The Gospel of Luke has been called "the most beautiful book ever written," and it is, for many people, their favorite gospel.
For Tuesday's class, please read through my study questions on the Gospel of Luke (also attached to the syllabus for the sake of those who prefer hard copy). Then read through the first twelve chapters of Luke's Gospel. Then do one of the following:
1. Pick out a verse or passage that you think particularly well shows why people find this gospel attractive and explain your choice of this particular passage.
2. Choose one of the study guide questions and suggest an answer.
8. Compare Luke 21 and Matthew 24. How do you explain the differences between these passages?
ReplyDeleteThe first difference is the story of the widow in Luke’s gospel. Matthew’s gospel does not include this story. It seems that Luke uses this story to hit home what Jesus is about to say about the end times. The widow giving all she has is a representation of a passage found in Luke’s gospel. Luke 9:24 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Giving all that she had is a parallel to giving her life to Christ. Another difference, which also shows the beauty of Luke’s gospel, is of the description of catastrophes of the end times. In Luke’s Gospel they are described in more detail then in Matthew’s. The catastrophes themselves are not beautiful, but Luke gives more description to give more emphasis on what is coming. The last difference is that Luke uses more description, but in fewer verses then Matthew does. This puts that point forward that Luke wrote more for everyone to understand, then did Matthew at certain times. -Kelly Longden
5. Purpose of Luke's parables
ReplyDeleteLuke includes these stories because it shows a major reversal in the thinking of his audience. The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29) shows a contradiction in society that would have been a shock to his audience that included Gentiles looking for change. We also see the concept of redemption in the story of the prodigal son in which Luke illustrates God's mercy through the father forgiving and embracing his son after he squandered his inheritance. In the story of the dishonest steward we see a rich man commending his steward for settling his debts at a decreased rate. Again we see that contradiction to societal views that brings hope to the poor and the gentile people.
-Zack Krage
Question 9. Luke concludes his Gospel with the ascension of Jesus. His disciples are left to praise him and live continually at the temple. Luke's reason for ending the gospel like this may be in order to provide closure. as far as i am aware there is no other account of what happens to Jesus at the end of his earthly life. It tied everything up rather quickly and without much more explanation. He needed to be ascended as well, you can't just end the story of the Messiah by having him die again. it was ment to show people that he is eternal. -Sean McCracken
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Luke spends a long time on the birth of Jesus and gives many details about it. Really, the entirety of Luke's gospel is filled with more detail than other gospels, especially Mark's. I think a reason for this is that Luke was a convert to the early church, much like Paul. The story of Jesus fascinated him and he wanted others to be equally fascinated by everything he had come to learn about him. Luke probably did a lot of research and talked with people who had actually witnessed what he writes about. I account for the differences between his gospel and Matthew's as he is trying to account for a gentile audience who does not know anything about Jesus and Jewish prophecy. He desires to share it with them; gentiles needed the extra detail to really get why it was so important. -Zach Kuhlman
ReplyDeleteI am not personally a huge fan of the gospel of Luke as a whole but one of my favorite passages in the bible is Luke 9:10-17. Jesus takes 5 loaves of bread and divides gives it to "5 thousand men" this number is probably not even including all the women and children that would have been there. And after the fact there was even leftovers. This is appealing to people because it shows the great power of God but also shows his generosity they could have sent the people away to fend for themselves but instead they are all given free food and were full after eating it. This shows people how good Jesus is and even goes back to the golden rule of treat others the way you want to be treated. Jesus treated people so wonderfully and for a while the people treated him great as well. In conclusion Jesus could have sent the people away but instead he shared what he had with them as a jester of kindness so they could spend more time with him. -Taylor Linn
ReplyDeleteLuke 1:37, For nothing is impossible with God. I believe that this is one of the most important verses in Luke because it states something that needs to be hammered into every Christian’s brain the day that they except Christ into their heats because it is so true. Having a bad day pray, having a good day pray, anything you ask of God is always possible.
ReplyDelete1. Luke opens with the solid fact that he is writing the gospel for Theophilus, but he also states that he has done his research about all the things that have happened. This is different for the other gospel we have read because this gospel is more for the non-believers and the Gentiles. He explains that he had done his research and that he wants to write down these events or the people.
-Liz Matson
Luke 6:37-38,"Don't judge others,and you will not be judged. Don't accuse others of being guilty, and you will not be accused of being guilty. Forgive, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you." I believe that this is why it shows that this gospel is so attractive because with in this passage it tells that those who help the less fortunate and mot to judge those because you yourself can also be judged, but rather be kind and do not judge and God will reward you in heaven.
ReplyDeleteI chose Luke 8:26-39 which is about the story of the demons who call themselves Legion. This story gives an example of a hopeless situation. The man was so hopelessly possessed that chains and guards could not contain him, but Jesus only has to speak at these demons and they go into a herd of pigs. The man ends up being just fine and running around telling the good news. This would give hope to anyone who thought they were too far gone for Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThe passage where John the Baptist is born and his father regains his ability to speak is not a commonly appreciated passage, but it shows well why people enjoy the gospel of Luke. This gospel specifically is focused on the people of the story of Christ. It gives so much background and detail before the Christ is even born. It also makes use of beautiful prose, shown in Zechariah's song (and Mary's song, earlier).
ReplyDeleteClaire DeMilia
Luke 1:41-43, "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?'"
ReplyDeleteI think this is a beautiful passage because it expresses the miracle of life. The births of Jesus and John the Baptist were miracles in themselves, but the way Luke words everything brings out the beauty of life and, more so, the beauty and wonder of God.
-Melinda Quade