Theophilus

Gospel of Luke 1:1-4 (The Message)

So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives.

Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.

Today we begin our study of the Gospel of Luke. It's going to take a while.

While we won't cover every single verse, my thought right now is that we'll just go a day at a time (kind of like life, right?), and we'll get there when we get there.

There's a lot to take in.

So, we start at the beginning. That's a good place.

Theophilus.

He's the person for whom Luke is writing. Of course, these 2,000 years later, it feels a lot like Luke is writing for us. And, of course, it turns out that he is.

But he also wrote for Theophilus.

Not just any "theophilus," but "most honorable" Theophilus.

That title leads many biblical scholars to believe that Theophilus was Luke's "patron." That is, that through Theophilus' influence and credibility, Luke would be able to establish his Gospel even more quickly.

Did you know that there is a circle in which you have that Theophilus-like ability?

You can lend credibility to a cause, to a group or to a story.

And there is some cause, or some ministry to which God is calling you.

Who would have thought that Luke would need someone's help? But it turns out that his Theophilus relationship was significant. And 2,000 years later, we're the beneficiary.

Whose Theophilus can you be? What "patron" can you honor?

Prayer: God, we ask that you would show us the ways that we can be significant in the lives of others. Help us to see that their contributions, united with ours, can change the world when you empower us together.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: Luke 1:5-6