Welcome to week 4 of our Continuing with Jesus series.

Our fourth lesson is around the first four books of the New Testament, known as the Gospels.

The Gospels include the books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and centre around the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The four Gospel books give a varying perspective and emphasis of Jesus life.

Matthew, a former tax collector, became one of Jesus’ disciples and gives a very Jewish perspective of the life of Jesus, quoting and connecting a lot more of the Old Testament writings and prophecies about Jesus than any other Gospel writer. He presents Jesus as the true and promised King the fulfilment of the promises of God throughout the Old Testament. Matthew places five blocks of teaching, throughout Jesus life and ministry narrative – pointing to Jesus being the true teacher of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible).  Jesus is shown as the Lion of Judah. The lion represents the overcoming of sin to set up and advance the Kingdom of God.

Mark, was a companion of Paul, but then later Peter and it is often viewed that his is a second hand account from Peter as his main source. His Gospel is the shortest and the most succinct, always flowing quickly from one account to the next. His is seen to be directed at the more Roman audience, a people of action and Mark presents Jesus the true representation of what it means to be human. In Mark, we see the rejection and suffering of Jesus, which gives the imagery of the suffering servant, the One who came not to be served, but to serve and give His life for the many. Jesus is shown as the Ox which represents the sacrifice of a servant willing to suffer.

Luke is another second-hand account of Jesus life. We know that Luke was a doctor and as such wrote with the thinking Greek in mind often giving a level of detail not seen in the other Gospels. His research would have come from a variety of sources it seems, though he did spend some time with Paul. The Gospel of Luke actually flows into the Acts of the Apostles which we will see in the next lesson connects Jesus ministry into the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. As such, Luke above all the other Gospels shows the role and significance of the Holy Spirit within the birth, life and ministry of Jesus. In Luke, Jesus is revealed as the Son of Man – we see the symbol of a man that represents intercession that removes sin and brings good fruit in God’s people.

Finally, we have the Gospel according to John. John was a disciple of Jesus and was the only one to not be martyred for his faith (though he did get boiled and exiled to the Island of Patmos). The other three Gospels are called synoptic Gospel, which present similar narratives and sequences in Jesus live. John wrote his Gospel last and to some degree adds in various details the others missed. 

But more prominently John points to the divinity of Jesus, revealing Jesus as the Son of God and using language we see in the first verse of Genesis to give insight into the fact that Jesus was the Word of God incarnate and has always been. In fact, John says that all things were created through Him. Jesus is the person of the Trinity Who became like us to reveal the Father to us and complete His mission. The claims that Jesus makes about Himself require a bold faith. John reveals Jesus as the eagle represents an over viewing perspective or judgement that reveals truth and shows those who are on God’s side.

The Gospel’s all together give an account of the life of Jesus, right from events preceding His birth right until His ascension into Heaven. Throughout the Gospels we see Jesus interactions with people, we see Jesus teachings often through parables and we see Jesus healing the sick and doing signs and wonders. All this, pointing to the fact that He, Jesus, is the Promised Messiah that the Old Testament spoke of. The One come to save His people from their sins.

The culmination of the Gospels is Jesus being falsely accused by the religious leaders of the Jews and sentenced to die by Roman crucifixion, taking upon Himself the sins of the world. However, sin and the power of death could not hold Him – Jesus rose from the dead! His victory gives us victory – if we simply choose to believe and put our trust in Him.

The Gospels should be a staple in every Christians life, as we explore we discover more and more. Who Jesus is, What He has done, What He taught and How we ought to live by following His example. Jesus promised with His leaving earth; Another was coming Who would bring fire and would see the start of the Church! But that’s for the next lesson!

Look up in the Old Testament Ezekiel 1:10; does this sound familiar in symbolic demonstration of how Jesus is revealed in the Gospels?

John 21:25 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". What would you like to know about Jesus?

Is it something that you can find out in the Gospels?

Non-Christian historical sources about Jesus existence: Click Here -> Be Thinking.org

Book Overviews of the Gospels -> Bible Project