The Spread of the Message of Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit Through the Gospel

The Gospel According to Luke is the longest of the four gospels in the New Testament and is compiled from a variety of sources including Mark, the “Q Source” of the double tradition, and another source unique to Luke. While the exact date of origin and author’s identity remain unknown, Luke’s gospel is more efficient in communicating the Good News because it provides historical context early in the story, is more inclusive to the audience because of an appeal to groups of social outcasts, and focuses not just on the works of God and Jesus, but of the Holy Spirit.

First, it’s important to analyze how Luke prefaces the infancy narrative, birth of Jesus, and preparation for public ministry by letting the audience know who was in power at the time in different locations. In this first chapter, Luke writes, “In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah” (Luke 1:5). This introduces the reader to the background of the story by telling them who was in power, which is something they’re familiar with. Then, he introduces names of characters, which they probably aren’t as familiar with. Luke does this again by starting the next chapters with “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled” (Luke 2:1), and “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene” (Luke 3:1). Again, this is purely to acquaint the reader with the context of the story Luke is about to tell; these names don’t come up again and serve to bolster Luke’s credibility and familiarize the audience with the context of the story so they can better understand it.

In addition to the history Luke provides, he relates it to the audience by telling many stories that include groups of outcasts. Luke’s writing does not have the same Jewish style Matthew’s gospel has, and he makes many appeals to gentiles. The earliest occurs in Chapter 2, when Simeon blesses the child Jesus: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). Gentiles are included in Jesus’ works throughout the story, as are tax collectors. Jesus makes sure to include groups of people who were disliked by their peers: “The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Luke 7:34-35). By including these stories, Luke is making a broad appeal to the world beyond the Jewish community. He includes stories of Jesus teaching to and performing miracles for women and the poor, two more groups that did not enjoy social privilege.

Another point Luke dwells on is the work of the Holy Spirit. Mark barely mentioned the Spirit, and Matthew included one reference to the Trinity, but Luke includes many stories detailing the work of the Spirit. This theme starts in the first chapter with Jesus being conceived by the spirit: “And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you’” (Luke 1:35). While this isn’t surprising to anyone raised a Christian, Luke continues with emphasis on the spirit: “How much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13). This is Luke’s way of explicitly telling the reader the Spirit will work for them if they come to God. He wants to make it clear to the audience the Holy Spirit is as important as God and Jesus, and perhaps even more so; Luke makes this overtly understood by instructing the disciples “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Luke 12:10).

All in all, this is a book that communicates the Good News in a way that can be more easily understood by the reader. Luke intentionally includes the historical context of local rulers to familiarize the audience before introducing new characters. He incorporates stories about groups of people like gentiles, tax collectors, women, and the poor in order to universalize the message of Jesus Christ. Finally, he focuses on the Holy Spirit and its works to reassure the community of believers in the fulfillment of the Good News.