MATL - Gospel of Luke - Reflection

Prompt: Based on the materials from this week, discuss the most important theological element of the Gospel of Luke, in a 2-3 pages.

When critically evaluating the world of and behind the Gospels, it is easy to spend significant time evaluating the differences between them.  Even within the synoptic texts, which are all based around the same core set of materials and sources, the differing content of the Gospels can lead to conflicting and contradictory interpretations when they are read without care to consider the larger picture. This is sometimes a useful and helpful technique, particularly when considering what the motivations of an author were, but it can also cause a reader to miss a larger message in the theological themes that tie scriptures together.  The topic of discipleship is one example, particularly when comparing the disciples of Luke to Mark or Matthew.

Discipleship is a major theological theme in all of the Gospels, which of course is inherently logical. A major purpose of the New Testament is to convert and guide Christians, so the tasks of those who follow Christ should exist in some form. This is, of course, paralleled to the Hebrew Bible, where the guidelines for the devout and followers of Yaweh are outlined and emphasized, repeatedly. Luke’s attention to discipleship focuses on a universal calling, and on a physical state of sacrifice and existence, rather than a more spiritual one, which he then contrasts with an emphasis on the importance of a relationship with God, rather than merely doing works of service and sacrifice (Kugler/Hartin, 402.)

 In Luke, the concept of discipleship focuses on the universal nature of the calling, which is consistent with the invitation of Mark’s ambiguous ending, and with Matthew’s idea that all disciples are ‘brothers and sisters’ in Christ (Kugler/Hartin, 391.)  However, Luke is the first to really emphasize the nature of Jesus’ fellowship as appropriate for both men and women, not just appropriate for both Gentile and Jew.  Mary, mother of Jesus, is really the first disciple of Christ, because she listens to God and accepts his plan without understanding. She is the first to follow in the path of Jesus, and she is the only woman in the Bible invited to choose whether or not she listens to God’s calling. All other women, even when receiving God’s blessing, are depicted as either receiving the blessing as a result of their husband (particularly related to bearing children) or in answer to their own prayers. Martha and Mary, sisters to Lazarus, are also depicted as actively participating in the ministry and mission of Christ, and they, along with Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Mary mother of James, are intimate and important members of Jesus’ crowd of disciples. Mark infers their importance by making them the faithful watchers when the Apostles have fled, but Luke is the first to give them names and narratives.  Luke also balances the parables to show equality and applicability of Jesus’ lessons, offering parables of both men and women for the reader to evaluate. (Kulger/Hartin, 401.) This is important because it breaks social conventions both within the world of the text, and the world behind the text.  Throughout the Gospels, the writers make a point of depicting the salvation of Jesus as fulfilling the promises made to Israel and of the transitions in authority. Luke reminds the reader that this transition affects the role and status of women, as well.

Discipleship is an important and relevant topic to any contemporary reader interested in living a Christian life.  Certainly, while the original intent of the disciple messages has changed, the long-term intent was to provide a lasting guide and source of authority for the duration of the Christian experience. While the authors of the Gospel in canon today may not have imagined that their work to survive in the current configuration, they clearly intended it for extended use and application.  Understanding the overarching development of discipleship painted by reading all of the Gospels is just as critical for a contemporary Christian as understanding the nuance and specific messaging within each individual Gospel.

When evaluating the Gospel of Luke for application in a contemporary setting, the reader sees an ongoing commitment to the idea established in Mark and elaborated on in Matthew, which is: discipleship requires following Christ before everything else. It is not enough to merely contemplate or passively endorse Christian behaviors- one must actively participate in life as called by Jesus. Luke reminds the reader that such participation must include building a relationship with God. It is not just about doing good work, it is about being open to God, and trusting God’s purpose even when we can’t really understand what that entails. Mark calls disciples to serve and sacrifice, and Matthew instructs disciples to learn and implement the lessons of Jesus as part of the mission. Luke demonstrates the importance of trusting God’s purpose, and of forming a deep and personal relationship and trust in God. His use of women, both to break barriers within the laws and traditions of traditional roles, and as examples of how to entrust God, is as unconventional now as it was when written.  In a world where women still struggle for equal pay, healthcare access, employment opportunities, or rights within marriage and societal access, Luke is a reminder that even those viewed as unequal or less are equally important to God. Those who are least valued can be the best example of how to move forward in the path of Christ.

Works Cited:

Kugler, Robert A., and P. J. Hartin. An Introduction to the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2009.