The December Gospel of Luke Challenge —Looking at Luke Look at Jesus

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge                    

      —Looking at Luke Look at Jesus

How much do you know about Jesus?—His infancy?—His life and ministry?

Through the month of December, lets journey with Luke through the life of Jesus. We typically focus on His birth during this season. This time let’s also focus on why His birth is significant. 

Connie Wohlford Photo

As a physician, Luke was all about meticulous detail. His Gospel corroborates with many aspects of the other Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John. It also tells about additional events of Jesus life, including His infancy.

Luke substantiates the accuracy of his work with four explanations: 1- his concern with early origins—with priority given to eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:2);  2- his goal to be comprehensive—he says, “all things” (1:3);  3- his chronological telling, “an orderly account” (1:3);  4- his desire for accuracy—“the certainty” (1:4).

“In achieving his purpose, Luke traces in his two volumes (Luke and Acts) the Christian movement from its beginnings with Jesus of Nazareth to its development into a worldwide fellowship transcending the limits of Jewish nationality and embracing Jews and Gentiles impartially. Luke presents Jesus not as a mere Jewish Messiah, but as a world Savior.” *  

So I issue to you and to me the Gospel of Luke Challenge. 

There are twenty four chapters in The Gospel of Luke. 

The challenge is this, each day between December 1 and December 24:

(1) Pray, thanking God for Jesus and His Word.

(2) Read a chapter each day. Chapter 1 will be read on Dec. 1 Chapter 2 will be read on Dec. 2 and so on.

(3) Write in a journal or tablet specific highlights that stand out to you in the day’s reading.

That’s it. Learn Jesus. Travel with me through Luke’s account of the life and ministry of our Lord—our Savior, Messiah, King.

By the time we get to Christmas Eve, we will wholeheartedly praise God with the angels and declare, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

We might even realize that this 10-15 minute block of time each day was some of the best use of our very valuable time during the Christmas season. 

We might even want to repeat the process every year from now on, working our way through the other Gospels as well. 

As I have time, I'll be posting some of my own journaling highlights as I travel through Luke’s account. I (and others) would enjoy seeing some of your highlights recorded in the comment section. And I’ll post maps and appropriate charts along the way when I can.

Let the challenge begin!

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford

*Spirit Filled Life Bible; Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1991; Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, page 1503.