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

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and JohnTheocentric 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 enormous promised Messiah, IsraelsKing and the worlds Savior. As portraits they present four different poses ofone anomalous personality. Matthew by the Holy Spirit presents Christ as King,Mark as handmaiden, Luke as public, and John as God. 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 handmaiden role in closest connection withHis character as King, Man and God (Mark 111-161-8). Similarly Luke focusesthe spotlight 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 thi ngs, but with somedifferences. Only Matthew and Luke separate of the Birth and childhood of the Nazarene(Matthew 114-91, Luke 15-413). Matthew and Mark remain on the GalileanMinistry Luke, the Perean John, the Judean. John ejects 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 all four spanrather extensively. The Last Week occupies one-third of Matthew, approximatelyone-third of Mark, one-quarter of Luke, and half of John. John devotesseven chapters, about one-third of his book, to Crucifixion Day, sunset tosunset. and then all four writers present the one and same Person the God-Man,Servant of the Lord, King of Israel, humanitys Redeemer. The special ferocityof Matthew is that saviour is the Messiah foretold by gaga Testament Prophets. Ashe quotes from the Old Testament repeatedly, he seems to swallow had Jewish readersin mind. Marks special emphasis is the Superhuman power of Jesus, bydemonstrating His Deity by His Miracles (Mark 114-91). Omits most of Jesuslectures. Narrates things Jesus did rather than things Jesus said. 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,