Luke: A Unique Perspective
Scene Nine
It’s said the four gospels tell the same story yet with different perspectives, however, it’s never been clearer since I’ve been comparing them. Being the only non-Jew Luke’s view is most similar to ours, curious about Judaism, and needing clarification on the Jesus drama.
Chapters 11-13 consist of several accounts unique to Luke so let’s dive in. After Jesus’ disciples requested a teaching on prayer He responded by telling a story desiring them to understand the relationship of His Father to their needs. The Man in the Middle (11:5-8) will help Luke, and also us, to keep praying for people, never giving up. The contrast of three friends reveals the value of persistence. Jesus yearned for His followers, including us, to understand coming to our Father with shameless, continual, and relentless prayer. There’s no inconvenient time for God, He’s already listening and ready to answer our prayers … in His time.
Our Savior told another story called the Rich Fool (12:13-21, 34) where His point was the upper story of eternity far outweighing the lower story of this earthly life. Luke was undoubtedly raised to believe that worldly wealth, success, and position were all that mattered. Jesus desired understanding of how that’s short-sighted; eternity is all that matters. I’m sure Luke had to realign his foolish thinking, like the rich man, to live for God by loving Him first and others second: very Jewish. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.”
His disciples heard several news reports about vague situations where disasters caused people to die (13:1-5). Was it because of their sin? It’s a familiar question for us today. Only Luke reports this incidence given from his interviewee and must’ve been on the edge of his seat attentively listening to Jesus’ response. Simply put, personal disaster of any kind, then or now, doesn’t equal personal sin. He used this opportunity to repeat the value of repentance leading to eternal life.
The parable of the Barren Fig Tree and the woman healed in a synagogue on the Sabbath are both unique to Luke. Jesus taught again on Intercessory Prayer (like the Man in the Middle) this time using a fruit tree as His analogy; expect fruit after three years, if it doesn’t grow then remove it. The arborist begged for more time, he was the ‘man in the middle’ or intercessor, believing he could bring change.
Later, our Lord went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and mercifully freed a woman from a demonic spirit causing her body to show signs of advanced scoliosis, spina bifada, or cerebral palsy, being unable to stand up straight. What an impressive story this must’ve been to Dr. Luke! Sickness and disease can be caused by demons! Again, Jesus cared more about people than rules.
Finally, some caring Pharisees warned Jesus about King Herod (vs. 31-33), but He wouldn’t be deterred from The Plan to unequivocally love people enough to die for them. His story would move forward.