A Layman Looks at Luke

By Dick Dahlstrom

I have written this look at Luke as a layman. I am not a biblical scholar, theologian or pastor. As I have studied the book of Luke, I wrote what I saw, thought, and I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me. This is not meant to be a commentary or academic thesis. I am not capable of that. Instead, it is what I have come to see and love about Luke. He was a layman and historian, not one of the disciples, or a prophet. He was a doctor who was used by God to write inspired scripture. Many think he is the only Gentile writer of the Bible. As you read this book, my prayer is that you will come to love Luke as I have.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664269132

Dick Dahlstrom

Dick built a successful Graphic Arts business in Chicago; sold it in 1998. Retired and living in Rockford, Illinois.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-6912-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6914-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-6913-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022911154

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/26/2022

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I have written this look at Luke as a layman. I am not a biblical scholar, theologian or pastor. As I have studied the book of Luke, I wrote what I saw, thought, and I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me. This is not meant to be a commentary or academic thesis. I am not capable of that. Instead, it is what I have come to see and love about Luke. He was a layman and historian, not one of the disciples, or a prophet. He was a doctor who was used by God to write inspired scripture. Many think he is the only Gentile writer of the Bible. As you read this book, my prayer is that you will come to love Luke as I have.

Dick Dahlstrom

Luke is known as the beloved physician and the author of the book of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. He became a close friend of the apostle Paul and his traveling companion on his missionary journeys. He is recognized as an accurate historian, recording dates, times, and what was happening in his world.

The book of Luke is a biography of Jesus Christ. When you read the book, you are brought into history. As a doctor, Luke was a researcher who was concerned that what he wrote was an accurate account from firsthand information. Although he was not a disciple, he was a close friend of the disciples and a true follower of Jesus. About half the material he records in his book is not found in the other gospels.

Luke begins his historical account with, Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. (Lk 1:1-2) The events he was writing about were the recent events told by the disciples and other witnesses that were well known. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was being discussed everywhere. Luke sets out to write a careful account to give to Theophilus.

We do not know who Theophilus was. The book of Acts, also written by Luke, is written to him as well. He was most likely a benefactor who financially supported Luke in his ministry. Benefactors were known in that day to provide financial help for some-one else pursuing a task of mutual interest. He must have asked Luke to write an accurate account of the life of Jesus and of the apostle Paul’s missionary journeys, and the founding of the early church.

Luke’s writings to Theophilus were written as a careful account; so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Lk.1:4) He was most likely a wealthy and influential man who had come to trust in Christ and wanted to know more about his Lord.

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N ow the story begins, the story of Jesus. Luke makes sure that we know the time and the place and puts it all in the context of history that can be checked out.

The first birth that Luke records in is the birth of John the Baptist. His birth and the birth of Jesus are intertwined. This all happened when Herod was king of Judah. At that time, there was a Jewish priest named Zachariah who was of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was Elizabeth who was also from the priestly line of Aaron.

As we go through the book of Luke, we see again and again how accurate and specific he is as a historian. He identifies Herod as the king of Judah and names each of the people in the story and tells of their heritage to be checked out. This man and his wife were righteous in God’s eyes and obeying all the laws and commands. They were childless because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. (Lk 1:7) In that day, to not have children was almost seen as a curse. I’m sure Elizabeth prayed and wept over this. As a godly, righteous women married to a priest, why no children? Like the prayer of Hannah who wept before the Lord because she was barren, so it was with Elizabeth. Now, her life was to change, and her prayers answered.

The day came when Zechariah was serving in the temple, and he was chosen by lot to enter the inter sanctuary and burn the incense. This was a very special privilege granted to very few priests. Most would serve their entire lives and not be chosen to enter the holy place and burn the incense. When the priest was burning the incense before God, a large crowd gathered outside and prayed waiting for the priest to come out.

