In this article we take a bit closer look at the four Gospels – the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. As mentioned in a previous article, these four books are not addressed directly to the Christian Church today. However, realizing that does not mean that the four Gospels are not important. Far from it.
It is these four books that give us the details of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ while he was on the earth. They give us much Biblical teaching that is referred to in the seven Church Epistles. Have you ever asked yourself why there are four? Why did God have four separate records written about the ministry of Jesus Christ? A closer look at the scriptures reveals the answer to this question.
In the Old Testament, there are many references to the coming of a Messiah that would save Israel. There is much stated as to exactly what the Messiah would do. There is also information revealed as to the nature of the ministry that the Messiah would have. The following four major aspects are recorded.
In Jeremiah, we are told that the coming Messiah would be a King (Jeremiah 23:5). The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes this aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is only in this Gospel that the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” is used. The genealogy of Jesus Christ in this Gospel is traced through David and Solomon. He is referred to as the “son of David” more in this Gospel than in any other.
In Zechariah, we are told that the coming Messiah would be a servant (Zechariah 3:8). The Gospel that emphasizes this aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ is Mark. A servant would not have a genealogy and in fact there is none recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus Christ is referred to as “Lord” seventy-three times in the Gospels – only three of these are in Mark. The Gospel of Mark emphasizes how Jesus Christ was willing to serve and help his fellow man.
The Book of Zechariah also tells us that the coming Messiah would be a man (Zechariah 6:12). The Gospel that emphasizes this aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ is the Gospel of Luke. The genealogy that is traced in the Gospel of Luke goes back to Adam – the first man. There are eleven parables in the Gospel of Luke that especially emphasize the human aspect of the walk of Jesus Christ on the earth. He is depicted in this Gospel as a friend of publicans and sinners.
The Book of Isaiah tells us that the coming Messiah would be the Son of God (Isaiah 4:2). Clearly the Gospel that emphasizes this is the Gospel of John. There are many references in this Gospel to Jesus Christ’s being the Son of God. In fact, It Is Written in this Gospel that “these (the words in the Book of John) are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” (John 20:31).
One single book could not have comprehensively recorded the multi-faceted nature of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Each of the Gospels uniquely declare the various aspects that the Word of God itself said the ministry of the Messiah would exhibit. Matthew shows him as the King, Mark as the man, Luke as the servant and John as the Son of God. When you read the Gospels, look for this wonderful Godly design and notice how the complete picture of Jesus Christ’s ministry may only be seen through the window of all four of these books.