“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.” – Luke 1:1-4
Luke’s Gospel reminds us that God’s plan is never random—it unfolds with precision and purpose. Luke, writing decades after Christ’s resurrection, paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ determined journey to Jerusalem, where the shadow of the cross loomed over every step. He records Jesus’ words in Luke 22:22, “The Son of Man goes as it has been determined by God.” Just as Jesus walked in the certainty of the Father’s plan, we too must remain open to receive what God desires to reveal. When truth confronts us, our defenses often rise, but openness to His Word is the doorway to transformation. Only then can we say with confidence that we will go as it has been determined by God.
Luke himself is a testimony of God’s purposeful design. Scripture calls him “the beloved physician,” a Gentile and companion of Paul, entrusted with nearly a third of the New Testament. His careful research and attention to detail remind us that the Gospel is for all nations and that God uses unexpected people to accomplish His purposes. Luke’s account is not random storytelling—it is Spirit-inspired truth, grounded in eyewitness testimony and historical accuracy. His unique details, such as Jesus at age twelve, show us the care with which he wrote, perhaps even drawing from Mary’s own recollections. This reminds us that the story of Jesus was not hidden; it was lived, witnessed, and faithfully recorded for our benefit.
Just as Luke relied on trusted witnesses, we must cling to the truth handed down to us. In a world filled with countless voices and opinions, we cannot chase every new idea—we must hold fast to the Gospel fulfilled in Christ. Luke wrote with clarity, even if it was only for one man, Theophilus. That reminds us that sometimes God calls us to labor for just one soul, and that work is never insignificant. Whether speaking to a crowd or to a single friend, our responsibility is the same: share Christ clearly, simply, and faithfully. The call to action is this—open your heart fully to God’s Word, let His truth penetrate your defenses, and be willing to serve wherever He places you, even if it is for one person. In doing so, you participate in His precise, purposeful plan that is never by chance.
“The supreme mystery with which the gospel confronts us lies not in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation.” – J.I. Packer
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