This was the day God had chosen Zachariah. The lot had fallen on him and God wanted to talk to him about what he was about to do. While Zachariah was performing his priestly duties, an angel of the Lord appeared with a message that would change his life. When he saw the angel, he was over-whelmed with fear. The angel said, Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. (Lk.1:13) The angel goes on to tell him that his son will bring him great joy and will be a special man, used by God, to turn many Israelites to the Lord. He will be a man with the spirit of Elijah and will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

What a message! What a shock! What was Zachariah’s reaction? What does he say to the angel sent by God? How can I be sure this will happen? I am an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years. (Lk. 1:18)

After more than 400 years of silence, God was again speaking to men. The Old Testament closes with, Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. (Mal.4:5-6 NLB)

God was again speaking to men and Zachariah was to be the father of the last Old Testament prophet. The baby Elizabeth was to bear was to become John the Baptist who would introduce the Kingdom of God on earth, the Lamb of God. I can certainly understand Zachariah’s inability to grasp what Gabriel had told him. But what was impossible to him, was possible with God, just like the birth of Isaac to old Abraham and Sarah.

The people were waiting for Zachariah to come out and wondering what was taking him so long. He should have been done by now. Finally, he comes out to the people, and he is unable to speak. By his gestures, they realize that he had seen a vision and it had left him unable to speak. He still had a week of service left before he could return home.

Imagine what it was like when he got home? Elizabeth had all kinds of questions for him, and he could not answer. All he could do was go through motions and write answers to her questions. How do you even communicate to her what had happened, and that the angel Gabriel appeared to you? This was something you could not put into writing.

When God sends an angel to tell you what He is going to do, don’t question him; believe him. This was no ordinary angel. This was Gabriel who stood in the very presence of God! He spoke the words from God, and because Zechariah did not really believe what he said was possible, Gabriel told him, And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time. (Lk 1:20)

What they could see is that God was doing something special. God said that Elizabeth would have a baby and she became pregnant. I’m sure that when she made it known to Zachariah, he was filled with joy but not able to speak and express it. Just as the Lord had promised, it happened.

Elizabeth could not contain her own joy. The Lord has done this for me she said, In these days he has shown favor and taken away my disgrace among the people. (Lk 1:25) As Zachariah silently rejoiced with her, he said to himself, "Why did I not believe? God even sent his angel Gabriel to tell me what was to happen, and I could not believe it. Now, his word has proven to be true, and I am unable to praise with my lips. My soul rejoices in the Lord!

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I n the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel shows up again. This time in the town of Nazareth, to a young girl named Mary. She was a virgin, engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. One day, Gabriel appears to her and says, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. (Lk 1:28) Like the shock Zachariah experienced, Mary was shocked, confused, afraid, and disturbed. No one expects the angel of the Lord to suddenly appear. Especially with the message he had for her.

Every time an angel appears with a message from God, the first thing they say is Don’t be afraid Why? Because they are indescribable, awesome figures that cause a human to fear. When this same angel, Gabriel, appeared to Daniel, he was terrified and fell on his face. When Jesus spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus, he fell down, blinded by the light of His presence. When he came to John to reveal what was to come, John fell at his feet as if he was dead. Angels sent from God are never the little Cupid figures men have created or the bright lights appearing in near death experiences.

When Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son, he could not believe it and was unable to speak for nine months. When Gabriel told Mary she would have a son who would reign over Israel forever, she questioned how this would happen because she was a virgin. For her, it was not unbelief but, how could this happen? When Gabriel explained, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called The Son of God.(Lk 1:35) Mary had no idea how this was to happen, but she trusted and believed in the power and promise of God to do the impossible.

Think about her response. She was just a teenage girl, and she responded, I am the Lords servant. May it be to me as you have said. (Lk.1:38) Then Gabriel left her to consider all that had happened.

Her response to the message of God and humble acceptance of what she was told is an example to follow. She said that whatever God has for me, I accept and may whatever you have said happen; I am you servant.

We know nothing about Mary. Who were her parents? Most likely she was still living with them. Even at her young age, she knew the holy scriptures and believed in God. She knew that she was a sinner like everyone else, but she was a righteous woman, selected by God to bear the Son of God.

Because the Catholic church has venerated Mary to such a high and sinless position, we tend to not recognize her as we should. She was a special woman, blessed by God, and given the unique privilege and awesome responsibility to be the mother of Jesus Christ. As wonderful as she is, she was still a human being who needed a savior. We should never be praying to Mary, and she cannot hear prayers or forgive sins. She is now with her Lord in heaven and her son, Jesus, hears our prayers. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. (1 Tim.2:5-6 NLB)

Let us always remember, Mary was a very special woman, chosen and willing to be used by God for his special purpose. She did not, and could not, die on the cross to forgive our sins. She has no ability to hear or answer our prayers. Only the son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the one who can do that.

