Preaching Through Luke

Luke wrote this Gospel so "that you [Theophilus] may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught [i.e., catechesis]" (1:4). It proceeds with a barrage of questions. The first comes from Zechariah: "How shall I know?" (1:18). This is a question of knowledge. The angel Gabriel answers that we shall know by the word of God (1:19). The second comes from Mary: "How will this be?" (1:34). This is a question of agency, of how the Son of God can become human. Gabriel answers that it will be by the power of God (1:35). The third comes from Elizabeth: "Why me?" (1:43). Why should the gospel of Jesus Christ come to her? Mary answers that it has to do with God's choice, election, mercy, and salvation (1:47-55). The fourth has to do with John: "What then will this child be?" (1:66). Zechariah answers that he will be a prophet (1:76-79). John is not the Christ, but he will go before the Christ. Thus begins the catechism according to Luke, a series of questions in order that we may have certainty concerning the things we have been taught.

James C. Goodloe IV (PhD, University of Chicago) is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having served churches in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. He is now the executive director of the Foundation for Reformed Theology (www.foundationrt.org), working to reform and build up the church, especially by helping ministers to be better preachers, better teachers, and better pastors.