The New Testament in Brief (3)—Luke - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
Luke 24:38-39 NKJV

The New Testament in Brief (3)—Luke
Luke, meaning "a light," is the only known Gentile inspired to write Scripture. Here Christ is presented beautifully as "the Son of Man." Every part of the book combines to set forth the reality and perfection of His manhood. Here we have His birth announced and described, His increasing in wisdom and stature, His accessibility as One tenderly interested in the welfare of mankind, His desire to eat with His disciples, His forgiving words from the cross, His demonstrating to His disciples the reality of His bodily resurrection, and His bodily ascension to heaven.

If authority is seen in Matthew and service in Mark, it is grace that shines so brilliantly in Luke, grace that comes not only to Israel, but overflows to Gentiles as well. This is seen strikingly in the parables and miracles of the Lord Jesus. Hence too, that grace which delights to bless and to lift one into the presence of God, cannot be satisfied with anything less than the warm, unhindered communion of His saints.

This is involved in the peace offering character of His sacrifice, which is predominant in Luke. It emphasizes His work as bringing God and man together in peace and concord, God receiving His portion of the food of the offering. The Priest (Christ) receives His portion also, and the offerers also have their portion to partake of. As with the peace offering of Leviticus 3, all, as it were, are seen eating together.

-- L. M. Grant

As we wait in Thine own presence,
Brought by Thee to God so nigh,
As we solemnly remember,
Thou for us didst deign to die.

-- W. J. Hocking