Christ—4 Gospels

~ Jesus Christ Is Messiah, Servant, Son of Man, Son of God, and Much More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).  The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

The Word Gospel  ~  It is commonly understood that the word Gospel means “Good News.”  In Scripture it refers specifically of the good news of Jesus Christ—The Messiah. 

There are some critically important aspects of the New Testament term Gospel.  1. It costs you nothing—it cost The Messiah His human life.  2. You can do nothing to earn it or improve it.  The Good News is that it is “done” and you do not have to “do” anything except accept the free gift God offers you.  3) It is strictly an aspect of the grace of God, and finally, 4) properly understood it demands everything (your heart, soul, allegiance, etc. to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords). 

important note:  I can categorically say that there is no Christianity without The Gospel! 

Fortunately God in His grace has provided on-going forgiveness as we fail from time-to-time while on earth.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). 

Overview Of The Four Gospels  ~  Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called The Synoptic Gospels since they cover very similar material—covering parallel historic accounts.  Together they stress the humanity of Jesus Christ—the outward, earthly side of Him.  John on the other hand has been called The Fourth Gospel since it occurs fourth sequentially in Scripture and is the most different.  John stresses the deity of Jesus Christ—the inward, heavenly side of Him.  In summary, the overall clarity regarding the life of Christ is given to us by four of His contemporaries telling His story from their four personalities and perspective (a wonderful reality—since if they were all identical one would suspect collusion between the four). 

Christ in The Four Gospels   ~  Together they tell one story—but each with its own nuances.  If we were missing any one of the four we would have a less complete picture of Jesus Christ—The Messiah.  Consider some of the differences between the Gospels in the comparisons below:     

Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus Christ as the King—The Messiah.   

Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus Christ as Servant—full of action.

Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus Christ as Man—the Son of Man.

John’s Gospel presents Jesus Christ as the God-Man—Son of God.

Matthew’s emphasis is on what He thought and what He said. 

Mark’s emphasis is on what He did.

Luke’s emphasis is on what He felt. 

John’s emphasis is on what He was. 

Matthew is about His Kingdom and the way of righteousness. 

Mark is about His humanity and the way of suffering.

Luke is about His ministry and the way of wisdom.

John is about His deity and the way of love.

Matthew presents the King of Israel.

Mark presents the servant of the Word.

Luke presents the Son of Man.

John presents the Son of God.

Matthew shows His sovereignty—reigning and ruling.

Mark shows His humility—serving and suffering.

Luke shows His humanity—sharing and sympathizing. 

John shows His deity—Savior redeeming fallen man.

Matthew appeals to the Hebrew mind (Jesus, Son of Abraham).

Mark appeals to the Roman mind (action, no genealogy). 

Luke appeals to the Greek mind (Jesus, Son of Adam). 

John appeals to the Church in this present age (Jesus, Son of God).

Matthew begins with The Messiah’s genealogy—His credentials as Messiah.

Mark begins with no genealogy—not necessary for a servant.

Luke begins with Adam—in keeping with his humanity theme.

John begins with eternity past—in sync with His divine nature. 

Matthew ends with The Messiah’s resurrection—the crowning proof of His Messiahship.

Mark ends with The Messiah’s ascension—exalted with glory and honor.

Luke ends with The Holy Spirit—a promised Comforter for man.

John ends with The Messiah’s Second Coming—The Messiah’s promised return.

Matthew presents David’s Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15).

Mark presents Jehovah’s servant, the Branch (Zechariah 3:8).

Luke presents the man who’s name is The Branch (Zechariah 6:12).

John presents The Branch of Jehovah (Isaiah 4:2).

Matthew pictures the Royal Lawgiver (Matthew 28:18-20).

Mark pictures the Mighty Worker (Mark 16:16-20).

Luke pictures the Friend of Man (Luke 24:50-53).

John pictures the Son of God (John 20:28-31).

Matthew portrays the Prophesied King.

Mark portrays the Obedient Servant.

Luke portrays the Perfect Man.

John portrays the Divine Son.

Matthew’s approach and style is that of a teacher.

Mark’s approach and style is that of a preacher.

Luke’s approach and style is that of a writer.

John’s approach and style is that of a theologian.

The Gospel by Matthew is characterized by outstanding sermons.

The Gospel by Mark is characterized by outstanding miracles.

The Gospel by Luke is characterized by outstanding parables.

The Gospel by John is characterized by outstanding doctrines. 

Matthew’s prominent idea is the Law.

Mark’s prominent idea is power.

Luke’s prominent idea is grace. 

John’s prominent idea is glory.

Conclusion  ~   “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Messiah, 268

~ Messiah Would Enter On A Foal Of A Donkey ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

The Messiah 

“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Loose them and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,” and immediately he will send them.’  All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’  So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.  They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them.  And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  Hosanna in the highest!’  And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’  So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Matthew 21:1-11). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 29

~ The Israelites Were Commanded to Fear God, 22 ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.  Serve the Lord!  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .