By week's end, we will be a little more than halfway through Luke's Gospel. The stories are familiar. They read like repeats from Matthew and Mark. Together, the three (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are called the Synoptic Gospels. The harmony among the three is unmistakable.

These three Gospels are parallel in both content and chronology and, they are harmonious in their presentation of Jesus. The Gospel of John is not synoptic and it will be clear why when we begin reading it in a few weeks.

Having said that, it is worth noting these things that set Luke apart from the other gospels:

• Luke is volume one of a two volume work; the second being the book of Acts.
• Luke is a Gentile; the only one of the Gospel writers who is not Jewish.
• Luke pays particular attention to stories of Jesus that elevate those who would have been outsiders (for example: the unclean, the lowly, women, the poor, Samaritans).
• Luke mentions Jerusalem some 30 times in his Gospel and another 57 times in Acts. Compare that to Matthew (10 times) and Mark (14 times) and it is clear that Jerusalem holds a very central place in Luke's narrative.
• Luke is the longest of the gospels.
• Luke is the only one to report the ascension of Jesus.
• Throughout Luke there is an emphasis on prayer; particularly by Jesus before important occasions.

Facebook Question

Join the discussion on the SPD One Year Bible Read-Along Facebook group page!

This last week I received an email with some words that might encourage you. We have talked often about reading devotionally; about reading to listen; about reading as distinct from studying. For many of us, this has been a real challenge. I rarely read anything without a pen and a highlighter and a notebook -- you know, just in case! To let go of an academic read of the Bible can be difficult. Here's a quote from the email:

May the journey of this fellow traveler, encourage you and may the prayer inspire you.