Dr. Luke - A Giant of the Faith

January 2

(Acts 1:1-2 NIV) “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”

(Luke 1:1-4 NIV) "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, {2} just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. {3} Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, {4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."

Most Bible scholars agree that a physician named Luke was the author of Acts, and that the “former book” he speaks of is what we know as the Gospel of Luke. He wasn’t one of the original disciples, but came to faith early in the church’s history. Luke was a physician who accompanied some of the early disciples on their journeys. He is also referred to in several of Paul’s epistles. The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were likely a two-volume set, written to share the story of Jesus and the early church. Luke had been commissioned by a man named Theophilus. Early in the Gospel of Luke, this man is referred to as “most excellent Theophilus”, which indicates that he was a high-ranking government official -- one who had become a seeker of truth. Luke gave him a full dose of Jesus, and if we finish his book, that’s what we will also get from this giant of the faith. Thank you Dr. Luke. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Living Beyond Your Means

January 1

(Acts 1:1-2 NIV) “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.”

The first two verses of the book of Acts give us some important details about Jesus Christ. He lived and died, and then was raised to life again. After His resurrection, He taught His chosen apostles in the power of the Holy Spirit, preparing them for His departure. He was then taken up to heaven by God. In two verses, Luke recognizes the sovereignty of God, establishes the resurrection and the ascension as historical events, and declares the apostles as divinely chosen to establish Christ’s church. Many books in the Bible teach what Christianity should look like when lived out in the individual believer. The book of Acts teaches what Christianity should look like when lived out corporately as the church. It is the story of ordinary people trusting in God fully, and being enabled to do things that were far beyond their ability. By faith, they lived beyond their means -- and by faith, we can too. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Physician Still Speaks

December 31

(Luke 1:31-33 NIV) "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. {32} He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, {33} and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.""

(Daniel 7:13-14 NIV) "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. {14} He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

(Psalms 119:89 NIV) "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."

(Isaiah 26:4 NIV) "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."

Luke was a physician -- a healer. He came to know Christ and then spoke about it by writing the gospel that we have been immersed in for a year. The physician has spoken. Will you? Will you share the truth of Jesus with someone in the year to come? The Jesus that Luke spoke of is also a physician -- the Great Physician. He is our Healer, our Savior, and our Lord. He is the King of kings, and will reign on the throne of Heaven forever. His kingdom has no end. His dominion is everlasting. He was born the Lord, He died as Lord, and He lives as Lord. At some point in time, every knee will bow before His glory and power. Jesus Christ is eternal and His word is eternal. The Great Physician is still speaking. He is calling to His creation. He is calling you. Will you hear Him? Will you come and follow Him? Will you be His disciple? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Keep Growing

December 30

(Luke 2:52 NIV) "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

(1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV) "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, {3} now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

(Ephesians 4:11-15 NIV)  "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."

Luke sums up approximately eighteen years of Christ’s life in one verse. He tells us that from age twelve until about the age of thirty, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature -- physical stature, and spiritual stature. He also grew in favor with God, and with the people around Him. His Father treasured Him and was well pleased with Him, and His neighbors grew to respect Him deeply. Jesus kept growing until the day He died. So it should be with those who belong to Him. We who call ourselves disciples are called to keep growing until the day of our last breath. You have tasted the Lord. Now, crave his word, so that you can grow up in your salvation. Through prayer and Scripture, continuously expand your knowledge of Jesus, so that you may become mature. Fill yourself with the fullness of Christ. Grow up into Him. This is one of the best ways to have a happy new year. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day