Distinctives of Luke: Focus on Women

This is the start of a new series leading up to the Quiz Team kickoff on September 3 where we discuss some of the distinctive themes of the Gospel of Luke. One that certainly stands out is his focus on the role of women in Jesus ministry and the early church.

Did you know that the biblical story of Gabriel's announcement to Mary that God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah is recorded only in the Gospel of Luke?

Without the inspired writings of Luke, we would also not know about the miraculous conception of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist; the story of the prophetess Anna; the virgin Mary's song of praise: the story of the woman anointing Jesus' feet with her tears and costly oil; and of the women disciples, along with men, who accompanied Jesus in his travels and helped support his ministry.

What a legacy the third evangelist has left Christians. Luke has a special interest in women. Only he tells us of the prominence of women in Christ's ministry. As Ben Witherington III writes: "It is Elizabeth and Mary, not Zechariah and Joseph, who are first to receive the message of Christ's coming, who are praised and blessed by God's angels, and who are first to sing and prophesy about the Christ child. Luke presents these women not only as Witnesses to the events surrounding the births of John and Jesus, but also as active participants in God's Messianic purposes"

As you read thru the gospel this year, take a moment to notice how different Jesus's attitude is toward women, when compared to the other men around him. And notice how important their role was in the formative days of Christianity.