The book of Judges ends with a crazy story, one I wouldn’t believe if it wasn’t written in the Bible:

A gang of men brutally rape and murder a woman while she’s passing through their town. Her cowardly husband dismembers her body and send parts throughout the nation. Men from across the country, incensed at this horrible crime, gather to punish the evildoers (from every town save one). In the meantime, the clan of the perpetrators gathers in their defense. A bloody civil war ensues, producing tens of thousands of casualties. The defending tribe is overwhelmed and nearly wiped out. Now mourning the imminent loss of one of the tribes of Israel, the leaders of the victorious clans search for wives for the survivors (having previously killed all their innocent women and children). First they march to the town that failed to turn out earlier and put everyone to the sword, except the virgin women. When this fell short of the quota, they allowed the remaining single men to kidnap brides from a nearby festival. Problem solved. Then they all went home.

Judges chronicles a society rapidly devolving. The author comments, In those days Israel had no king; everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

I like the idea of doing whatever I want whenever I want to do it. However, as this story illustrates, absolute freedom fails to bring out the best in human nature. Despite the appeal, freedom without limits eventually leads to chaos. The strong dominate the weak and innocent people suffer.

The Israelites yo-yoed between the ways of the Lord and living as they saw fit. The stories recorded in Judges, as bizarre as they read, remain strong examples of how the way of the self results in chaos, while following the Lord leads to flourishing.

Judges 19-21 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jackson Simmer

Luke addressed both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts to an unknown gentleman named Theophilus:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Who was this most excellent Theophilus? One theory holds him as a Jewish priest, who Luke was trying to convince of the truth about Jesus. Another postulates Theophilus as a Roman lawyer working with Paul, and the writings serve as evidence of Paul’s innocence under Roman law. Others see this as simply as honorary title, not referring to an individual, but a group of people. Theophilus in Greek means friend of God, so perhaps Luke addressed like-minded believers in his introduction.

But another theory makes the most sense to me. Theophilus was likely a Roman official of some kind (thus the address of most excellent) who came to faith in Jesus and supported the work of Luke and Paul. This patron helped Paul and Luke and other missionaries fulfill their calling to carry the gospel as far as possible. So Luke sends an update of the incredible works of God to a generous donor.

Christianity is a missionary religion, and we’re called to support the outreach efforts of our day. Whether we possess a little or a lot, we give to spread the good news of Jesus, and in doing so gain the title most excellent.

Luke 1 & Acts 1 in Through the Bible in 2023

Photo by Christine Roy

A couple of days ago I went outside my office to experience the solar eclipse. Only a partial eclipse here in Colorado, but the low light was cool, along with the crescent-shaped shadows under the trees. People from the neighboring bank and physical therapy office milled around, and one lady brought a pair of solar glasses. We all took turns viewing the sun and moon greeting in the sky.

A well-meaning viewer warned me not to stare at the sun. Which is a good tip, until you actually try to look at the sun. A bit of a second and you turn away—it’s just too bright. Unless you’re high on peyote you don’t want to linger.

I thought of the eclipse while reading the story of Samson’s parents. A childless couple, an angel visited and announced the coming birth of their son. Overjoyed, Samson’s father (Manoah) asked of the angel, What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?

It’s odd to think that men hanging on crosses could have a conversation. Crucifixion was a brutal, horrific process that took anywhere from several hours to several days to bring about death. Borrowing the practice from earlier civilizations, the Romans rarely applied crucifixion to their own citizens, reserving it for slaves, disgraced soldiers, foreigners and Christians.

In the midst of their suffering, the criminals on either side of Jesus spoke up. One hurled insults, but the other rebuked him. Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.

The repentant thief then gasped, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. To which Jesus answered, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Months earlier, after a meal in the house of Zacchaeus the tax collector, Jesus shared one of the reasons he came to this earth: for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

With his last few breaths, Jesus saved a lost thief. One more stranded soul guided into paradise. Jesus still seeks and saves anyone who turns to him with humility, who regardless of background seeks the Savior.

He’s working all the way to the end.

Luke 23 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Dylan McLeod