Matthew, Mark, Luke, And John :: essays research papers fc

Matthew, fool, Luke, and throneTheocentric Studies-Part I February 2, 1996The four Gospels are neither histories of the life of Christ nor biographies.They are portraits of the person and work of the long promised Messiah, Israels poof and the worlds Savior. As portraits they present four different poses ofone unique personality. Matthew by the Holy Spirit presents Christ as King,Mark as Servant, Luke as Man, and pot as immortal. Although featuring Christ as King,Matthew sketches His role as a King in closest connection with His character asServant, as Man, and as God (Matthew 1353-1930). Likewise, although featuringHim as Servant, Mark depicts Christs servant role in closest connection withHis character as King, Man and God (Mark 111-161-8). Similarly Luke focusesthe berth on Christ as Man and John as God, but like other evangelists theydo not separate Him from His full- orbed character (Luke 414-950, John 119-250). The four Gospels narrate, largely, the same things, but with somedifferences. Only Matthew and Luke tell of the Birth and childhood of Jesus(Matthew 114-91, Luke 15-413). Matthew and Mark dwell on the GalileanMinistry Luke, the Perean John, the Judean. John omits most of the GalileanMinistry, and records visits to Jerusalem that the others omit (Luke 951-1927).The others omit the Judean Ministry, except the Last Week, which in all four lotrather extensively. The Last Week occupies one-third of Matthew, approximatelyone-third of Mark, one-quarter of Luke, and one-half of John. John devotesseven chapters, about one-third of his book, to Crucifixion Day, sunset tosunset. Thus all four writers present the one and same Person the God-Man,Servant of the Lord, King of Israel, humanitys Redeemer. The special emphasisof Matthew is that Jesus is the Messiah foretold by Old Testament Prophets. Ashe quotes from the Old Testament repeatedly, he seems to have had Jewish readersin mind. Marks special emphasis is the Superhuman power of Jesus, bydemonstrat ing His Deity by His Miracles (Mark 114-91). Omits most of Jesuslectures. Narrates things Jesus did rather than things Jesus verbalise. Seems tohave had Gentile readers in mind. Lukes special emphasis is the humanity ofJesus. Representing Jesus as the Son of God. Luke features His kindness towardthe weak, the suffering and the outcast (Luke 951-1827). He seems to have hadthe Greeks, who represented culture, philosophy and wisdom, in mind. John placesspecial emphasis on the Deity of Jesus. Consists mostly of Jesus lectures andconversations. Discusses things Jesus said rather than things He did (John11-18). By describing the eternal pre-existence, human birth, death,