Certainty? Who has Any Good News?
Luke addresses uncertainty in uncertain times with a comforting witness:
.. many have undertaken .. a narrative .. from eyewitnesses ..
.. it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,
.. that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. – Excerpt Luke 1:1-4
Consider events of this past week or most recent months? Any good news of consequence other than feel-good fluff? Uncertainty seems to rule the day.
We live in a world filled with headlines of hopelessness and endless debates of speculative fear. And as I consider unexpected wars between rich rulers I sense only uncertain futures in these times.
Yet do not despair, beloved friend; for we proclaim a gospel of hope in times of hopelessness. We preach a gospel of certainty in uncertain times, life eternal in Christ Jesus.
What Gospel after the Resurrection?
Transitions bring uncertainty even to those comfortable with trusting God. Jesus’ disciples had just fifty more days to learn to trust in a new and certain covenant with the Lord. Then upon His ascension into the clouds the Holy Spirit would confirm their new certainty.
The opening words of the meticulous physician historian Luke affirm his purpose:
‘that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.’
Jesus taught the Disciples, who subsequently taught others with His authority. Like Paul and Mark, Luke was a follower of The Way who had access to the Jesus’ Disciples.
Luke records their certain witness near the end of the first century, A.D. in Luke-Acts, a two-scroll history.
More to Come
In this next series we will examine the transitional time of uncertainty just a few years after the ascension of Jesus. We will also take a look back to Joshua, who led the Hebrew people through another transitional time after the death of Moses.
Conquering the Promised Land in many ways parallels the uncertain task of Jesus’ followers proclaiming the Gospel to the entire world. The old and new commissions both depend on the Lord. And lest we forget, our own uncertain times in this 21st century after Christ require much faith.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
To be continued…
Leave a Reply