Cover-to-Cover Series: The Gospel According to Luke with Susan Wendel

Having discussed Matthew and Mark, we now arrive in our study at Luke, the third of the inspired accounts of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. While there are certainly observable similarities between the writings, there are also important distinctions that illustrate the unique Spirit-wrought perspectives their respective authors sought to contribute for God's glory and our good. Says one commentator from years ago:

"Every one of the four gospels was written from a certain point of view. Very often on stained-glass windows the writers of the gospels are pictured; and usually to each there is attached a symbol. The symbols vary but one of the commonest allocations is this.

"The emblem of Mark is a man. Mark is the simplest and most straightforward of the gospels. It has been well said that its characteristic is realism. It is the nearest to being a report of Jesus’ life.

"The emblem of Matthew is a lion. Matthew was a Jew writing for Jews and he saw in Jesus the Messiah, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the one whom all the prophets had predicted.

"The emblem of John is the eagle. The eagle can fly higher than any other bird. It is said that of all creatures only the eagle can look straight into the sun. John is the theological gospel; its flights of thought are higher than those of any of the others. It is the gospel where the philosopher can find themes to think about for a lifetime and to solve only in eternity.

"The symbol of Luke is the calf. The calf is the animal for sacrifice; and Luke saw in Jesus the sacrifice for all the world. In Luke above all, the barriers are broken down and Jesus is for Jew and Gentile, saint and sinner alike. He is the Saviour of the world" (Barclay, The Gospel of Luke, 2).

Dr. Susan Wendel steps in today to help us explore the uniqueness of Luke's gospel. Dr. Wendel currently serves as Seminary dean and associate professor of New Testament at Horizon College and Seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Among other things, she is an expert in the books of Luke and Acts.