Reading the Gospels Together How do you begin a gospel? – Part 4 Having provided his readers with this important preface, Luke now proceeds with the beginning of his gospel. As we learn in the reading of Luke’s gospel and also Luke’s second volume, the Book of Acts, the primary concern of Luke is to describe the coming of Jesus as “the visitation of God to his people” and their response to that visitation. So Luke begins his gospel firmly set in the environment of the OT. Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus is really a story of the visitation of God who comes in a most unusual way. Jesus is born in a manger because there is no place for him in the inn. When God comes there is no place for God. But as Luke thinks about how to tell this story of the birth of Jesus, he is also aware of another character who will play a major role in the visitation of God. That person is John the Baptist. So, prior to telling the story of the humble visitation of Jesus, Luke tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist. Once again this is a story that it firmly set in the context of the OT. In fact, as Luke contemplated how to tell the story of these births it seems evident that his mind went back to the OT story of the birth of Samuel. It is as if Luke has taken three birth stories and placed them side by side by side. A part of Luke’s thinking also is apparently connected with the fact that in the OT so many mothers of important children were first childless and then granted the gift of birth by God in a miraculous way. So Luke has written the story of the birth of Jesus, and for that matter of John the Baptist too, as if it were an OT story. Following the births Luke provides his readers with a couple of other important pieces of information. He tells of the circumcision and naming of Jesus and the sacrifice that was necessary to fulfil the OT law. In that process Luke introduces two faithful Jewish witnesses who welcome the birth of Jesus. And when Jesus is twelve years old Luke brings him once more to the Temple in Jerusalem – likely for the Jewish rite of passage into adulthood. Why did Luke tell the story in this way? Likely Luke has told the story as he has to do at least a couple of things. First of all this is the visitation of God to his people and what is at stake is how people respond to that visitation. Secondly Luke is intent on telling his readers that there were faithful Jews who received Jesus at his coming. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna are all faithful Jewish witnesses that the Messiah was indeed welcomed at this coming even if there is also evidence that “there was no room for God” in God’s visitation. Luke has set up this contrasting turn of events with a purpose. In telling the story of these faithful people who received the Messiah, Luke is also telling his readers that Jesus is a faithful Jew too. His parents are careful to observe the Jewish Law. In fact, Luke will tell his story in such a way that Jesus and his followers will also be known for their faithfulness within the Jewish tradition. That is because Luke is intent on arguing that Jesus, and the people of God who follow him, represents the “true Judaism.” Some of the greatest evidence for this is found in the book of Acts. For example, when Paul arrives in Jerusalem just prior to his arrest, Luke tells his readers through the words of the Jerusalem leaders of the church, “You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the Law.” Christianity is not a new religion for Luke but the true expression of what has always been. Was Luke successful in telling the story as he has? Most certainly he was. Luke’s story sets that stage in a way that helps his readers move into the story.