My Dear Theophilus

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

The apostle Luke is known for having written two books of the Bible: the first of course, the chapter named for himself. The second being the book of Acts. In both of those books is a dedication. A salutation, if you will, to the mysterious Theophilus. Scholars have questioned the identity of this individual for centuries. There is no further record of a church leader, or anyone to whom these letters would have been written, with that name.

But in fact, Theophilus may not be a name at all, but a title. The name is derived from the Greek for the words God and Love. Theophilus: Friend of God or, alternatively, One Who Loves God. So perhaps the question is not to whom was Luke addressing these words, but, was he writing to you?

Are you a friend of God? How can you know?

Jesus described the greatest of God's commandments like this:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

What does that look like? Jesus said (John 14:15), "if you love me, you'll keep my commandments." One chapter later (15:14), He said, "you are my friends if you do whatever I command you." Friends -- and not servants, because "a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

In John 13, Jesus made it easy for His friends to identify one another -- and for others to know us too!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

So, are you Theophilus -- a Friend of God?  It's easy enough to tell: Friends of God love Him enough to trust Him and do as He says. We love Him enough to spread that love to others. If this is you, Luke's book of Acts has some amazing things in store: tales of God's movement in this world, of the creation of His church, of the works of His Spirit. This is a book written so friends of God could know Him through His apostles. And it's written just for you, one who Loves the Lord. 

I Was Thirsty

Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of Christ's miracles involved helping people?

Had Jesus wanted to simply prove His godhood, He could have done any number of neat tricks. Transported somebody from one spot to another. Caused it to rain out of a blue sky. Made the Sun go dark. Instead, He chose simple, humble compassion. He healed the sick and fed the hungry. He cast out demons.

In short, He loved. And then, He told us to love, too.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

He expanded on this point, in Matthew 25, describing those who would sit at His right hand: 

‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (vs34b-40)

Today is World Water Day. Water isn't a political issue, but an issue of compassion. We can help bring water to those who need it. We see Jesus thirsty, and have it in our power to give Him drink. 

Below are two of my favorite charities, both working to bring water to impoverished nations. Hit a link and see how you can help. 

Compassion International's Water of Life

Ryan's Well -- building wells, teaching hygiene and health, and more!