Luke: A Man for All Nations
On page 525 of Taylor Caldwell’s historical novel about Luke, the author has Luke meeting with the brothers Zebedee James and John. At one point John says, “‘It is commanded of us that we must bring the tidings to all the nations of the world.’”
Luke replies, “‘I am one of the “nations of the world.”‘”
Luke is the only Gospel writer who is a Gentile (one who is not Jewish). References to “the nations” can be found in his Gospel. In 2:10 the angels announce to the shepherds, “‘I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Simeon says the following to Mary and Joseph in 2:30-32, “‘For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’”
Luke records the healing of ten men from leprosy in 17:11-19. When only one of the ten–a Samaritan (a group of people despised by most Jews)–returns to thank Jesus, Jesus says, “‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’”
Near the end of Luke’s Gospel (24:45b-48b), the bodily risen Jesus Christ tells His disciples, “‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’”
This provides an excellent transition to the Book of Acts, wherein Jesus says in 1:8, “‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”
In Acts 2, Luke records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the speaking of various (Gentile) tongues, and people from all over the known world repent, are baptized and become believers.
In Acts 10 God speaks to Peter in a vision, which leads to his preaching the Gospel to a Gentile Roman military man named Cornelius. In verses 34 and 35 we read, “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.’”
In the previous chapter Luke relates the conversion of the Jewish teacher and leader and persecutor of Christians: Saul who will become known as Paul. For most of the rest of the Book of Acts Luke records Paul’s living out his life verse as he boldly plants churches where none have been planted before–among the Gentiles. Paul’s life verse is Isaiah 49:6, which says: And now the LORD says to His Servant: “‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
May we all–empowered by the Holy Spirit–prayerfully seek to have Luke’s keen vision and seek to pray and live for the fulfillment of Luke’s global Christian mission emphasis!
Phil Corr’s work on the web can be seen at: haystack06.org and fccofcc.com
