The New Testament has four Gospels, four records of the life of Jesus. The first three — Matthew, Mark and Luke — are remarkably similar. But John, while telling the same story, gives us an entirely new angle on the life of Jesus.
All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, suffering, death and resurrection in a unique way, to a unique audience. Each highlights different aspects of Jesus’ life. Matthew shows us how Jesus brings the reign of God to earth. Mark portrays Jesus moving rapidly from one event to the next, healing and teaching. Luke provides an orderly account for Jews to use when catechizing Gentiles. John proclaims the truth of who Jesus is: God in the flesh, come to redeem the world.
As a composer uses harmonizing strains to form one grand piece of music, so also the Gospels create a full picture of Jesus, each one with its unique tone. Yet even though there are four Gospels, there is only one Jesus. And that’s what the April issue of The Lutheran Witness is all about: the one Jesus who comes to suffer and die for the world.
SUBSCRIBE to LW today at cph.org/witness, and learn how each of the Gospels displays a distinct and glorious facet of the life of Jesus Christ.
Enjoy web-exclusive stories and a selection of articles from the print magazine at witness.lcms.org.
Posted April 16, 2021
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