Questions I ask myself as I read this

1. Who was this written for?

2. Who wrote it?

3. Why was it written?

1. Who was it written for? “O most excellent Theophilus” suggests he was

a high ranking Roman official. None of the friendly “Hi Theophilus” as

some might write (or email) today. Respect for the recipient is clear.

2. Who wrote it? Luke, who we later learn is a doctor. Someone who thinks

in an orderly fashion and sets about writing accurate information about

Jesus for Theophilus. Luke is not alone in writing down the life of Jesus

as told by those who knew Him. Many others were also doing the same

but Luke’s version is the one we have recorded for us.

3. Why was it written? Luke appears to know Theophilus well enough

to know what he has been taught. I would love to know who taught

him in the first place. Luke gathers his information from eyewitnesses

or proclaimers of the message, or servants of the gospel. Later in this

gospel are personal feelings of Mary the mother of Jesus which only she

could have shared with Luke. All this account to underline and confirm

the truth that Theophilus has heard. The 20th Century New Testament

says “in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of

the story.”

What can we learn from this? If in doubt about what you hear, search the

scriptures to see if they confirm the teaching handed down to you.

Cathie Quinn