As I started my study of the Gospel of Luke this morning I came to a realization that, if I’d only been paying attention, would have come to me much sooner as the facts have been staring me in the face all of my adult life: 1/2 of the Gospels weren’t written by Jesus’ disciples!
Think of it: Matthew, formerly known as Levi the tax collector (Mark 2, Luke 5) and John were Apostles, members of Jesus’ inner circle of 12 disciples who traveled with Him everywhere He went. However, Luke, who was a physician, historian and early leader in the 1st century church, and Mark, who at one time had been Peter’s interpreter and later, like Luke, had been a companion to Paul, neither of them were among the original 12 disciples!
Another thing to consider: Of all of the Gospel authors, Luke was the only one to write a sequel! The Book of Acts picks up nearly the exact moment his Gospel ends, and continues chronicling the development of the 1st century church through trial and tribulation. He saw it as a natural extension of Christ’s ministry, not as an afterthought.
It makes the study Luke’s writings a little more interesting this morning.