Symbolic Figure In The Gospel Of Luke

In the Gospel of Luke, it is emphasized that God cares for the poor and lowly.The Gospel of Luke was written on 80-90 AD. Luke was a Gentile who converted to Christianity. He is also the companion of Saint Paul and the author of Acts of the Apostles. Luke aims to reach to the lowly through Jesus, by bringing them liberty and good news that they too are welcomed in heaven. Jesus shows this in many acts such as recovering sight of the blind, releasing the imprisoned, and freeing the oppressed. As a result, Luke shows Jesus as a compassionate savior because he seeks to save those who are in need and give the lowly God’s mercy.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares the life of the lowly and poor. Although he is a savior, he is also a human being who is often rejected during his ministry, just like how society view and often treat lowly people. “The one who has power on earth to cure the sick, forgive sins, and exorcise demons serves at table and is obedient to the

Father in prayer. Jesus lives out the story of God’s mercy for his people as a humble, lowly person, open to the power of God in his life” (Smith, 3). In Luke 4:14-30, Jesus was rejected in his own hometown, Nazareth. He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day to read out a scripture. When the Israelites had heard what Jesus said they were irritated and he was thrown off a cliff. This reveals that Jesus takes part in the life of the lowly, symbolizing the major importance lowly people are to God. God is simply passionate about the poor because they are the ones who seem to hurt the most.

Luke emphasizes Jesus’ ministry to the lowly using the beatitudes and the woes. They state “ Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours.. But woe to you rich, for your consolation is now”. The rich are to feel remorse because of the possessions that they have. Because of this, they are not in God’s favor because they have already received their reward. However, the lowly are singled out in society, therefore God singles them out to be blessed. “The poor are pronounced blessed because God’s rule, which is for life, wholeness and health, has graciously singled them out. The rich are called upon to repent before the impending judgement because they have sought consolation in their possessions and not in God’s rule which is for fullness of life” (Smith, 2). Luke develops the idea that we should not trust in possessions and materialistic things because those who let go of their possessions they are promised a “plentiful return” (Luke 18:30). Also, holding possessions is a sin. One should not be identified by how much they possess. Possessions disconnects our relationship with God because seeking happiness through physical goods lowers the dependency of God.

Furthermore, Luke is the only Gospel to highlight women in the ministry of Jesus.

One of the symbolic figures shown is Mary, who is the mother of Jesus. In Luke, Mary is said to follow along Jesus’ ministry even though she may not understand. Another figure that Luke emphasize is the sinful woman (1;36-50). The woman sinned a lot, however when Jesus came she washed and kissed his feet, put oil on his head and poured perfume on his feet. Because of her faithful act, she was forgiven. At the end of the parable, Jesus tells the woman that her faith has saved her. Another women in the ministry of Jesus is Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the wife of Zechariah. Elizabeth is righteous. She follows all the laws and commandments of God. As a result, she was approved by God. Because of her obedience, she was able to conceive at an old age. Her son’s name is John the Baptist. This is significant to Jesus because both Jesus and John are closely connected and John helped to deliver Jesus’

mission.

Throughout Luke, Jesus is described as a compassionate savior that calls attention to the lowly in Jesus’ ministry. God has special love for the lowly people. Jesus too is a lowly person who helps us see that possessions only open a gap between the relationship of God and us. In the end we are called to imitate Jesus Christ service to the lowly people by helping the poverty and the oppressed because “ the church is not set up to seek earthly glory but to proclaim humility and self-sacrifice” ( Smith, 4).