What a contrast between Luke and John. One is all business, the other all poetry.
One writes like a lawyer, lining up each piece of evidence in perfect order. The other takes a more creative approach, speaking in figurative language.
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightiest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” Luke 1:1-4.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not” John 1:1-5.
Which do you prefer?
John is the poet/philosopher, speaking of Jesus only as WORD and LIGHT. His approach is my preference, but barely. I love a thorough history, reported carefully and in perfect order. HOWEVER, once you understand that history, you MUST graduate to the metaphorical level. That is, if the facts Luke reports are TRUE, then it’s time to understand what John has to say: What is the “Word made flesh”? And the “Light of the world”? Do you see what John sees? Do you know Jesus as the LIGHT that LIGHTS UP your life? Does His light defeat the darkness around you?
I find John’s words challenging. Could I have written them? Do I see the Risen, Eternal, Son of God as clearly as John does?
Do you? Why not?
God, help us master the facts like Luke, and see the deeper truths like John.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 