What would the New Testament be like without the contributions of Luke, the beloved physician? He penned almost as much of the New Testament as the apostle Paul, with nearly as many words in his two books: Acts and the gospel of Luke. Ironically, Luke is mentioned only three times by name, each time by Paul. He never mentions his own name in his gospel account, where he does not appear, or in Acts, where he plays a major role. Luke admits in the opening verses of his gospel that he was not an eyewitness to the life of Christ, but carefully records what eyewitnesses reported to him and others. Little is known about Luke the man, which adds to the fascination surrounding this great and humble person. Every indication suggests he shunned the spotlight, focusing not on himself but on Christ and what Christ did through others. Luke, or Lukas, is an abbreviation of the Gentile name Loukanos, meaning white. In the biblical narrative, he appears suddenly among Paul's companions in Troas, where the language in Acts shifts to the first-person plural, indicating his presence. Luke is grouped with Gentiles assisting Paul in his travels and work. As a physician, he was highly educated, with a command of the Greek language unmatched by most New Testament writers, and his gospel is noted for its high literary quality. Luke served as Paul's personal beloved physician, tending to him after severe beatings, shipwrecks, and exposures that left Paul in need of medical care. His trained hands and caring presence likely helped prolong Paul's life. Luke also acted as Paul's assistant and secretary, remaining his sole companion during Paul's second Roman imprisonment, a time of deep devotion during Paul's darkest hours. In rare spare moments, Luke assembled stories about Christ, writing his gospel and later the Acts of the Apostles, possibly during Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea. His writing is vivid, with medical details and descriptions only an eyewitness could provide, though he humbly never mentions himself by name in Acts. Luke's gospel focuses on Christ the Man, providing detailed accounts of His birth, infancy, and childhood to show He was born, grew, and matured like any human. He depicts Jesus learning, eating, sleeping, weeping, and giving comfort, with parables that carry a human touch. Luke chronicles unique events, including five great exclamations of singing related to Christ's birth and early life, emphasizing the joy of the good news. As a humble Gentile, Luke shows a constant awareness of God's providence for His servants, revealing God's care and love for the sick and needy in his vivid stories. His work continues to inspire, reflecting his deep personal connection to the Savior he never met firsthand.