Scripture: Luke 1:1–4
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. - Luke 1:1-4
Luke begins his Gospel in an interesting way. He doesn’t say, “Just believe this because I told you to.”
He essentially says, “Check my work.”
Luke tells us that he carefully investigated what happened. He talked to eyewitnesses. He examined the accounts. Then he wrote an orderly record so that Theophilus could “know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
That matters because Christianity is not built on a fairy tale that begins, “Once upon a time in a land far away…”
It is rooted in history.
Real people.
Real places.
Real rulers.
Real eyewitnesses.
And ultimately, a real Jesus who lived, died, was buried, and rose again.
Think about something like the 9/11 attacks.
Even 25 years later, people who lived through that day could tell you exactly where they were when they heard the news.
They remember where they were sitting.
Who they were with.
What they were doing.
What they saw on television.
Why?
Because some events are so significant that they become impact events. They burn themselves into your memory.
Now imagine witnessing Jesus heal someone who had been blind his entire life. Imagine watching Him feed thousands of people with a few loaves and fish. Imagine standing there as Jesus was crucified. And then imagine seeing Him alive again three days later. You don't just forget that - and the earliest record we have of the resurrection is found in 1 Corinthians 15 (55AD), which was 22 years after the resurrection (33AD). So the time gap between the resurrection and 1 Corinthians 15 is larger than the 9/11 attacks and current day.
The writers of the New Testament weren't sitting around decades later trying to invent interesting stories about Jesus. They were recording events that had changed their lives forever. And sometimes Christians become nervous when people ask difficult questions about the Bible. But if what we believe is true, questions don't threaten the truth.
Truth can handle investigation.
In fact, the Bible repeatedly invites us to look at the evidence. John essentially says, “We saw Him.” Paul tells the Corinthians that hundreds of people witnessed the risen Jesus and many of them were still alive when he wrote it.
In other words: “Go ask them. Check my work.”
Our faith isn't asking us to turn our brains off. It's inviting us to examine the evidence and then place our trust in the One to whom all the evidence points. And that's ultimately the point of the Bible.
The Bible isn't primarily a collection of disconnected inspirational stories. From Genesis to Revelation, it is one unfolding story with one ultimate Hero: Jesus.
Jesus said: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” - John 5:39
So when you open your Bible, don't just ask: “What does this say about me?”
Ask: “What does this show me about Jesus?”
Reflection Questions:
- Have I ever been afraid to ask difficult questions about my faith?
- Do I approach the Bible merely looking for advice, or looking for Jesus?
- If the resurrection really happened, how should that really change the way I live today?
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