![]() The third gospel in the Newer Testament is written by Luke. Of course we do not have his signature to prove this (we do not even have the original manuscript any longer too), but church tradition informs us that this is the case. Luke’s authorship also extends to the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. These are two books of substantial length which make up almost a quarter of the NT. What is more, Luke is the only Gentile to write in the NT. Luke’s Gentile background is of interest because of his partnership with Paul the apostle. In Acts, there will be times where the language suddenly changes from narrating the event in the third person to the first person (see Acts 21). Luke is also described in terms of his occupation. At the end of the letter to the Colossians, Paul informs the church that Luke the beloved physician greets you (Colossians 4:14). Luke is a unique witness in the canon of the NT. Adding to this, I have reason to think that Luke had a thing for trees. In his gospel, Luke brings up trees as ways of Jesus teaching His disciples or the crowds. Recall the parable of a fruitless fig tree. The conversation is about whether to cut it down and they decide not to but to give it another year to bear fruit. Consider Luke’s Jesus selectivity in talking about a mulberry tree. It is the kind of tree that ends up taking its roots way down deep. Only Luke’s Jesus makes this observation of the type of tree. Then there is the famous Zacchaeus, whom Luke is the only gospel writer to bring up. Recall Zacchaeus goes up a sycamore fig tree to get a view of Jesus who is coming his way. It is there that Jesus calls on the chief tax collector to come down because the Son of God must have a meal with him. Then in Jesus’ apocalyptic discourse in chapter 21, He calls on His disciples (and us the reader/hearer) to look at the fig tree and all the trees. The last part of the sentence is unique to Luke. He alone would have us to look at all the trees, and not just the fig tree alone. It is also of interest that Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree that is narrated in Matthew and Mark is not found in Luke. It does not suit his need for his hearers. What then is Luke up to when Jesus is discussing trees? The clue comes in the second volume, the Book of Acts. There are only three references made to a tree in Acts: But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." (5:29-31) As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (10:36-41) And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. (13:28-31) These three references come from the mouth of Peter and Paul, apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The focus is on Jesus’ death on a tree. Jesus’ died on a tree? I thought it was a cross? Luke undertakes an imaginative look at Jesus’ death. But let us be clear that Luke is not making this up in his head. This is a Spirit-led evangelist who is searching the Scriptures where life is promised. It appears the Scripture that captures Luke’s mind is in the Book of Deuteronomy: "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. (Deut. 21:22-23) Luke sees Jesus’ death as that of an innocent man who is condemned as a common criminal. He dies on the cross then as a curse, for a hanged man is cursed by God. Yet no sooner do we learn of Jesus dying an ignominious death that the apostolic witness proclaims God raised Him from the dead. On the third day, God vindicated His servant who trusted Him and acted wisely. Luke’s interest in trees then goes beyond a hobby or preference. It is all tied into the purposes of salvation and the way God blessed the world at the tree where His Son died for the sins of the world. God took our curse upon Himself in Christ and rescues us from the damnation of living in bondage to the sin, death and the devil. Alleluia for God’s righteous deed that makes us righteous through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
A Word from the PastorGreetings to all of you in Christ's name. This blog is for you to consider in your walk with God. Shalom. Archives
November 2016
Categories |