Be Most Excellent, Theophilus

The Gospel readings in the Liturgical Calendar for Sunday Cycle C originate from the writings of St. Luke. Luke entrusted this meticulously researched account to Theophilus, who shared it widely within the early Church. Luke’s careful attention to detail and his use of inclusive language are highly commendable. The thoroughness and precise research in Luke 1:1-4 indicate his identity as a physician of Gentile descent, as noted in Colossians 4:10-14. We understand that Luke composed two accounts for Theophilus: the first is titled the Gospel of Luke, while the second is the Acts of the Apostles. The introductions in both books suggest that Luke wished for Theophilus and anyone else who encounters this report to grasp the certainty of the teachings they had received.

Our response to being disciples of the Lord Jesus involves believing in the certainty of His word and, in turn, entrusting it to others. Luke exemplifies one method of doing this: researching and disseminating. All who hear this word are in the process of being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from God, the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). We need a firm grasp of the truth of the Word so that we can stand firm in it and pass it along to a desperate hurting world (Colossians 3:16). And so it is, that St. Paul urges us to do our best to present ourselves to God as approved by Him, unashamed in work and rightly explaining the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

It appears that Luke conducted thorough research without fully grasping the extent of his writing; nevertheless, he remained meticulously conscientious and faithful to his sole audience, Theophilus. We also remain unaware of the plans that God has for our lives, for no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Therefore, we must endeavour to be faithful followers of Christ, living lives worthy of the Lord and fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. As we share in the saints’ inheritance in the light of His Word, we are strengthened by His glorious power to endure everything with patience while giving thanks to God the Father for this Gift (Colossians 1:11-12).

As we journey alongside St. Luke’s discovery of the Lord Jesus, we do not focus on the mastery of refined, classical academia but rather appreciate the simplicity of the presentation aimed at helping the ordinary person understand the Lord Jesus through the love of God. Thus, you (and I) are Theophilus. While we acknowledge other accounts of the life of Jesus, we embark on this path of rediscovery through the writings of St. Luke. We join a community of Christians privileged with fellowship (Acts 16:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24) that transcends race, gender, or culture (Colossians 4:10-14). We hope to deepen our faith by studying the facts presented in Luke’s account, appreciating the orderliness and comprehensiveness of the detailed events from the Annunciation of John the Baptist to the Ascension of the Lord Jesus. We recognise the value of Luke’s universality (where Gentiles are portrayed in a favourable light) and inclusivity (incorporating the roles of women, children, and social outcasts). We learn the importance of prayer in ministry (exemplified by the seven episodes depicting Jesus’ prayer-filled life) and the joy of surrendering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we endeavour to preach the good news through our lives. Luke bestows the title “Most Excellent Theophilus” upon anyone who identifies as a friend of God, someone who loves God, or believes that God loves them.

Friends of God

When the Lord Jesus said, “I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father” (John 15:15), He expressed the importance of being united with the Father. He shared everything with us and desires us to remain outside of matters but understand the logic of love from within through participation. When we comprehend what the master is doing, we are no longer called enslaved people.

Scripture provides examples of individuals regarded as friends of God. There was David—a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14); Moses—with whom God spoke face to face, as one speaks to a friend (Exodus 33:11); Enoch—who cultivated a life of friendship and walked faithfully with God (Genesis 5:24); and Abraham—who believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, earning him the title of ‘friend of God’ (James 2:23). These holy individuals sought to live their lives in praise of God, loving one another and advocating for justice and peace, reflecting the lifestyle of the early Christian community (Acts 2:42-47) to which we are all called. As we read Luke’s gospel, we understand the truth of the matters we have been instructed (Luke 1:3-4). We shall discover that friendship embodies the principles of Christ’s affection for us and serves as a means of communion where we encounter Christ’s love. This friendship reminds us that we are not alone; we have love at the core of our identity as Christians. It acts as a mirror reflecting who we are—acceptable and lovable. Consequently, we must reclaim this friendship with Christ and establish a profound connection with Him.

