Hello sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … Matthew 2-4, Luke 2:39-Luke 5, Mark 1 and John 1:15-John 4
How sweet is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! This theme, “God’s Greatest Gift,” feels like a breath of fresh air. Jesus is the end of our wandering, striving, seeking and worrying. Jesus is redemption, peace and eternal security for our souls. Jesus is the perfection of the Garden of Eden residing in our hearts. Jesus changes everything, Jesus is God’s greatest gift.
As we dive into the gospel accounts, let’s take a minute to understand how these 4 books work together to paint a complete picture of the birth, life, miracles, healing ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dr. Mears offers some wonderful insight on this topic:
There is only one Gospel – the glad story of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. But we are given 4 pictures of Christ. The combined Gospels represent a personality rather than a connected story of a life. There are 4 Gospels with 1 Christ, 4 Accounts with 1 purpose and 4 sketches of 1 person.
1. Matthew portrays Christ as King. This Gospel was written primarily for the Jew, for Jesus is the Son of David. Matthew is concerned with the coming of a Promised Savior. Jewish people were steeped in Old Testament Scripture and needed to know that Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament. The Gospel of Matthew might most appeal to modern day intellectuals.
2. Mark portrays Christ as servant. This Gospel was written primarily for the Romans. Mark is concerned with the grace of a Powerful Savior. The Romans were the masters of the world at that time, they were vitally concerned with a remarkable leader who had appeared in Judea. Mark is filled with more deeds of Christ than words of Christ. It is the Gospel of the ministry of Christ. The Gospel of Mark might most appeal to the modern day businessman.
3. Luke portrays Christ as the Son of Man, the perfect man. Luke is concerned with the grace of a perfect Savior. This Gospel was written for the Greeks who were lovers of beauty, poetry and culture. The Greeks lived in a world of large ideas. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is often seen in prayer with angels ministering to Him. Luke includes inspired songs connected with the life of Christ. The Gospel of Luke might most appeal to modern day idealists.
4. John portrays Christ as the Son of God. This Gospel was written for people everywhere so that they might believe that Jesus is the Christ. John is concerned with the possession of a Personal Savior. Written to all who will believe, with the purpose of leading people to Christ, this Gospel demonstrates and illustrates Christ’s relationship to God as God. John is filled with extraordinary claims that prove Jesus’ divine character and mission. The Gospel of John might most appeal to the modern day masses in desperate need of Christ.
(“What the Bible is All About)
Like watching an artists’ brush on the canvas, the beautiful picture of Christ is becoming clear in my heart and mind.
Christ is the King. Christ is a servant. Christ is the son on man. Christ is the perfect man. Christ is the son of God. Christ is God. Christ is the fulfillment of a promised Savior. Christ is perfect grace balanced with power. Christ is a personal Savior. Christ came for all, none are excluded from His love. Christ reaches out to each heart. Christ is humility and might. Christ is God’s Greatest Gift to a broken world. He is our rescuer and He is here! Praise God!
Love you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
