St. Luke, The Evangelist

On October 18 we remember that God has truly blessed the Christian Church through the work of St. Luke, The Evangelist. He was St. Paul’s companion. He researched the life of Jesus in order to write the Gospel bearing his name. In his research he may have talked to Mary or someone very close to her so that he is able to tell us about the manger and the shepherds. Many parts of our worship come from Luke such as: The Benedictus—Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79; The Magnificat—Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55; The Gloria in Excelsis—Luke 2:14; and The Nunc Dimittis—Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32. Many other well know events in the life of Christ are recorded by Luke such as: Jesus words to the thief on the cross, “This day you will be with me in paradise,” Luke 23:43 and that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, Luke 22:44. St. Paul calls Luke the Beloved Physician, Colossians 4:14. As Paul’s companion he witnessed St. Paul fight the good fight of faith and records his activities in The Acts of the Apostles. The sweet message of salvation through Christ that the Holy Spirit directed St. Luke to write comes to us like water in the wilderness.

Here is a reading from the Book of Concord for St. Luke, Evanglelist:

The Formula of Concord, The Epitome

Article III, The Righteousness of Faith Before God, 4.

We believe, teach, and confess that our righteousness before God is this: God forgives our sins out of pure grace, without any work, merit, or worthiness of ours preceding, present, or following. He presents and credits to us the righteousness of Christ’s obedience [Romans 5:17-19]. Because of this righteousness, we are received into grace by God and regarded as righteous.