A Careful Compilation : Luke 1:2-4 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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A Careful Compilation - Luke 1:2-4

They have written the same things that we learned from some other people--the people that saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. I myself studied everything carefully from the beginning, your Excellency. Then I thought I should write it for you. So I put it in order in a book. I write these things so that you can know that what you have been taught is true. (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

Luke tells us he is thorough and careful in his work recording the story of Jesus for us. His Gospel is the longest and fullest account of Jesus' life we have. He wants us to know that it is also carefully researched and written. His purpose is to give us assurance that we can know the story of Jesus' life accurately. As we journey through this gospel, we will also see that Luke wants us to know that Jesus cares about all people -- young and old, men and women, Jews and non-Jews, powerful and outcasts. Luke will show us more about the Holy Spirit, Jesus' passion for prayer, and the importance of meals than the other gospels. Most importantly, he wants us to know that Jesus came to bring salvation for all people, even us!

Today's Prayer

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Father, I thank you for the gift of salvation that you have given to me through my faith in Jesus, your Son. I am touched to know that you love me and want me as your child. Thank you for preserving the story of Jesus in such detail so I can know about your Son, and your love, more fully. In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

Dear Theophilus, Many people have tried to give a history of the things that happened among us. They have written the same things that we learned from some other people--the people that saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. I myself studied everything carefully from the beginning, your Excellency. Then I thought I should write it for you. So I put it in order in a book. I write these things so that you can know that what you have been taught is true.

— Luke 1:1-4 (ERV)

Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a wealthy, very important tax collector. He wanted to see who Jesus was. There were many other people that wanted to see Jesus too. Zacchaeus was too short to see above the people. So he ran to a place where he knew Jesus would come. Then Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. When Jesus came to that place, Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus in the tree. Jesus said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today." Then Zacchaeus came down quickly. He was happy to have Jesus in his house. All the people saw this. They began to complain, "Look at the kind of man Jesus stays with. Zacchaeus is a sinner!" Zacchaeus said to the Lord (Jesus), "I want to do good. I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated any person, I will pay that person back four times more!" Jesus said, "Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God's chosen people ! The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them."
Luke 19:1-10 (ERV)

But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You know that those teachings are true. You know you can trust the people who taught you those things. You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. Those Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (ERV)

"Now, Lord (God), you can let me, your servant, die in peace like you said. I have seen with my own eyes how you will save your people. Now all people can see your plan. He (Jesus) is a light to show your way to the non-Jewish people. He will bring honor to your people, Israel (the Jews)."
Luke 2:29-32 (ERV)

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HEARTLIGHT^® Magazine is produced by Heartlight, Inc. HEARTLIGHT is a registered service mark of Heartlight, Inc. PO Box 7044, Abilene, TX, USA 79608-7044. Copyright © 1996-2008. Heartlight is supported by Westover Hills Church, Southern Hills Church, and loving Christians from around the world. Scripture quotations are taken from the Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. Used by permission. All rights reserved.