Daily Devotional Saturday 19th December 2020

by William Moody

Luke 1:1–4

Dedication to Theophilus

1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

(ESV)

Luke in his introduction to the Gospel highlights that the Gospel is not about what we do but rather it is about what has already been accomplished (v1) by Christ. The Good News is what Jesus has done and achieved.

Luke’s account is reliable because it is based on eyewitness accounts (v2). The Gospel is not something made up but rather it is based on historical events, on what Jesus has done.

Luke was a doctor and he uses the methodical ways of his profession to insure he has delivered an orderly account (v3). Luke says his desire is for Theophilus to have certainty about what is taught in the Gospel (v4).

Some see accepting Christianity as a matter of blind faith and in the same category of ‘make believe’ as fairy tales. But here we see that Christianity is about faith based on the clear evidence of eyewitnesses who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

In seeking to see people being persuaded by the truth of the Gospel, there is little better we can do than to encourage people to read God’s word and the Gospel accounts. Likewise when we face doubts about our faith, it is the Holy Spirit breathing over our reading of God’s Word that brings certainty.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.