The Differences among Gospels Scholars call Mathew, Mark, and Luke synoptic gospels because these books present the reader with a biography of Jesus from an almost same narrative with close perceptions on Jesus life and ministry. Luke starts by dedicating the gospel of Luke to Theophilus by stating that he will record the life and ministry of Jesus (Ehrman 112). As I read the book of Luke I keep asking myself the validity of Luke. He was not present during Jesus birth but he narrates the story of Jesus explicitly. He even ties a connection between Jesus and John the Baptist, which was not recorded in other books. This makes me think that Luke based his research through an oral narration through a woman, probably Mary. This shows that Mary may have shared her miracle story of bearing a son while she was a virgin to Luke or maybe one of Luke’s primary sources. This is due to the fact that Luke traces Jesus lineage through Mary and not Joseph as a sign of respect and being thankful.
In chapter one and two of Luke, the author narrates both the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. Luke states that Jesus and John the Baptist were practically cousins, which is not stated in the other gospels. In addition, the birth of both Jesus and John the Baptist were announced by angel Gabriel. In the Lucan account, women are given authority in that the birth of Jesus is narrated by Mary. Mary sings a magnificent song after the birth of Jesus, which is not recorded in other accounts.
It is interesting to read the gospel and Luke and try to compare it with both Mark and Matthew. In Mark, Jesus death and resurrection symbolized the Day of Judgment where all Christians will be judged according to their activities on earth. On the other hand, Luke portrays Jesus death and resurrection as a new beginning for Christians because Jesus had died for their sins. The reason as to why this is interesting to me is due to the fact that Christians apply both Mark and Lucan concept of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In recent years, some Christians have become prominent in the idea of the world coming to an end especially in the past year. This means that Christians believe in the idea of the second coming of Christ, which is emphasized in Mark. In addition, Christians acknowledge the rise and death of Jesus annually, Easter, where they celebrate in that their sins have been taken away by God through the crucifixion of Jesus. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus life and death mark the end of times where Christians will be judged according to their action on earth. However, in the gospel of Luke, Jesus death and resurrection mark a new beginning for the human race where all their sins are cleansed. Therefore, Luke ties Jesus resurrection as the new beginning for the disciples to share the good news. This illustrates that the synoptic are a combo that Christians ought to acknowledge through following Jesus teachings.
This is insightful because it shows that Christians use all synoptic gospels to teach Jesus ways and teachings. This means that Christians do not discriminate against any book in the bible in that they value their unique teachings and their story about Jesus Ministry. Luke captures most of the life of Jesus by narrating both the birth and passion story of Jesus in great depth. In addition, Jerusalem is important in the ministry of Jesus because in Lucan account, Jesus parents took Jesus to the temple for circumcision. Thereafter, Jesus was taken to the temple at twelve years by his parents, where the teachers in the temples are amazed by the astonishing ideas and teaching of Jesus at a tender age. When Jesus was crucifies by the Roman soldiers, he orders the disciples to remain in Galilee as they await the Holy Spirit. According to Luke, it is significant to conclude that Jesus ministry was centered in Jerusalem as it was God’s plan. Jesus ascended in heaven while in Jerusalem. This factor symbolizes the fulfillment of ancient prophesy where divine power will be reigned in the city that David built.
John 20:11-18 is a narrative that records the story of resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. According to John, Mary Magdalene is the first person to witness an empty tomb where Jesus had been buried. Little did she know that the Messiah had resurrected from the dead in that Mary Magdalene believed that the body of Christ Jesus had been stolen. The Johannine account is unique compared to other gospels because the author explains that it was only Mary Magdalene who visited the tomb when Jesus had resurrected. Due to this uniqueness, I decided to explore and research as to why the gospel of John, unlike other gospel accounts, that it was only Mary Magdalene who went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Other gospel accounts write that Mary Magdalene had been accompanied by other people to visit the tomb where Jesus had been buried. This passage is insightful to many Christians because it shows the strength and power of faith in that Jesus had conquered death. In addition, this passage illustrates selfless love that God had for the human race such that he gave up his only son to die for our sins. This central idea indicates the fulfillment of prophesy in that Jesus had accomplished his mission. This passage impacts the understanding of Christian faith because it reflects that through Jesus believing in God, he was able to conquer death.
The resurrection narrative is an important passage to the Christian community. This is due to the fact that Christians celebrate Jesus defeat over death. To Christians, this has a deeper meaning in that it demonstrates that God’s spirit and power can overcome death. As a result, this shows God’s supremacy over all the superficial things in the world in that Christ overcomes death. Christian commemorate this event through celebrations in that God had given the world his only begotten son to die for the sins of the people. This illustrates an art of love and compassion that God has for his people in that Easter Sunday reveals a new beginning for everyone. A ray of hope is illuminated to the sinners in that Jesus death symbolizes a new beginning in that God cleanses one’s soul out of sin.
This passage also demonstrates faith and obedience as shown by Jesus in that he let God take over his life. God makes Jesus a sacrificial lamb despite of Him acknowledging that Jesus is His son. Through Jesus death, the church is born in that Jesus urges his followers to spread his ministry. Thus, through Christ’s death, church services are conducted and that one can choose to live their life through reflecting Jesus acts. Jesus was a form of example for the Christian community in that through his spiritual essence, he was elevated by God by having an eternal life. This is the main reason as to why Jesus defeats death. The act of obedience portrayed by Jesus is remarkable in that he was crucified like a soldier but did not complain to God. Instead, he prays to God to forgive the Roman individuals who cast him to face death. Thus, God rewards Jesus with an eternal life where he rises from the dead after three days.
Works Cited
Ehrman, Bart D.. A brief introduction to the New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.
