Luke Intro 1:1-25

Welcome to our journey through the Bible. Today, we begin with the third Gospel account—The Gospel of Luke—a uniquely detailed and compassion-filled portrait of Jesus Christ. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when God sees and seeks the forgotten, Luke’s Gospel is your answer.

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Authorship & Background

The Gospel of Luke is believed to have been written by Luke, the beloved physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. He is also the author of the Book of Acts, as both are addressed to the same recipient, Theophilus (Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1). That connection, along with his precision in recording events, suggests Luke was not only medically trained but a skilled historian as well.

Interestingly, Luke is the only Gentile author of Scripture, making his contribution even more powerful—because God uses all nations to tell His story.

Written roughly 25 years after Jesus’ resurrection, Luke offers an orderly and intentional narrative "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:4).

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A Gospel for the Marginalized

What sets Luke apart is his focus on the outsiders—women, children, Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners. As a physician, Luke knew what it meant to care for the weak and overlooked, and he presents Jesus as the Savior who does the same.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives...” — Luke 4:18

Luke sees the same Jesus as Matthew and Mark, but through a different lens—one of compassion, outreach, and grace.

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The Opening of the Gospel (Luke 1:1–25)

Luke opens with an elegant sentence in Greek—just one in verses 1–4—that reflects the tone of a well-educated scholar. But then, the language shifts. It becomes more conversational, more accessible. This is a Gospel for everyone.

We’re introduced to Zacharias and Elizabeth, a couple from priestly lineage and righteous before God, yet barren—a status misunderstood in their culture as judgment.

In the temple, while offering incense during the "hour of prayer," Zacharias receives a divine visitation from the angel Gabriel, who tells him his long-unanswered prayer is being fulfilled. His wife will have a son: John, who will prepare the way for the Lord (Luke 1:13–17).

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.” — Luke 1:19

Zacharias, doubtful despite the glory before him, is rendered mute until the prophecy is fulfilled—a powerful reminder: God's promises do not depend on our doubts.

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Fulfillment of Prophecy

Luke’s writing is steeped in Old Testament connections:

• Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice crying in the wilderness…”

• Malachi 3:1 – “I send my messenger…”

• Luke 19:10 – “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke doesn’t just tell stories—he proves Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling ancient promises with historical accuracy and theological clarity.

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Application: Jesus Still Seeks the Lost

Luke’s Gospel reminds us that:

• God never forgets a prayer (Luke 1:13)

• Delay is not denial—some prayers take years to bloom, but they’re never wasted

• The Kingdom of God is near—and it's our joy and duty to proclaim it

Jesus is the Savior who notices the hurting. He still seeks the lost today. His mission hasn’t changed—and neither has ours.

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Final Word

To those who feel forgotten, unworthy, or disqualified, Luke's Gospel says: You are the reason He came. And just like Zacharias, we may wrestle with belief—but God is faithful to finish what He started.

Let’s walk through Luke together. Let’s rediscover Jesus through the eyes of a compassionate historian who carefully crafted every word so we could be certain of the truth we believe.

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Next Post Preview: We'll dive deeper into the birth of John the Baptist and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan through two miraculous pregnancies—Elizabeth’s and Mary’s.

Sermon Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/s0fT77XIypE?feature=shared