Why are there four gospels? To give us four distinct views of our Lord Jesus.
What is the leading thought in each?
We can find the answer in each introduction. Matthew presents Him as Son of David — Heir to the throne of Israel, and Son of Abraham — the One to whom all the promises belong. Matthew 1:11The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1).
Mark presents Him as Servant Son. As the servant He has no genealogy. We do not get His birth recorded, it begins with Him about thirty years of age. Mark 1:99And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. (Mark 1:9)
John presents Him as Son of God. God manifest in flesh. John 1:11In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) goes back to eternity, before time began. “In the beginning was the Word” — eternal existence; “and, the Word was with God” — distinct personality; “and the Word was God” — absolute Deity. John 1:1414And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) is His beginning in time.
Each gospel though giving prominence to Him in its own special character also speaks of Him in all the other characters.
Will it not help us in our study of the Word to observe this? We must not try to harmonize them. God has written them differently to bring distinctions before us.
He has used different writers but He held their pens, so that we might know and feed upon the Lord in these different characters. It is wisdom therefore to mark the differences so that we may learn of Him.
Another thing is right to notice. We must not study the Scriptures as we would men’s books to catch their meaning but rather feed upon the Word, and that with a prayerful meditation, that God, who has given us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, may by His Spirit teach us of His beloved Son. Let us remember as 2 Peter 3:1818But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) says, that growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ go together. It is not by our studying but by God’s teaching that we are to know the things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1212Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:12).
If in our study together what is printed is not plain or in enough detail, questions might be asked by letter, and help be given by those the Lord has taught more fully.
We might take up Matthew’s Gospel in our next paper. Please read carefully and with prayer the first chapters so that our minds may be more familiar with the text. Some complain of having poor memories, but reading the Word often is an immense help.
(To be continued.)