What Jesus Is All about: Meet the Man Whose Life--And Death--Changed the Course of History (Paperback)

Chapter One

The Gospels Portray Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Lord

Dr. Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), Presbyterian minister and professor of English literature at Princeton, said:

If four witnesses should appear before a judge to give an account of a certain event, and each should tell exactly the same story in the same words, the judge would probably conclude, not that their testimony was exceptionally valuable, but that the only event which was certain beyond a doubt was that they had agreed to tell the same story. But if each man had told what he had seen, as he had seen it, then the evidence would be credible. And when we read the four Gospels, is not that exactly what we find? The four men tell the same story each in his own way.

The word "gospel" is derived from the two Anglo-Saxon words: "God," meaning "good," and "spell," meaning "tidings" or "history." The four writers of the Gospels are called evangelists; "evangelist" comes from a Greek word meaning "bringer of good tidings." The first three Gospels-Matthew, Mark and Luke-are called the Synoptic Gospels, because they closely follow each other in order of events. The word "synopsis" is derived from the two Greek words meaning "a view together, a collective view." Therefore, these three Gospels are striking in their similarities.

While the Synoptics focus on Christ's ministry in Galilee, John's Gospel stands in a class by itself. John hones in on Christ's ministry in Judea. The Synoptics narrate Christ's miracles, parables and addresses to the multitudes. John presents Christ's deeper and more abstract discourses, His conversations and His prayers. The three Synoptic Gospels portray Christ in action. John portrays Him in meditation and communion.

The most important fact proclaimed in all the Gospels is that Christ is here! The promised One has come! The One whom all the prophets have foretold, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Every prophet in the Old Testament assured God's Chosen People again and again that a Messiah would come who would be the King of the Jews. The people looked forward with passionate longing and patriotism to the coming of that King in pomp and power:

The one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus (John 1:45).

However, we will find Him infinitely more beautiful in person than in any prophet's vision of Him.

We read in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." The name "Immanuel" means "God with us." This is the One the evangelists tell us about. The Gospels present Jesus in our midst. John says:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (1:14).

Think of it: God's coming down to live with people! It seems the Gospels are the center of the whole Bible. All that the prophets have said leads us to our Lord's earthly life and work; and all that follows in the Epistles proceeds from them. The Gospels are the source. Also notice where the four Gospels are placed. They stand at the close of the Old Testament and before the Epistles.

The Gospels tell us when and how Christ came.

The Epistles tell us why and for what Christ came.

What Is the Gospel?

"Gospel" means "good news." The good news concerning Jesus, the Son of God, is given to us by four writers-Matthew, Mark, Luke and John-although there is only one gospel, the glad story of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. When we speak of the Gospel of Luke, we are speaking of the good news of Jesus Christ as recorded by Luke. From the earliest times, the term "Gospel" has been applied to each of the four narratives that record the life of Christ.

No doubt, the good news originally was not presented in written form. Men went from one place to another, telling the glad story by word of mouth. After a while, a written record was necessary. More than one person attempted this, with no success:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4).

There is only one gospel but with four presentations that give us different angles of the story of Christ. The combined Gospel records set forth a personality rather than a connected life story.

Why Four Gospels?

As everyone knows, there are four Gospels. But why four? Why wouldn't one straightforward, continuous narrative have been enough? Wouldn't one account have been simpler and clearer? Wouldn't it have saved us from some of the difficulities in what some have said are conflicting accounts?

The answer seems plain: One or two accounts would not have given us a sufficient portrayal of the life of Christ. There are four distinct offices of Christ portrayed in the Gospels. He is presented as King (in Matthew), servant (in Mark), Son of man (in Luke) and Son of God (in John).

It is true that each of the four Gospels has much in common with the others. Each one deals with Christ's earthly ministry, His death and resurrection, and His teachings and miracles; but each Gospel has unique aspects as well. At once we see that each of the writers is trying to present a different picture of our Lord.

Matthew deliberately adds to his account what Mark omits. In fact, there is a lack of completeness about Jesus' life history in any one of the four Gospels. Read what John says:

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (21:25).

Deliberate gaps exist that none of the evangelists professes to fill. For instance, all omit any account of the 18 years of Christ's life between the ages of 12 and 30.

Although each Gospel is complete in itself, each is very selective. Only a few of His miracles are described and only a portion of His teachings are given. Each evangelist has recorded that which is relevant and pertinent to his particular theme.

By seeing more than one perspective we better understand the whole picture. In the National Gallery in London, there are three representations on a single canvas of Charles I. In one picture, his head is turned to the right; in another, his head is turned to the left; and in the other, we find the full-face view. Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641), the Flemish painter, painted them for Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), the Roman sculptor, to help Bernini make a bust of the king. By combining the three impressions, Bernini would be better able to produce a "speaking" likeness. One view would not have been enough.

It may be true that the Gospels were intended to serve the very purpose that these portraits served. Each Gospel account presents a different aspect of our Lord's life on Earth. Together we have the complete picture. He is the King, but He is also the perfect servant. He is the Son of man, but we must not forget that He is the Son of God.

There are four Gospels with one Christ, four accounts with one purpose and four sketches of one person.

Dr. William H. Griffith Thomas (1861-1924), American New Testament scholar, gives the pictures of the Gospels in this way:

Matthew is concerned with the coming of a Promised Savior.

Mark is concerned with the life of a Powerful Savior.

Luke is concerned with the grace of a Perfect Savior.

John is concerned with the possession of a Personal Savior.

Where Is Jesus in the Gospels?

