Luke the Evangelist and Companion of Paul
- Ken Kalis
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Feast Day: October 18
Τετραευάγγελο Ε140 της Μεγίστης Λαύρας. Ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς. 15ος αιώνας Luke the Evangelist, Unknown artist 1450, PUBIC DOMAIN
Luke has always been my favorite physician, historian, and storyteller.
For a doctor, he has a great bedside manner, and his patients get healed.
As a historian, he is impeccable, interviewing the Virgin Mary for details about Jesus..
Luke writes about the founding and early history of the Christian Church.
He gave us the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, the best of his 24 parables.
He was St. Paul's best friend and stuck with him to the very end. Enjoy him today.
The Beloved Physician
St. Luke (1-16 - 84-100)is the only Gentile author of the New Testament and one of the most gifted storytellers in all Scripture. Paul* (5-67) calls him “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), and it is through Luke that we glimpse Christ’* (4BC -30 AD) compassion for the sick, the poor, and the outcast.
His medical background shows in the detail and care with which he records Jesus’ healings and parables of mercy.
An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES.
Luke wrote not only the Gospel according to Luke but also the Acts of the Apostles, giving us both the story of Christ’s earthly ministry and the birth of the early Church. His writing connects the cradle at Bethlehem with the cross at Calvary and the mission field that followed.
Mary’s Influence and the Songs of the Nativity in Luke
From the opening chapters of his Gospel, Luke seems to draw from the memories of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He alone records the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, her Magnificat, Elizabeth’s joy, the shepherds’ adoration, and the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple.
These details have the quiet intimacy of a mother’s recollections — suggesting that Mary herself may have been one of Luke’s sources. Through these stories, Luke gives us the music of heaven breaking into earth — the Magnificat, the Benedictus, the Gloria in Excelsis, and the Nunc Dimittis — the four songs of the Incarnation that have enriched Christian worship for two thousand years.
Companion of Paul
Luke joined Paul on his missionary journeys and stayed with him through imprisonment and hardship. In the closing lines of 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul writes movingly, “Only Luke is with me.” The steadfastness of that friendship is itself a sermon — reminding us that faithfulness in presence can be as holy as boldness in preaching.
The Physician of the Soul
Luke saw that every human heart is diseased by sin and in need of the Great Physician. His Gospel shows us the Savior who heals lepers, forgives sinners, restores the broken, and raises the dead. In his careful testimony, Luke provides what the Collect calls “the wholesome medicine of the doctrine he taught” — the Gospel that heals both body and soul.
Reflection
Luke teaches us to see Christ’s mercy through a physician’s eyes — precise, compassionate, and healing. He invites us to care not only for bodies but for souls; to bring the light of Christ to those who are sick, forgotten, or far from God.
Discussion Question
How does Luke’s example as both physician and evangelist inspire your own calling — to bring healing through faith, words, or acts of mercy?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Great Physician of our souls, thank You for the witness of Your servant Luke, whose Gospel reveals Your compassion and grace. Make us healers in Your name, that we may proclaim the good news of Your kingdom to the sick, the sorrowful, and the lost. Amen.
1 The great Physician now is near,
the sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus.
Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
sweetest name on mortal tongue;
sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
2 Your many sins are all forgiven,
oh! hear the voice of Jesus;
go on your way in peace to heaven,
and wear a crown with Jesus. [Refrain]
3 All glory to the risen Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Savior's name,
I love the name of Jesus. [Refrain]
4 His name dispels my guilt and fear,
no other name but Jesus;
oh! how my soul delights to hear
the charming name of Jesus. [Refrain]