1 / 25

Understanding Jesus through the Gospels

Explore the foundation of Christianity through the four Gospels, discovering who Jesus is and why the messages are essential to believers. Learn about the unique characteristics, purposes, and structures of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Dive into the life and teachings of Jesus as witnessed by those who knew him, lived during his time, and shared his stories.

crystalr
Download Presentation

Understanding Jesus through the Gospels

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. How do we know what we know about Jesus? The four gospels

  2. The Life of our Lord • Witnessesinclude… • Those who saw & experienced him • Those who lived during his years… • … and his later appearances • Those who told stories about him and relayed Jesus’ teachings

  3. Why are they “Gospels”? • They are biographical, but more… they answer, “Who is Jesus?” • The message Jesus brings is good news to all who know of him • Good news = evangellion, a Greek phrase already in common use

  4. Common Structure for 3 • Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” • Syn= same; optic = seeing synoptic means “same seeing” • These 3 have similar content, while John has more unique material

  5. The Gospels in Worship • We read thru one gospel per year • Year A – Matthew (2017, 2020…) • Year B – Mark (2018, 2021…) • Year C – Luke (2019, 2022…) • Readings from John are often included during Lent and Easter

  6. Matthew (Levi) • This Gospel of 28 chapters was used more than any other during the early years • Why?Its early appearance, range of Jesus’ life, and clear teaching • Regular liturgical use on Sunday

  7. Characteristics • Conciseness • Messianic interest • Particularism and Universalism Jewish identity and for all nations • Ecclesiastical…for the church • Escatological…the end of things

  8. Purpose • Matthew explains how events in Jesus’ life fulfill O.T. prophecies • Matthew answers common questions about Jesus • Matthew preserves narratives into one cohesive account

  9. Structure • Matthew alternates large blocks of teaching with narrative sections • Each teaching section concludes with “When Jesus had finished these sayings…” • Groupings of 3’s, 5’s, and 7’s

  10. Outline Narratives interspersed with five discourses • Narrative then Sermon on the Mount • Narrative then Missionary • Narrative then Parables • Narrative then The Church • Narrative then Eschatological • Narrative of passion & resurrection

  11. Mark (John Mark) • The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God • A gospel in which the Gentiles learn essentials about Jesus • A Roman guard confesses Jesus as the Son of God in last chapter

  12. Characteristics • A gospel of action and movement • Mark’s candor in describing events even when it isn’t favorable • Mark gives us portraits of Jesus as Son of God, Son of Man, Healer, and Redeemer

  13. Purpose • Convey teaching about the end times, suffering, and resurrection • Explain Jesus’ Jewish connections and customs to Gentiles, so they could understand him as Messiah • Liturgical use in the churches

  14. Author & Ending • This gospel is likely the preaching and recalling of events of Peter • Mark was his interpreter among Gentiles, preserving his words • Some MSS end abruptly with 16:8, “…for they were all afraid.”

  15. Luke (the Physician) • This gospel has the most comprehensive range of Jesus’ life • This gospel is the longest book in the New Testament • The infancy narrative is one of the most familiar Bible passages

  16. Characteristics • Universalism — Gentiles included • Focus on individuals • Includes women, children, outcasts • Social relationships described • Poverty and wealth in contrast

  17. Special Emphases • Prayers of Jesus — Luke records nine of Jesus’ prayers (seven are only found in his gospel) • The Holy Spirit is seen as part of Jesus’ life and ministry • Joy is a recurring theme

  18. Purpose • To provide an orderly account, bringing theological significance to the history they were living through • Written for Theophilus, a real person, a Gentile believer • Show Jesus’ grace toward Gentiles

  19. Structure • All events are portrayed as a divine revelation, under God’s direction • A travel narrative tracks Jesus’ progress from Galilee to Jerusalem from Luke 9:51 to 18:14 • He set his face to go to Jerusalem

  20. Author • Luke says his role in writing is to preserve eyewitness accounts • The same author, Luke, wrote Acts The Acts of the Apostles • Luke has a clear connection with the Apostle Paul – the we sections

  21. John (the Apostle) • The last written of the four gospels • The most common gospel given for evangelism in modern times • The same author wrote 5 Books: Gospel of John, Epistles of John (1,2,3), and Book of Revelation.

  22. Characteristics • The place of the Old Testament • Teaching on the Holy Spirit • Great themes introduced: light, life, love, truth, abiding in God • The “I am” passages: bread, light, door, shepherd, life & resurrection

  23. Purpose • John’s stated purpose is so people can believe Jesus is the Christ, and have life in his name • This gospel has unusual appeal and effectiveness to help introduce people to Jesus

  24. Structure • Begins with one-of-a-kind prologue not found in other gospels • The first 12 chapters reveal Jesus’ glory to the world; the next 8 reveal his glory to the church • Use of kai, translated soor and

  25. Author • Describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” • Knows Palestinian geography, Jewish history, religious practices • Includes eyewitness details • Names the unnamed in gospels

More Related