Being the Gospel

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
(Luke 1:1-4)

Luke speaks about the contemporary writing scene. "...many have undertaken to compile an account..." He is aware of the many who are writing around him. Yet his writings become a Gospel, while these others don't. Luke did not know he was writing a Gospel. His intent is to pass on to his friend Theophilus a very accurate account. He uses words and phrases like "just as," "carefully," "in consecutive order," "exact truth."

We are to be "witnesses and servants" at the same time, to the word and to the world. We must be both. If I am just a witness to what has been fulfilled, I am keeping a distance. There is something between me and what I am seeing. Maybe this was part of the story of Judas. But if I am just a servant and not a witness, I would lose my joy. If my gospel is a gospel of duty only, it is not a gospel.

You are a Gospel when you are a witness and a servant at the same time. Your life speaks about His triumphs, not yours. Luke says he is following what happened in order to write it down -- in other words, he is being a servant. But in writing about the story, Luke steps into the story. He is a recorder, not a doer, but in recording, he becomes a doer also.

[AV, (c)2004]