Luke 1:1-4 ~ Can We be Certain about Jesus?
How can we be certain about Jesus?
In the first 4 verses of Luke's gospel, the author tells us that he wrote to most excellent Theophilus, "that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught" (verse 3-4). Luke has previously accompanied Paul on his missionary journey but he was not an eyewitness since he was not present when Jesus was fulfilling His ministry. The question then is how can someone like Luke give us any certainty then?
The answer lies within verses 2-3. Luke has followed all things closely for some time past and has even consulted some of the eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Cross-referencing from 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, we can see that during Paul's mission, some of these eyewitnesses have died but most were still alive, and hence accessible for Luke to conduct a solid investigation about Christ.
This is real history that Luke has recorded for us, only approximately 30-40 years after Jesus' ministry, which is relatively a very close time frame. It is a real factual account of eyewitnesses, many who died for what they believed in: the truth in Christ. Various figures such as Herod, king of Judea (Luke 1:5), Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1), and Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate and Herod (Luke 3:1-2) are real historical figures that can be found in non-Christian historical texts. Even Josephus' "The Jewish Antiquities" lends veracity by providing a non-Christian historical account about Jesus Christ Himself.
Christianity is a historical faith based and rooted in history and person, not philosophy. The burden of proof on those who do not think the Bible is good history is to show that the Bible is not good history. This is a faith that centres around Jesus of real history. Some may use science to argue about the claims that Christianity puts forth. Science is great but it isn't the only access to the truth. After all, science is founded on repeated experimental truths itself. Christianity is "His-Story" for us, a historical truth. Faith is not a leap in the dark but relying, trusting and depending on something that's reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Historical truth is about what happened back then, not now, and so any excuse for not believing because one has yet to encounter some form of "personal experience with God" is not valid. John writes rightly when he tells us the gospel is written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 21:30). Indeed, Christ's words Himself rings true: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).
Jesus' life, death and resurrection is a critical turning point, not just in human history, but more importantly in God's history. Verse 1 highlights that the gospel is a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, and who has accomplished or fulfilled this but none other than God Himself! Luke 24:27, 44-49 also illustrates how Jesus Himself uses the Scriptures to interpret the prophesies concerning Himself, a focus on His own death and resurrection. It is not just vital to know these things happened but the meaning and significance of these events.
Are you certain about Jesus? What does this certainty mean to you in light of your eternity?
In the first 4 verses of Luke's gospel, the author tells us that he wrote to most excellent Theophilus, "that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught" (verse 3-4). Luke has previously accompanied Paul on his missionary journey but he was not an eyewitness since he was not present when Jesus was fulfilling His ministry. The question then is how can someone like Luke give us any certainty then?
The answer lies within verses 2-3. Luke has followed all things closely for some time past and has even consulted some of the eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. Cross-referencing from 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, we can see that during Paul's mission, some of these eyewitnesses have died but most were still alive, and hence accessible for Luke to conduct a solid investigation about Christ.
This is real history that Luke has recorded for us, only approximately 30-40 years after Jesus' ministry, which is relatively a very close time frame. It is a real factual account of eyewitnesses, many who died for what they believed in: the truth in Christ. Various figures such as Herod, king of Judea (Luke 1:5), Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1), and Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate and Herod (Luke 3:1-2) are real historical figures that can be found in non-Christian historical texts. Even Josephus' "The Jewish Antiquities" lends veracity by providing a non-Christian historical account about Jesus Christ Himself.
Christianity is a historical faith based and rooted in history and person, not philosophy. The burden of proof on those who do not think the Bible is good history is to show that the Bible is not good history. This is a faith that centres around Jesus of real history. Some may use science to argue about the claims that Christianity puts forth. Science is great but it isn't the only access to the truth. After all, science is founded on repeated experimental truths itself. Christianity is "His-Story" for us, a historical truth. Faith is not a leap in the dark but relying, trusting and depending on something that's reliable, trustworthy and dependable. Historical truth is about what happened back then, not now, and so any excuse for not believing because one has yet to encounter some form of "personal experience with God" is not valid. John writes rightly when he tells us the gospel is written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 21:30). Indeed, Christ's words Himself rings true: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).
Jesus' life, death and resurrection is a critical turning point, not just in human history, but more importantly in God's history. Verse 1 highlights that the gospel is a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, and who has accomplished or fulfilled this but none other than God Himself! Luke 24:27, 44-49 also illustrates how Jesus Himself uses the Scriptures to interpret the prophesies concerning Himself, a focus on His own death and resurrection. It is not just vital to know these things happened but the meaning and significance of these events.
Are you certain about Jesus? What does this certainty mean to you in light of your eternity?
Labels: Australia, Christianity, Luke
posted by Shih Ying GUN (Jane) @ 5:50 PM
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home