Religious Education: Luke's Gospel

Background to Luke's Gospel

1:1-4 Introduction

• Other people has written accounts so O.T events fulfilled by eye-witnesses
• I, myself, have carefully investigated everything from the beginning (historian)
• It seemed good to write an orderly account for you, Theophilus so you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Why did Luke write the gospel? 

• Tell others of his faith
• Convince Romans that Christians didn't want trouble
• He was a gentile: wanted people to know Christianity wasn't just for Jews
• He wanted poor and outcasts to know good news of Jesus' ministry

Jesus preaching at Nazareth

• Jesus returned Galilee in power of Spirit/ news about him spread as he taught in their synagogues
• He went to Nazareth and on Sabbath day went into synagogue to read
• Scroll of the prophet Isiah was handed to him:
• 'The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
• to preach good news to the poor.
• He has sent me to proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight to blind;
• to release the oppressed
• to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' 
• 'Today the scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.' 

Relevance of his gospel

• Customs different, vital information may have been missed
• Luke's gospel contains stories we can live upon, pertain to everyday issues
• Source of wisdom and inspiration, a sacred scripture and timeless
• People feel vocation to become ministers of religion spreading evangelical material expressed in the gospel. Luke's reasons for setting the gospel empower outcasts today. 

Salvation:

Annunciation

• Mary virgin pledged married Joseph living in Nazareth, Galilee
• 'Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favour with God,
• with child and give birth to son named Jesus,
• will be great named son of most high,
• throne of his father David and reign over house of Jacob forever,
• kingdom will never end.' 
• 'Holy spirit will come upon you power most high overshadow you
• Holy one born called the son of God
• even Elizabeth is  going to have a child even if she is barren
• Nothing impossible with God.' 
• Mary: 'I am the Lord's servant may it be to me as has been said.' 

Birth of Jesus

• Caesar Augustus emperor of entire Roman world when Jesus born
• Issued decree for census: first while Quirinis governor of Syria
• Joseph left Nazareth to Bethlehem Judea proclaimed town of David
• Mary delivered during time in Bethlehem: 'wrapped him in clothes placed him in manger because there was no room for them in the inn.' 
• Shepherds approached by angel of Lord cast the glory of Lord around them and said: 'Don't be afraid I bring good news of joy for all people. Today in town of David a Saviour has been born to you; Christ the Lord. Sign to you: find a baby wrapped in clothes and in a manger...' 
• Heavenly host appeared: 'Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on Earth'

Jesus presented in the temple

• Joseph and Mary took him Jerusalem present him to Lord (every newborn male consecrated…