The Gospel Study - The Gospel of Luke

reported by John-Peter Gernaat

The study of the Gospel of Luke is proving to be most insightful. In his introduction, he makes it clear that he has followed a path of spiritual investigation which he will endeavour to show to his readers. He, therefore, takes the events that we read about in the other Gospels and orders these in a way that leads the reader to an understanding at which Luke has arrived. Luke is familiar with the Noble Eightfold Path that the Buddha and realises that the Christ has brought a new understanding to the Eightfold Path. It is this new understanding that Luke reveals in his Gospel. He does this through the description of events, healings, parables and teachings that culminate in a meal. At the meal the insight of the Eightfold Path is revealed.

The first step on the Eightfold Path is Right Understanding. The right understanding is that Christ came to heal. Sin is a state that leads to death. Christ has come to give life. The human constitution was sick and it was in need of healing of the separation that existed in the soul in order for the Spirit to fill the human constitution.

The second step on the Eightfold Path is Right Thinking. Right thinking is a knowing that is free of doubt. It is not based on proof but on an inner knowing. The right thinking frees the human being without the need to undergo a process of initiation as was required in pre-Christian times

The path that Luke takes his readers on to reveal each of these steps on the Eightfold Path is profound. The insight that Michaël is bringing to this study is quite remarkable.