Certainty (Luke 1:1-4)

Luke 1:1-4

^1:1Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. ^[1]

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What is striking in Luke’s opening words is what he says about his intent in writing.  He has carefully researched and investigated the life of Christ so that he would be able to relate an orderly account for Theophilus.  Why?  So Theophilus would “know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Where does certainty come from?  Luke sought to work certainty through the accuracy of the account of Jesus’ life.  He wanted it to be a reliable history that people could trust is truthful.  This is important because redemption for the people of God is built upon what God has done in time and space.  Our salvation resets on the facts about what God has done, most especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  If these events did not happen, then we have no salvation, and not only no basis for faith, but no reason for faith.

That being said, factual accounts can only take us so far.  Faith is not the same thing as certainty.  Faith is a gift of God, worked by the Holy Spirit, through the Word.  Faith builds on the events recorded in Scripture, and draws us to trust in the God whose work is described in Scripture, leading us to follow Him loyally.

There is a bit of irony here regarding Luke’s introduction.  Luke most likely wasn’t aware that He was writing Scripture.  He most likely wasn’t aware that he was being led through this entire process by the Holy Spirit.  But because he was, and because Luke’s orderly account is not only a human history, but the Word of God, it has a power way beyond mere description of facts.  Luke’s gospel can achieve its purpose of certainty, but more than that, as the Word of God, it can also work faith.

May God bless our reading of the Scripture by His Holy Spirit, working true faith within us.

 

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^[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Lk 1:1–4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.