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.
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This introduction to the Gospel of Luke makes a very important point not just about this gospel, but about the Christian faith as a whole: Our faith is based on factual events. They really happened in history.
Unlike other religions or philosophies, Christianity is not at its core a system of good advice on how to live. Christianity is good news about what God has done. And these acts of God, centering in Jesus Christ, have changed reality. They have brought about salvation and redemption for all creation. Through faith in this good news, this salvation becomes our own.
But that salvation depends on the reality of the events. Our faith rests on the truth that Jesus was born, that He lived, that He died, and that He physically rose from the grave. If these events did not happen, then we have no faith.
So it is very important that Luke is emphasizing the reliability of his writing. Notice that he refers to multiple eyewitness. He talks about his own careful investigation and his intent to record it in an orderly manner. And what is the intended outcome? That Theophilus (and all other readers) “may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Christianity is not blind faith, but rather faith based on truth – truth for which there is evidence.
So as we begin our Advent journey to Bethlehem, it’s important to keep in mind that these events are real. Our journey is based on truth. May our journey through the Word this Advent strengthen our faith as we meditate on what our God has done for our salvation.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the reliability of your Word, that I may know the certainty of the things that I have been taught. Bless my time in Your Word this Advent.
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