Luke is absolutely my favorite gospel. It is the longest of the gospels and with Luke, Volume 2 (the Book of Acts), Luke writes more of the New Testament than anyone else.
He places more unique information in his account of the life of Jesus than any other gospel writer. We would not know of the manger, the shepherds, the Good Samaritan, the Rich man and Lazarus, the two on the Road to Emmaus, or the much loved story of Martha and Mary were it not for Luke.
However, it is the themes used by Luke that frighten me. Let me give you a prominent example. In fact, this theme is on almost every page of Luke.
The religious leaders seldom understand the very “heart of God,” although they seem to know the rules. Those who would be expected to miss the intent of God often seem to understand almost naturally. In the story of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite know the rules and have the best chance of knowing God’s compassion, yet they miss it entirely. The hated Samaritan should have missed it but seems to understand.
Another example would be Zachariah the priest (the father of John the Baptist) who failed to believe when Gabriel came to him. Yet, a young girl named Mary from the backwater town of Nazareth seemed to easily believe and understand. She responds by saying: “Behold, I am the slave of the Master” in Luke 1:38. She reveals an unexpected and uncanny knowledge of the ways of God.
The rich often do not understand either. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man leaves Lazarus at his gate wishing to eat the crumbs dropped under the rich man’s table. Somehow his riches keep him from understanding “the heart of God” at all. Lazarus understands the truth in the eyes of God, for we see him next at the side of Abraham.
This rather consistent theme in Luke scares me as a spiritual leader. Is it possible that I, too, can know all the rules and then miss the very “heart of God?”
I worry when I hear a truth proclaimed that is beyond what He has revealed. Does it have more to do with the network we listen to and the crowd with which we associate? The answer is “yes” and it can refer to any of us.
Spiritual leaders have to be men and women of prayer to have a chance of knowing His will and that prayer will have to be laced with a great deal of humility. “I do not know your will about this issue; teach me.” “I cannot preach this sermon the way you wish; empower me.” “I fear being prophetic, after I have heard your Word; help me overcome my fear.”
To hear God on this level requires time. Prayer cannot be bookends on the end of each day. Spiritual leaders need an abundance of time with the Master in prayer. Only He holds the answers on issues that spiritual leaders tend to miss.
The Rev. Randy Spaugh is pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in Kinston. Reach him at drrandyspaugh@gmail.com.