Luke, one of the four Gospel writers, was modest, unassuming, self-forgetful, yet withal a skillful, successful doctor, and by his patients and associates in gospel labor, esteemed a "beloved physician." Col. 4:14. It was the skill manifested in his medical practice that attracted the attention of Paul, who sought his aid in the work of the gospel. (Ministry of Healing, pp. 140, 141.)
Though himself a skillful physician, prescribing and ministering successfully in medical lines to his many patients, Dr. Luke, in writing his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, recorded nothing of his own professional cures, or even that he had part in any of the cures performed by Paul or the other workers, although he was free to record the many, marvelous healings they performed. "His medical skill opened the way for the gospel to reach many hearts."—Counsels on Health, p. 498.
Luke was an educated man. He is spoken of as "St. Luke, the most educated of the four evangelists."—Foxes and Jackson, History of the Christian Church, p. 40. This higher education, however, did not deter him from being all things to all men. He gladly did anything that would advance the work of Christ in the world. He employed, but subordinated his professional education, to this one thing. Dr. Luke does not tell of his long wearisome journeys with Paul, or of his ministry to him, except that sometimes in his record he uses the term "we." The gospel alone was his whole burden.
Dr. Luke was a versatile physician. He won "to himself the affectionate term "Beloved physician." He is termed variously: "A medical missionary" (Ministry of Healing, p. 540) ; "a teacher of the gospel" (p. 141) ' - "a physician and a gospel minister" (Counsels on Health, p. 498). Dr. Luke, as an author, left an indelible impression on the world, and Heaven has set its approval upon his writings. For three months on the island of Melita, along with others, he preached the gospel. (Acts of the Apostles, p. 446.
As a private secretary to Paul and a Gospel amanuensis, he served exceptionally well: "The services of Luke, the beloved disciple and faithful friend, were a great comfort to Paul, and enabled him to communicate with his brethren and the world without."—Acts of the Apostles, p. 490. Luke, as a true friend, was unexcelled. There were seven who were particularly close to Paul, namely, Phygellus, Hermogenes, Demas, Crescens, Titus, Tychicus, and Luke, but they all left him sooner or later, some by desertion, and others on missions to the other churches. (Acts of the Apostles, p. 490.)
Although Jesus spent more time in healing the sick than in teaching or preaching, thus establishing healing as very important in soul-saving work, yet he subordinated the work of healing to the work of most importance, that of preaching the gospel. Dr. Luke did the same, recognizing that it was the power of God that healed those for whom he prescribed. Though there were many physicians in His day (Mark 5 :26), yet, in selecting His twelve disciples, Jesus did not choose a physician as one of them. Instead He chose a tax collector, some fishermen, and others, and taught them true ministry, and also the vital importance of healing the sick as a very definite part of their work of preaching the gospel.
Jesus did nothing whatever to restrict or professionally isolate the work of healing the sick. It is possible that there were no converted, qualified physicians as yet available when Jesus chose His disciples, or it may be, that before physicians were to be joined to the gospel ministry, He wished fully to establish the healing of the sick as a part of the gospel service of every faithful worker in His cause. Later, when Paul became a teacher and preacher, the Saviour led him to employ every talent available, and he secured the physician, Dr. Luke, to assist him in his gospel work of teaching and preaching and healing.
It should be borne in mind also that Jesus did not choose one of the great teachers or preachers or philosophers or doctors of the law of His day to be one of His twelve disciples, though He would gladly have done so. "Had the teachers and leaders in Israel yielded to His transforming grace, Jesus would have made them His ambassadors among men."—Mount of Blessing, p. is. Instead, He gave the required power and wisdom in all these lines to a tax collector and to fishermen, and trained them in necessary knowledge. So well did He train them that they have left with us teachings, philosophies, and dissertations of law unexcelled and unequaled to this day.
As Luke wholly subordinated his profession and high education to the interests of the gospel, so all of us today, including physicians, teachers, and preachers, are under the most solemn obligation to subordinate our all to the cause of Christ in the earth. Luke was inspired to this full subordination by his knowledge of Jesus. It is this also that will inspire us.
