So That You May Know...

Read Luke 1:1-4

Many of us grew up in households where the culture of Christianity was the norm. We identified as Christians largely because that is what our parents did. Stop for a moment and ask yourself this question, “Why am I a Christian?” Is it because it is all you have ever known? Is it because you were pulled into a culture where identifying as a Christian was simply expected? While that type of introduction to Christianity doesn't necessarily make someone any less Christian, it is an unstable foundation. The much firmer bedrock for our faith is this: the claims of Christianity are emphatically and compellingly…true.

In addition to being a physician, the author of the gospel of Luke was a meticulous historian. In the pages of his historical account of the life of Jesus, we observe great attention to detail from the good doctor. From the earliest stroke of his pen, he is straightforward about his agenda for writing:

“so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.”

The bible is not a collection of ancient myths. We can have much confidence that the pages of this sacred text are home to absolute truth. In his introductory sentence, Luke notes that many have written about the life of the messiah, and that his own account was delivered to him firsthand by eyewitnesses who observed the details of the life of Jesus. Through careful investigation, Luke accomplishes his objective of providing an “orderly sequence” of the life and ministry of the messiah.

As we continue to journey through the advent season, building in anticipation of the grand celebration of Christ’s arrival, know this: God’s Word is trustworthy and true. These are not fables, fairytales, or clever moral anecdotes. 2,000 years ago the events unfolded as they are recorded in the words we will read over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. As an accomplished and trustworthy reporter does his due diligence to research and record the objective facts surrounding an event, so too, Luke goes to painstaking lengths to give us the masterful gospel account that bears his name.

This advent season, do not merely read the advent story in the name of family tradition, as appropriate as that may be. Rather, read it with eyes to see and ears to hear how history actually unfolded and how the events surrounding the life of Christ indeed has eternal implications for your very soul.

Starter Prayer:
God,
Thank you that your word is trustworthy and true. Give me fresh eyes to see the advent story unfold from the pages of your sacred gospel in a way that sets my faith on an even firmer foundation. Draw me into deeper affections of the One to whom all of scripture points, namely your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.