“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David… (Luke 1:32)

Luke, the third Gospel chronicler and author also of the book of Acts, stands alone in his reference to God with the standalone title “the Most High.” Mark 5:7 shows a demon referring to “the Most High God,” and Hebrews 7:1 depicts Melchizedek as having been a priest of “the Most High God.” But Luke leaves off the term “God” and simply puts it “the Most High”—a seemingly small distinction, perhaps, but notable for our meditation.

This reference to God frequently (though not exclusively) is found in the Greek OT (the Septuagint in common use in the first century) where non-Jews are involved. Balaam, the pagan prophet, for example, when he was forbidden by God from cursing Israel, referred to Him as “the Most High” (Num 24:16). Moses, in reference to God’s sovereignty over all the nations, referred to Him as “the Most High” (Deut 32:8). In the NT, Luke is the only Gentile writer of the four gospel accounts, so it may not be surprising that he records this reference to God as “the Most High.” He is using the broadest concept of God that would communicate to his audience. Appealing primarily to a Greek audience, he communicates that the God about whom he writes is the highest of all concepts of God.

The Greek pantheon was filled with so-called gods, all ranked in order of power and influence. The one considered the highest changed from time to time, and the top spot depended on the attribute in consideration. Zeus was often considered the highest overall, but the other deities could overthrow him if he crossed them too much. Others had greater control in different areas. Roman gods were plentiful as well, with Apollo, Jupiter, Athena, etc. The Hindus have Vishnu, Devi, Shiva and multitudes of others. Islam has Allah (although many missionaries would say the term “Allah” simply means God, and was in use before Islam was born). Mormons have the plethora of gods, with ultimately all followers becoming gods of their own worlds.

Against all this, Luke writes of “the Most High.” Whatever the concept anyone has of deity or spiritual powers or the ultimate forces of the universe, the one Luke writes about is “the Most High.” There is nothing and no one higher that He. There is no force greater than this God. In fact, there is no other god. Christianity is all about Jesus Christ, the Son of the “Most High.” This is reality, this is the truth. Narrow-minded? Yes. Because it allows for no falseness. All other concepts of God are false. Only the Bible presents the “Most High.”

Lord, because You are the Most High, I humble myself before You as my Lord.