don't understand it. They don't believe it.
They continue to argue about who will be the greatest.... probably thinking about the cushiest job in the kingdom...secretary of state or vice president....something big.
The next 10 chapters record Jesus last 6 months of life. In 19:28 the text says Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to die. I think that's why this section has such a big focus on discipleship and counting the cost and making the conscious choice to follow him. Jesus is getting his followers ready for their mission. Luke is getting his readers ready for Acts.
In chapter 19, verse 28 Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. He's proclaimed King! But the Jewish leaders repeatedly ask, by whose authority are you doing these things. It's all coming to a head.
Jesus trials are recorded in most of chapter 23. Look carefully at verses 4, 11, 13, 15, 22, and 25. Six times Jesus is found innocent. Luke wants everyone to be clear on this point: Jesus was not executed as a law breaker or because of rebellion and sedition. He was executed because of the disbelief of the leaders of Judaism, and more importantly, because of the will of God. He said he was going to die, and he did.
Luke's record of Jesus death, burial and resurrection, like the record of his birth, is full of names and places. We know exactly who the Jewish leaders were, who was the governor and king, who helped Jesus carry the cross and who rescued and buried the body. Historical detail. You don't believe Jesus was really dead? Ask Joseph of Aramethea... he handled the body. Would he have sealed him in a tomb if there was a chance he was still alive? The readers of Luke could have probably found Joseph's son or at least grandson and asked him about it. Historical detail.
We found we could think our way through a very simple outline of Luke:
Jesus birth,
the beginnings of his ministry and foundation for future ministry by establishing the Apostles,
the vast crowds during the middle years of his ministry,
the preparation of the disciples for that future ministry in Jesus' last 6 months,
his arrest, death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
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