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Our company is named after the Apostle Luke who is the
author of two books in the New Testament of the Bible. Luke's
writings are the single largest contribution to the New Testament.
His written gospel is the longest book in the New Testament. When
added to his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, it adds up
to over one-quarter of the New Testament.
Luke was a physician. He never saw a faceless man or woman.
He saw only an individual—an individual with a specific
affliction or problem. In his writings, Luke describes people with
such realism and empathy that it stirs our emotions even though
these people lived long ago. Luke discusses children more than any
other gospel writer. He captured the essence of anguished parents
when a child, especially an only child, was gravely ill. Luke's
attention to children, women, the poor, the outcast, the
marginalized, the disadvantaged, the suffering reflects the
sensitive nature of a physician who observes the wounded of the
world every day. Luke was compassionate for all people.
Luke was a travel companion of the Apostle Paul and met most
of the leaders of the early church. Luke was with Paul on his many
travels and was even shipwrecked with Paul. Paul was Luke’s
closest friend and to his friend he remained loyal. How loyal was
Luke to Paul? When Paul was imprisoned in Rome and his execution
was imminent, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Luke alone is with
me.” Luke was with Paul even when facing violent mobs that
were steadfastly against them. Luke was loyal and courageous.
Luke was a Gentile which means that he was not a Jew. He was
the only Gentile writer in the New Testament. As a result, he
wrote so that Gentiles could understand. He put Hebrew words into
their Greek equivalent so that a Gentile could clearly grasp the
message. Luke communicated so that all could understand; both in
his time, our time and the future. Luke communicated very
effectively.
As a Gentile, Luke was very different from those around him.
Those around him were predominantly Jews. He did not allow this to
impact his commitment to the Gospel. Luke was dedicated to
spreading the Gospel and would not let the fact that he was a
Gentile interfere with his mission. Luke fully believed in the
mission and was dedicated to it.
Luke documented the early history of the church as the
author of the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts provides an accurate
and detailed account of the events immediately after Christ's
crucifixion and rising from the dead. The Book of Acts discusses
the early church; its sufferings and joys. Luke’s detailed
accounts of the beginning of the church provided the foundation
for the future. Luke understood the importance of documenting
details to establish a strong foundation for the future. Luke
understood the big picture.
In telling the Christian story, Luke told us much about
himself. In fact, we would know very little about Paul if it were
not for Luke. Luke accompanied Paul much of the time; we know this
by his use of the pronouns “we” and “us.”
By writing about Paul and not about himself we see Luke’s
modesty and humility. Even with Luke's important accomplishments,
he remained very humble. In fact, Luke is only mentioned by name
in the Bible three times. Luke understood that it was not about
himself; it was about what is right. Luke was humble.
The Apostle Luke exemplifies what our company, Luke, is all
about. |