"His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him." Luke 2:33"Everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing." Luke 9:43"He went home, amazed at what had happened." Luke 24:12From start to finish, the book of Luke is filled with amazement. Throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, those who met him were astonished by their encounter, from the shepherds at the nativity to the disciples at the empty tomb. With careful attention to detail, Michael Card embarks on an imaginative journey through the Gospel of Luke. He introduces us to Luke the historian and imagines his life as a Gentile, a doctor and a slave. Card explores Luke?s compelling account of this dynamic rabbi who astounded his hearers with parables and paradoxes. What might Luke have experienced as he interviewed eyewitnesses of Jesus? What leads Luke to focus on the marginalized and the unlikely? Why does Luke include certain details that the other Gospel writers omit? Join Michael Card in the work of opening heart and mind to the "Gospel of Amazement."

In a career that spans 30 years, Michael Card has recorded over 31 albums, authored or co-authored over 24 books, hosted a radio program, and written for a wide range of magazines. An award-winning musician and performing artist, he has penned such favorites as "El Shaddai," "Immanuel" and many other songs. He has branched his ministry beyond music and written numerous books, including A Sacred Sorrow, A Violent Grace, The Parable of Joy and Sleep Sound in Jesus (a children's book). He has also written the Biblical Imagination Series, with a book and accompanying music CD for each of the four gospels. A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's and master's degree in biblical studies, Card also serves as mentor to many younger artists and musicians, teaching courses on the creative process and calling the Christian recording industry into deeper discipleship. Card lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children.

Preface: The Biblical ImaginationIntroduction: Who Is Luke?A Companion of PaulNot an EyewitnessA DoctorPerhaps a SlaveA GentileMajor ThemesLuke 1A Self-Conscious WriterParallel Pre-Birth StoriesMary SingsZechariah SingsLuke 2The King in a Cattle TroughThe Line Between Old and NewThe Boy Who Would Be MessiahLuke 3The Doleful Days of TiberiusThe Voice of a Slave in the WildernessThe Baptism of JesusThe Genetics of JesusLuke 4The Son in the DesertGood News for the Poor"Be Muzzled"The Reluctant HealerLuke 5The First Miraculous CatchA Practical SecretThe Healing Faith of FriendsParadoxical UnorthodoxyWedding Guests and New WineLuke 6Lord Over OrthodoxyThe Choice of the TwelveThe Shape of the New CommunityThe Impossible CommandHow to Build Your House in the KingdomLuke 7How to Amaze JesusA Meeting of the CrowdsA Most Remarkable QuestionMoving from the Head to the HeartLuke 8The WomenThe Parable of the SoilsA Demonic StormA Demonized ManThe Healing of Two DaughtersLuke 9A First ForayThe Miracle Behind the MiracleA Final Clarity: Who Jesus IsConfirmation from the FatherThe Impotence of UnbeliefThe Final Journey BeginsLuke 10The Sending of the SeventyThe Joy of JesusA Parable of Unexpected MercyA Monumental ShiftLuke 11A Breath of a PrayerThe Finger of GodThe Sign of the Son of ManThe Prophet at the Dinner TableLuke 12What to Fear and What Not to FearI?ll Say to Myself, "Self . . ."The Treasure Chest of the HeartThe Slaving SaviorFire on the EarthLuke 13A Commentary on the "Job Equation"The Unexpectedly Closed DoorThree Days OutLuke 14A Not Unfriendly DinnerThe Heart of the Master of the BanquetFaith Over FamilyLuke 15The Shepherd with the Lost SheepThe Woman with the Lost CoinThe Father with the Lost Son(s)Luke 16The Parable of the Desperate ManagerThe Line Has Been CrossedA Parable of Radical ReversalLuke 17Simple, Trusting ObedienceThe Perfect PrayerThe Coming(s) of the KingdomLuke 18Persistence and JusticeThe Perfect Prayer, 2One Broken LinkThe Perfect Prayer, 3Luke 19A Paradigm for a New Value SystemA Blueprint for Centuries to ComeA Tearful EntryThe Second Temple CleansingLuke 20Six Trick Questions1 By Whose Authority?2 John?s Baptism: From Heaven or Humans?3 What Will the Owner Do?4 Pay Taxes or Not?5 Whose Wife Will She Be?6 How Can Christ Be David?s Son?Luke 21A Widow Offers Her LifeTwo Questions, Two AnswersA Lesson from the LeavesLuke 22For the Price of a SlaveThe Servant SaviorThe Sifting of SimonAn Unsuccessful AngelThe Traitor?s KissThe GazeThe Early-Morning HearingLuke 23The Innocence of Jesus: PilateThe Innocence of Jesus: HerodBarabbas!The God-Forsaken GodThe Death of JesusThe WitnessesLuke 24No ExpectationsRecognized by the Broken BreadThe Persistence of Doubt