If we master the outline of Jesus as King, servant, Son of man, and Son of God, we will be familiar with the contents of the Gospels for life.

All the Gospels are bound up with the promises of the Messiah in the Old Testament; the Gospels cannot be explained apart from the great messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The prophets provided a magnificent picture of the Messiah. They told of His offices; His mission; and His birth, suffering, death, resurrection and glory. Let us consider some of the names and titles the prophets bestowed upon Him, as well as the main theme of each Gospel.

The King Christ Jesus

Matthew presents Jesus as King. This Gospel was written primarily for the Jews, because Christ is the Son of David. His royal genealogy is listed in Matthew 1:1-17. In Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, we have the manifesto of the King, which contains the laws of His kingdom.

These passages, among many others, tell of the kingly office of the Messiah: 2 Samuel 7:13-14; Psalm 72; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 9:9; 14:9. The prophets tell us about His kingdom and its extent, and of Christ's ultimate triumph.

The Servant Christ Jesus

Mark depicts Jesus as servant. This Gospel was written to the Romans; and there is no genealogy. Why? People are not interested in the genealogy of a servant. More miracles are found here than in any other Gospel. The Romans cared little for words and far more for deeds.

These passages reflect the servant of Jehovah: Isaiah 42:17; 52:13-15; 53.

The Man Christ Jesus

Luke sets forth Jesus as the perfect man. This Gospel was written to the Greeks and tells how Jesus' genealogy goes back to Adam, the first man, instead of beginning with Abraham, as did the Gospel written to the Jews. As a perfect man, Jesus is seen much in prayer and with angels who minister to Him.

He is called "Immanuel," which means "God with us" (2 Sam. 7:14-16)-the "offspring" who would defeat Satan (Gen. 3:15); bring blessing and salvation to all nations (see Gen. 22:18); and establish an everlasting Kingdom (see 2 Sam. 7:14-16). Additional verses that reflect the Son of man include Psalm 8:4 (compare this to Hebrews 2:5-9) and Daniel 7:13.

The God-Man

John portrays Jesus as the Son of God. Written to all who will believe, with the purpose of leading people to Christ (see John 20:31), everything in this Gospel illustrates and demonstrates His divine relationship. The opening verse carries us back to the beginning of creation.

Jesus is called God or Lord in the following verses: Isaiah 9:6; 40:3-5; 47:4; Jeremiah 23:6.

What Types of People Today Are Like the People in Jesus' Day?

Christ was presented to widely different types of people who made up the world. Each group of people was capable of appreciating one particular kind of presentation more than another. Additionally, the four groups of people in Jesus' day represent four types of people today.

Jewish People

The Jewish people had special training. They were steeped in the Old Testament Scripture and the prophets. Matthew wrote the story of Jesus' life, especially for these people. If Jewish people were to be impressed with Jesus, they would need to be taught by someone who understood their customs and way of thinking. Jewish people needed to know that Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament. Over and over again we read: "And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet" (Matt. 2:15).

We have the same type of people today. They revel in prophecies fulfilled and unfulfilled. They seek to know what the prophets spoke and how the prophecies were brought to pass.

Romans

Mark wrote especially for the Romans, masters of the world at that time. The Romans knew nothing about Old Testament Scripture. They were not interested in prophecy being fulfilled, yet they were vitally concerned about a remarkable leader who had appeared in Palestine-Jesus. He claimed more than ordinary authority and possessed extraordinary powers. They wanted to hear more about this Jesus-what sort of a person He really was, what He said and what He had done.

The Romans liked Mark's straightforward message. To advance the story rapidly, the word "and" is used in Mark 1,375 times (KJV). Mark's Gospel moves on in a beauty and force all its own. It is filled with deeds, not words. Clearly it is the Gospel of the ministry of Christ.

The Romans of Jesus' day were like today's average businesspeople. Men and women in the marketplace are not concerned at first about the genealogy of a king but with a God who is able-a God who can meet a person's every need. Mark is the businessperson's Gospel.

Greeks

Luke, the Greek doctor, wrote for the people of his own country, who were lovers of beauty, poetry and culture. The Greeks lived in a world of large ideas. Their tastes were fastidious. The Gospel of Luke tells of the birth and childhood of Jesus. It gives the inspired songs connected with the life of Christ. We find the salutation of Elizabeth when Mary visited her (see Luke 1:42-45). We hear the song of the virgin mother (see vv. 46-55). Even Zechariah burst into praise when speech was restored to him (see vv. 68-79). At the Savior's birth, a chorus of angel voices rang out (see Luke 2:13-14), and then the shepherd's song of praise to God was heard (see v. 20).

The Greeks of Jesus' day were like today's students and idealists who are seeking after truth, for they believe that truth is the means to happiness.

All People

John's Gospel is written for all people everywhere so that they might believe that Jesus is the Christ. John portrayed Christ as the Son of God. This Gospel is filled with extraordinary claims that attest to Jesus' divine character and mission.

The "all people" of John's day were like the masses today who need Christ. They include anyone who will believe on the Lord Jesus because they have a sense of need and want to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord.

What Are the Keys to the Gospels?

Front-Door Keys

God has hung the key to the Gospel of Matthew right over the entrance. The book opens: "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham" (Matt. 1:1). This shows Jesus' covenant position as the Son of Abraham (see Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:16) and His royal position as the Son of David.

Matthew presents Christ as King; he gives the royal genealogy in the first 17 verses. A king is not chosen by popular ballot but by birth.

Turn now to Mark and see how this book opens.

Continues...