Gabriel now tells Mary to go and see her cousin Elizabeth. She was told that Elizabeth was now pregnant in her old age. Excited to see her cousin, she enters the house and is greeted by Elizabeth with, At the sound of your voice the child leaped within me, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:41) What a meeting! The baby John the Baptist, in the womb of Elizabeth, greeting the baby Jesus in the womb of Mary!

Elizabeth gives a glad cry of praise and exclaims, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (Lk 1:42-45) Mary was blessed among women because she believed that the Lord would do what he said.

This great song of Mary, known as the Magnificat, sounds a lot like the Hanna’s song of praise recorded in 1 Samuel two. What it shows is that Mary, just a teenage girl, knew the word of God and had been taught the scriptures.

The first words of Mary were words of praise to God. My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … (Lk:1:46-47) As wonderful a person as Mary was, she needed a Savior. I cannot imagine that she fully understood that in her body was the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Mary, did you know? She knew that God had set her apart and took notice of, His lowly servant girl(Lk 1:48).Because of what God had done, from that time to this, all generations will call her blessed. Why? For the mighty one has done great things for me-holy is his name (Lk 1:49)

Mary was used by God like no other woman in history. We should recognize this and call her Blessed. She is never to be worshipped because it was God who chose to use her. It was her God alone who was Holy and did great things through her. To worship or pray to her is idolatry!

Mary knew what God had done and His promise of the coming Messiah. The promises made to Abraham and his children. Now, she was to be the center of it all.

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M ary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went home. This time she had spent with the older Elizabeth was just what she needed. They could talk together as women do without the silent Zachariah interfering. This was a time for them to really bond and share what God was doing in them. Mary returns to her home about the time Elizabeth was due to deliver. We are told nothing about Mary’s home. As a young girl she must have been living with her parents. I wonder what they were thinking about their young, unwed daughter being pregnant? I’m sure this was a difficult time for young Mary. Things were fine with being with Elizabeth, now it’s back to the real world and a life of shame.

Now it was the time for the birth of John. When he was born, all her neighbors, relatives and friends came to rejoice with her. When the child was eight days old there was the ceremony of circumcision and naming the baby. Everyone thought he would be named Zechariah after his father. Elizabeth said, No! He is to be called John. (Lk 1:60) Thinking she was wrong about that; they went to Zachariah to ask him. He asked for a tablet to write on and to everyone’s surprise, He wrote, His name is John! (Lk 1:63) As soon as he had written this, his mouth was opened, and he could speak again.

When the people saw what had happened, awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news spread of what had happened to the surrounding hills. The people asked, What will this child turn out to be? For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. (Lk 1:66 NLB) Indeed, God’s hand was to be on John the Baptist. Jesus would say of him that John the Baptist was the greatest man born of a woman.

God was at work in a new and wonderful way! John, born to Zachariah and Elizabeth was to be the forerunner to introduce Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Zachariah knew that God had given him a very special son. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied.

Praise be to the Lord the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. (Lk 1:68-69)

Zachariah prophesied of the coming redeemer who would bring salvation. He would be from the royal line of David, just as the scriptures promised. This coming Messiah would be the redeemer and savior of the world and He will be introduced by his son, John the Baptist. And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most-High because you will prepare the way of the Lord. (Lk 1: 76)

Before his son was born, Zachariah knew what his son was destined to become. As a priest of God, he knew the scriptures in Malachi 3:1 that said, Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. The angel Gabriel told him that his son would be a man filled with the Spirit and the power of Elijah and prepare the way of the Lord and repentance. I believe, that in his nine months of silence, God spoke to him and revealed what his son would become. Zachariah and Elizabeth were to go on and obey what God had commanded and raised their son as they were instructed. John grew up and became strong in the spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel (Lk 1:80) He became the last Old Testament prophet, preparing the way of the Lord.

God always has a man for His time to make his way known. In the last days, before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom on earth, two witnesses will be sent to warn of the coming judgement.

I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophecy during those 1260 days. (Rev.11:3 NLB)

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N ow we come to the greatest story ever told, the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the story of the God of the universe becoming a man, born as a baby. It was all about how mortal man can come to know the unknown God. It is the story of God being born the normal way. He came into the world to be raised by a poor, young woman and her carpenter husband. Jesus was not born in the palace as a king but in a stable with animals.

