Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph...
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Chapter 3 is another introduction of sorts - an intro to the adult life and ministry of Jesus. There are several verses here which fit the theme verse we discussed in chapter one - that Luke is writing for the purpose of instilling certainty in his readers. This chapter fulfills this purpose in at least two ways:
1. Historical Markers. Verses 1-3 provide incredible detail about the specific time in which these events took place, making Luke's narrative a clear example of historical biography rather than dramatic fiction. The naming of specific rulers and leaders would have been the most accurate way to date events, and scholars today have relied on these markers in dating the events and when they were recorded. Luke's extensive genealogy in this chapter presents yet another common time marker from this era - the family tree. This would have been included by Luke mainly to place Jesus in space-time history, as opposed to promoting a sense of legend or myth.
2. Journalistic Style. Continuing the tone of an essentially journalistic account from chapters 1 and 2, Luke describes the early events of John the Baptist in a matter-of-fact literal manner. The events are recorded with concrete imagery and verbatim dialogue, apparently collected in eyewitness accounts and organized by Luke in a straightforward chronological fashion. C. S. Lewis commented likewise that the writing style of the Gospels in no way resemble typical first century legend writings:
"I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know that not one of them is like this. Of this text there are only two possible views. Either this is reportage -- Or else, some unknown writer without known predecessors or successors, suddenly anticipated the whole technique of modern, novelistic, realistic narrative. If it is untrue, it must be narrative of that kind. The reader who doesn't see this has simply not learned to read." (from Christian Reflections)
What is the purpose of these markers, genealogies, and literal stylings? Why does it matter that we have certainty about the times, places, and historical reality of these events? Why not just believe what you choose to believe? Well, contrary to popular notions today, the primitive world of the ancient Near-East had a firm grip on the difference between reality and fantasy. In fact, one could argue that the modern world's acceptance of pure subjective truth and individualized "blind faith" is quite a step backward from the simple statement of facts found in the Gospel narrative. What brings hope - real grounded hope - is the certainty that my Creator actually showed up in human history and intervened on my behalf, bearing the death that I deserved, and rising bodily from the dead to demonstrate his love and the promise of resurrection for all who trust in Him. This is good news indeed.
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