Lovers of God

Those who genuinely love God are a living wonder, for He reveals truths to them through the Spirit. For those who cherish God, He prepares things that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has any human heart conceived (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). This expresses the wondrous light, life, and liberty the Gospel communicates to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as required by the Gospel. Similarly, St. Paul conveys the same message – that in former generations, the mystery of the church was not made known to humankind, as it has now been unveiled to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Thus, Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:5-6). This knowledge is beyond the grasp of human wisdom or investigation, and only the Holy Spirit can reveal God and His wisdom.

We inhabit societies that encourage us to love ourselves unconditionally, as this self-love forms the foundation of a healthy human personality. However, it is essential to see ourselves as we indeed are. We must recognise both our physical selves’ flaws and our identity’s glory in the Lord Jesus Christ. This self-love is the root of all the depravity that Paul mentions springs from it (2 Timothy 3:2). When we centre our own will in existence, both divine and human relationships are shattered; obedience to God and charity towards others become unattainable.

We pursue the love of money as never before, increasingly amassing wealth through calculated boasts, pride, and blasphemy. A frightening breakdown has occurred in the authority once granted by a child to their parents, and disobedience reigns within our families. People are becoming ungrateful, unholy, unloving, and unforgiving towards one another. Slander has evolved into both a booming industry and a lucrative pursuit. We engage in behaviours that are out of control—sex, drugs, alcohol, food, and work. Today’s life choices, such as abortion and euthanasia, scorn and attack the inherent goodness of life while glorifying violence and murder instead. Driven by self-interest, we become traitors, headstrong, haughty, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Reading through Luke’s Gospel should prompt us to realise the truth—about God, who we are, right and wrong, heaven and hell, real love, and the most important things of all—and assist us in living that truth.

Beloved of God

To be called God’s beloved signifies that we are His sons and daughters, acknowledging Him as the Creator of all things. When Paul addresses the Christians in Rome as ‘beloved of God,’ he refers to them as individuals distinguished primarily by the fact that, in Christ, they are freely and eternally loved by God. They needed to recognise themselves as loved by God first and foremost, and so must we.

God’s beloved are uniquely called and chosen as saints who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6-7). God’s love initiates this by sending His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:10 & 1 John 4:19). God’s beloved are chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4 & 2 Thessalonians 2:13), holy and beloved, and are called to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). God’s love comes before the call (Isaiah 65:24). Love is the basis of God’s call. God’s call is a work of grace (Ephesians 2:10).

God’s love efficaciously creates what it commands. We are made lovely because we are beloved of God (Deuteronomy 7:8). God’s love creates that which pleases Him, flowing forth and bestowing good. God chooses to love and rescue us from our sinful, disconcerting conditions (Ezekiel 16:4-6), even when we are dead in our transgressions (Ephesians 2:1-3). God’s love is much more than an invitation because it brings us to life together with Christ, and by grace, we have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5). God’s love is not merely an invitation; it manifests (Hosea 11:4 & 1 John 4:9) toward us that we might live through the Son (John 3:16-17 & Titus 3:4-7).

God demonstrates His love through His many promises regarding our salvation and eternal life. God the Father wishes to be personally involved in our daily lives, for He works in you both to will and to act for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). The Lord Jesus Christ dwells within us when we are converted (Galatians 2:20). When you know yourself as beloved of God, you can endure and even thrive in the most contrary of conditions. In all these things, you are more than a conqueror through Him who loved us; indeed, nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

Take-Home Message: Be Most Excellent

To truly excel, we must love God above all else so that we can best love others. This is because love originates from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7–8). Love embodies God’s nature. We can only love Him or anyone else because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We can only freely give to others what we have freely received from Him (Matthew 10:8). Being created in God’s image and likeness means that we are designed to love God and others as God loves (Genesis 1:26). God is the purest, most perfect, powerful, and precious being in existence. He must love Himself most in order to love everything else best, for everything else is from Him, through Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). It is inappropriate and immoral for God to love anything or anyone more than Himself (Exodus 20:3 & Matthew 22:37–38). We, too, must love God supremely in order to love everything else best.

Through the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we are empowered to fulfil the call to love God above all else (Mark 12:30-31). This liberates us from self-centred love and enables us to love others rightly through God’s grace. By imitating Christ’s sacrifice and loving our neighbours as ourselves, we can reflect God’s perfect love, as demonstrated by His death on the Cross.

*NB: Unless specifically stated, all Bible quotations are from the NRSVCE