Compact
Until last week, I was confused about the Lunar Eclipse. I had never chosen to observe one, because a Lunar Eclipse occurs when the earth forms a shadow on the surface of the moon, right? Just like every day! Just like every monthly lunar cycle, right? Why get out of bed and watch the moon looking like it does at any given moment on any given night?
But I watched it.
And the difference is amazing. Rather than take a month for the shadow to traverse the moon, like usual, at a Lunar Eclipse the shadow moves across the moon in seven and a half minutes! I admit, shamefully, that I had never thought of that.
And that timing makes all the difference.
Luke wrote to Theophilus for the same reason. Sure, there were lots of reports, stories, and discussions about the life of the Messiah, Jesus. But now, because of Luke, Theophilus got to read it all in one brief, intense, powerful, focused sitting.
This is how God often speaks to us, His children. He teaches us, guides us, informs us constantly. But sometimes, in His Word particularly, He gives us a pointed, indisputable, brightly lit message.
And that makes all the difference.
We are peculiar, God’s message is compact.