In praise of Luke (and his gospel)

During our Sunday services so far in 2025 we have relied on Luke for our Gospel readings for each service. We are blessed to have the wealth of material we can read for ourselves and learn and reflect on what they tell us about Jesus and his saving mission.

But if, by some sad accident, we only had one of the four Gospels, which would be the one you would choose? 

I would argue very strongly for the Gospel that bears the name of the “beloved physician”, who dedicated his book to Theophilus and went on to compose the Acts of the Apostles. It seems to me, having followed through with Luke again this year, that not only does he give us a full and rounded account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, he includes much which is unique to his Gospel and a gold mine of teaching and truth.

Luke’s Christmas Story

So we will rely almost completely on Luke for our Christmas story again this year. Luke sets the tone of humility and gentleness which will characterise the Gospel and the whole ministry of Jesus. Neither John nor Mark give us any clue as to the early life of Jesus, and Matthew's early life of Jesus is, by contrast, quite threatening and violent. In the same way, Luke includes background information about John the Baptist, which all helps to explain the context.

Without Luke’s Gospel, our Christmas themes would be very different and only the wise men would survive, with the innocent being slaughtered.

This same sense of gentle, caring, forgiving ministry comes through in the teaching and actions of Jesus. 

The parables that Luke recounts

Consider some of the classic parables Jesus told his followers, but which only Luke records:

• The Good Samaritan
• The prodigal son
• The rich man and Lazarus
• The widow and the judge
• The Pharisee and the tax collector
• and more…

It is generally accepted that the writers Matthew and Luke had access to Mark's Gospel and included material from that document. It's also clear that Luke shares some material with Matthew. But Luke also had his own unique library to select from, and for these, we are very grateful. 

However, it is when we come to the resurrection that Luke really shines. 

Recalling the resurrection

Who cannot be moved by his account of the meeting of the risen Christ with Mary in the garden? Only Luke has that wonderful retelling of the journey of the two disciples to Emmaus on the first Easter day — surely a passage of supreme significance for all who follow Christ. 

It is when we focus, however briefly, on the unique contribution that Luke has made to our knowledge and understanding of the life of Christ that we fully can recognise the inspiration lies behind it. Then can our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord.

As we celebrate once more the birth of Christ this year, let us rejoice in the good news found so wonderfully in the Gospel according to Luke.