Introduction - Nothing is in contradiction in scripture. Some have concerns about the gospel books telling the same story but differing in parts. To understand this we must underst...
- Introduction - Nothing is in contradiction in scripture. Some have concerns about the gospel books telling the same story but differing in parts. To understand this we must understand the nature of those books. Each one was written to a specific audience to get a certain point across while it told the story of Jesus. Each one defines who he was from different views. Without all four, we would have an incomplete view of who Jesus was. We must also understand that these were never meant to be
in perfect unity. But instead, perfect harmony. Four is also a special number in that it is 3 + 1. Three refers to the Godhead which always was. What came after the Godhead is the plus one. That would be creation. Four is the number of creation. (There are four elements on earth - Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water). There are four corners of the earth (N,S,E,W). The gospel is God's creation; the physical embodiment of His plan of salvation.
- Harmony
not unity
- Soprano - Melody
- Alto - a higher note that stays in key with the melody
- Tenor - a slightly lower note following the cadence of the song
- Bass - a low tone that defines the cadence of the song
- All of these blend together to make a harmony even though each note is different. The same can be said of the four Gospels.
- Matthew portrays Jesus as the Messiah and King
- The author: Jewish tax collector. As an employee of the state he would have been trained in an official capacity for recording skills such as shorthand. Some theorize that he used Aramaic shorthand to pen Jesus' words, then transcribed them into his greek writing. This helps explain the detail given to Jesus' speech.
- Symbol: Lion (authority and strength)
- Geneology: Matthew 1 begins with Abraham (father of Israel) and shows Jesus as the son of David as prophesied
- Making his case:
- Daniel 9:25 - Predicts the coming of the Messiah the Prince (King)
- His birth - Matthew 1:22-23
- Where he came from - Matthew 4:13-15
- Healings - Matthew 8:16-17
- Teaching methods - Matthew 13:34-35
- His presentation as King - Matthew 21:1-5
- His capture - Matthew 26:51-56
- His price and it's use - Matthew 27:3-10
- Mark portrays Jesus as the Servant
- The author: Mark's house was apparently often used as a gathering place for the disciples according to Acts 12:12. Peter had an apparent close bond with him since he refers to him as a son in 1 Peter 5:13. Most likely it was Peter's first hand account that gave Mark the details contained in this book.
- Symbol: Bull/Ox (service and power)
- Geneology: Not recorded because a servant's lineage is of no importance
- Making his case:
- There are 18 miracles in Mark that show Jesus' compassion
- Teaching others to serve - Mark 9:33-37
- Proclaiming his servitude - Mark 10:42-45
- Chapters 1-10 focus on serving
- Chapters 11-16 focus on sacrifice (the ultimate service)
- Luke portrays Jesus as the Human
- The author: Luke appears to have been a greek servant to a Roman family and served as their physician (not the prominent position that it is now). He became a close companion to Paul and wrote both the book of Luke and Acts as a two part volume most likely to be used in the Roman courts in defense of Paul. They are addressed to a Theophilus who may have been part of the Roman court system.
- Symbol: Man (wisdom and character)
- Geneology: Luke 3 begins with Adam (father of mankind)
- Making his case:
- His birth - More exposition is given to his birth in Luke because this was how Jesus became flesh or man.
- The basic needs of man - Luke 9:57-58
- Suffering foreshadow - Luke 18:31-34
- John portrays Jesus as the Lord
- The author: John was the beloved apostle. Often referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He wrote this writing much later than the others which is more theological in nature. It focuses on the later part of Jesus' ministry when his following was dwindling.
- Symbol: Eagle (diety)
- Geneology: John 1:1 fulfills his geneology because he has always existed as Lord.
- Making his case:
- Gift from heaven - John 6:33-48
- Not of earth - John 8:23
- The voice of the burning bush - John 8:57-59
- He is Lord - John 13:13
- The only way - John 14:6
- Explaining truine - John 14:10; 20
- I AM again - John 18:4-8
- The Jews explain why Jesus must die - John 19:7
- Conclusion
- The four creatures around his throne convey this message of who he is - Ezekial 1:5-10; 10:14; Revelation 4:6-8
- They serve his throne forever always reminding us of who he is and what he did for us.
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