“Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you…so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” -Luke 1:3-4 (NLT)
As we’ve studied the Gospels in the New Living Translation this year at Oakwood, Luke’s introduction to his gospel has stuck out with me. Unlike the other gospels, Luke begins with a personal note. The Immerse Bible’s introduction says this: “Luke was in a unique position… He had worked closely with Paul, who brought the message of Jesus... Luke was able to tell important parts of the story from firsthand experience. And since he was educated and literate, he could also research and record the movement’s history.” (p.1)
We know that God specifically gifted Luke to write this true version of Jesus’ life and ministry. We also know that all Scripture is God-breathed so while there are human authors attributed to certain books, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak God’s words.
Which is what makes Luke’s proclamation so fascinating. While God gave Luke the words, it didn’t just magically come to Luke. Luke had to “carefully investigate.” He had to recall his own memories, he had to seek out other recounts. He had to research; he had to do the work.
This idea shouldn’t surprise us. Part of being in a relationship with God means undergoing the sanctifying, transformative work that He’s doing in us. God isn’t in the fairy godmother wave-the-magic-wand sort of work. God is about relationship, He’s in the business of taking the broken and devastating, and altering what was meant for evil into good. God enters the chaos. He comforts amid lamenting. God is about the process. He values disciples over perfection.
We may crave a magic pill that solves everything without any effort. We may want to chase the quick fix. We may want the easiest path that doesn’t require us to display our weakness, or be vulnerable with our insecurities, or be honest with our pride. But when we answer the call to really work towards our relationship with Jesus, we get to enter a beautiful tapestry of unqualified and broken people who get to be a part of the mighty work God is doing. God takes our gifting and our effort and our surrender and works things together in a way that is beyond what we could ask or imagine.
Just as Luke, may we carefully investigate the glorious wonders of what Jesus has done. May we research how God can use us for His kingdom building. May we embrace the process of discipleship and work for His glory.
