Excellence

 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,
Luke 1:3 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.1.3.ESV

Never mind 'most excellent Theophilus' as the initial recipient of this gospel; Doctor Luke comes across as a most excellent historian of Jesus. He is the only Gentile writer of the forty or so authors of the Bible!

Luke was from Troas in modern day Turkey, when he met the apostle Paul, came to faith, and became part of his mission team. He wasn't just some curious Roman skeptic of a biographer. He was convinced that the Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, and he wanted Theophilus to share that certainty.

As Luke travelled with Paul, he will have met other pioneering disciples of Jesus, who he could interview for his gospel. This wasn't some kind of apocryphal gnostic gospel, but a credible historical account. With his doctorly forensic approach, he applied his learning to creating a gospel- a record of the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We might not know for sure whether Theophilus came to a sure and certain hope in Christ as his Lord. But as we read Luke's gospel, we can come to that conclusion for ourselves. Luke's orderly account has blessed many more than perhaps he could ever have imagined with his intended audience of one!

'Lord, we're so excited to receive the good news You have for us. Please help us to rejoice in You, for Your honour and praise, amen'

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