The image of Christ through the Eyes of Luke

          Many people claim Jesus as Lord and Savior, many millions in fact; but, very few truly know Christ for who he was, who he is, and who he always has been. Luke was one of those very few who truly got to know Christ and was able to glean from him some very important characteristics that he in turn used to live out his own life and to teach others how to live theirs. A wonderful testament here, for those of us that desire to know Christ personally and intimately, is that Luke did what we would have to do today in order to know Jesus: read, study, and learn about him from others. Luke was not a disciple in direct contact with Jesus he learned mostly from his friend and mentor Paul and through works from Mark and others. By this he was able to write his gospel.

            In writing his gospel Luke expresses a great deal of information that helps a disciple of Christ grow in his walk. In the book of Luke disciples learn of God’s perfect plan of redemption, the formation of a New Israel, and Jesus’ compassion especially towards the poor and women. The imagery of Christ then in Luke that stands out the most is Jesus’ compassion towards the poor and needy and of women (more so than in the Synoptics). Some find that because Luke focuses on Christ as the Son of Man and traces his genealogy back to Adam the image expressed is that of Jesus’ humanity. However, Mark seems to do a better job at describing Jesus as the Son of Man.

The image of Jesus in Luke is that of a God that has deep compassion over his creation, on those that are outside the cultural norms, those that are marginalized and deemed unworthy paying special attention to women. Luke details the important role women held in the ministry of Christ. Thusly, women have a special place in ministry today. I find it difficult to understand why it that some denominations within Christianity still find it plausible that women should not hold a real leadership position based on the doctrine of eldership. Luke clearly finds it necessary to express just how much Christ ascribed women in what he was doing. Not once did Jesus command that women not be allowed to be a major part of his work. Were there traditions he held fast to? Yes. But Jesus did set a precedent and believers today should be careful to take his lead.