The historian Luke gives us the time and place; At the time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinus was the governor of Syria) (Lk 2:1-2)

Luke leaves no question or doubt as to the time and place. My Christian faith is based on historical fact. The Bible tells us what happened in the past and what will happen in the future. When God tells me what happened in history, I can trust whatever he says will happen in the future.

It was God who directed the Roman emperor to call for a censes at just the right time to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem from Nazareth. Jesus must be born in Bethlehem because that is what the Bible prophesied. Joseph, being a descendant of King David, had to go to Bethlehem in Judea for the census. This meant taking Mary, his very pregnant wife, put her on a donkey, and travel from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, which was not an easy journey under the best of circumstances.

Matthew tells us that the angel of the Lord had appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him; Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she shall have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins (Mt 1-20-21)

We often forget about Joseph. He was a good man and chosen by God to be the earthly father for the Son of God. You can be sure that he and Mary talked much about all this and what was going on. To have angels come to you with such a message and to be given such an awesome responsibility; how do you handle it? All that did not make the trip any less difficult and Joseph was worried about Mary and the precious gift of life she carried within her.

Finally, Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem only to find there was no place for them to stay. All that was available was a cave with a manger for feeding the animals. It was here she was to give birth to the baby Jesus.

Today, we sanitize this scene on Christmas cards and paintings making it out to be what it was not. It was young Mary giving birth for the first time, going through the labor pains of childbirth. It was Joseph holding her hand and wondering what to do and then cleaning up and being the first person to hold Jesus in his arms. God in flesh was held in the strong arms of a carpenter. He wrapped the baby in cloths and gave him to Mary to hold and nurse.

I have a hard time getting my mind to grasp this. Joseph standing by Mary as the Son of God was born as a baby. All they could think about was caring for this precious, helpless baby. He looked like any other baby, he cried, he needed his diapers changed and relied on Mary for his food. He had no halo over his head and no great light flooded the stable. Mary was exhausted and Joseph was just trying to figure it all out. They had no idea about what they were in for!

While they were taking care of the new baby Jesus, shepherds were watching over their flocks. Just another boring night of tending sheep. Probably most were sleeping when, suddenly everything changed! The angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified! The angel said what angels always say, Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Lk 2:10-11) These lowly shepherds were the first to hear the good news that the Savior of the world was born. He was just born in Bethlehem, and you will find him wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. Suddenly, the angel was joined by a host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying; Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Lk.2:13-14 NLB)

They did not go back to tending their sheep and say, Now that was really something! No, the first thing they said was, Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened that the Lord has told us about. (Lk 2:15) They hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus just as they had been told by the angel. They were the first people chosen by God to see His son. When they left the stable, they could not help but tell everyone what happened. "We were all just lying around watching our sheep when the sky lights up and angels show up to tell us that a special baby was just born in Bethlehem. Just as they said, we found him lying in a manger. He was declared by angels as the Savior of the world sent from God! All who heard what the shepherds said were astonished.

Most likely, these shepherds returned to take care of their sheep. I am sure that they were never the same. They had experienced being visited by angels and had seen the baby Jesus. They had seen the face of God!

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Lk 2:19) We use the word ponder as to deeply reflect on something and think it over. Mary, did you know? She knew he was the promised Messiah, but she could not possibly know what all that meant. This baby at her breast was the Son of God.

On the eighth day, it was time for Jesus to be circumcised. He was named Jesus, just as the angel had said before he was conceived. He was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to present him the Lord just as the law of Moses had commanded. Joseph and Mary brought a sacrifice of pigeons, the sacrifice given by the poor.

Jesus Christ, God’s gift to the world, was born in a stable to poor parents. He who created the universe and owned everything came into the world with nothing. Later on in his ministry, he would say; Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has no place to lay his head. (Mt.8:20) In his famous sermon on the mount, the first beatitude was, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:3)

In the Temple, there was a man named Simeon. It says of him that he was a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the coming Messiah.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2:26)

He was moved by the Spirit of God to come to the temple as Mary and Joseph were bringing Jesus for dedication. When Simeon saw them, he took Jesus in his arms and said; Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel (Lk 2:29-32 NLB)

Joseph and Mary were amazed at what Simeon had said. As he gave the baby back to Mary, he said; This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and a sword will pierce your own soul also. (Lk 2:34-35)

No sooner had Simeon finished his prophecy and a very old lady approaches them. She is Anna and has been a widow for 74 years. She had made her home in the temple. She came up to them and