Number Ten comes from the Lenten series, BROKEN AND BELOVED. Walt imagines the gospel writer, Luke, as he sits at his desk and works on his story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He has good news to share and for centuries, we have been blessed by his words.
Jesus Story Retold - Luke’s Passion for the Story
STEP ONE: BREATHE
Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.
STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD
“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.”
— Luke 1: 1-4
At a small wooden desk, the old man sat with his writing materials. A tiny clay oil lamp gave a flickering light to the room. Though it was late, Luke wrote with all the passion of someone decades younger. The words flowed effortlessly from his spirit to the parchment.
Luke wrote dear Theophilus - or 'lover of God.' It was a smart way of saying that he wrote this story for everyone who loved and sought after God. The story was good news and for years to come Christians would call it "Gospel."
Luke had gathered the stories from Jesus's life for some time. Some he based on Mark's Gospel account, written a few years prior. Others came from other less famous sources. Tales around campfires that he remembered hearing as a boy. Like precious gems, Luke carefully handled each and arranged them in an order that seemed fitting.
He always wished that he had been alive when Jesus carried out his earthly ministry. Imagine what it must have been like to be a part of the crowd as Jesus preached about God's kingdom and healed the sick. No wonder folks still shared the stories throughout the region. They were powerful and gave hope.
Luke wrote with a purpose. He would give an orderly account so that others might know and understand concerning the truth that lied at the heart of faith. The life of Jesus demonstrated God's liberating love for all humanity. God desired to be in fellowship with a broken creation. It was a story that Luke felt compelled to tell to not only those who never heard it but also to lovers of God. It was a sacred story for believers to cherish and to strengthen faith.
Page after page, the stories of Jesus's compassion smoothly flowed. In particular, tales about Jesus's infamous table fellowship with outcasts and sinners caught Luke's attention. It was remarkable. No wonder Jesus had such a reputation - a glutton and a drunkard - amongst the holier-than-thou Pharisees. Instead of comprehending these meals as visible signs of God's restorative kingdom, they saw them as sordid affairs.
The aging physician knew a thing or two about healing. From years of practicing medical arts, Luke knew of the isolation and separation that illness of mind, body, and spirit could wreck on individuals and communities. Again, when Jesus healed, it pointed to the larger reality of God's realm breaking forth into our own. Peace - Shalom - wholeness - this was the gift of a generous God whose steadfast love was endless.
Luke wrote such beautiful prose for generations to come. A thousand years later, scholars would extoll his skilled use of the Greek language. People all over the world would treasure Jesus-stories known only through his Gospel (such as the Prodigal Son, the manger in Bethlehem, and the Good Samaritan). To this very day, twenty-one centuries later, Christian living is inspired by Luke's orderly account. As the broken and beloved children of God, our faith is comforted and challenged by the way he told Jesus's story.
STEP THREE: RESPOND IN PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, be with me on this day. By your Spirit, empower and strengthen me in my faith so that my love for you might compel me to respond with faithful actions to praise you and to love my neighbor. Through Jesus, amen.