Chapter 6.

The Preambles

To the 4 Gospels

 

All four Gospels begin with a verbal salute to the greatest Man ever to live on planet Earth. 

 

Mark was characteristically terse.  In a few words, he noted that Jesus was not an ordinary man.  No.  He was the Son of God clothed in human form.  He was, and is, the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, promised in the holy, Old Testament Scrolls.  Mark introduced his tract with these words ...

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God ...  (Mark 1:1 KJV)

 

In his Gospel tract, the Apostle Matthew persistently emphasized that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.  He noted that Jesus’ existence, Words and deeds fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.  So, he began his Gospel by demonstrating that Jesus was a descendant of Abraham and King David.  He wrote ...

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

(Matthew 1:1 NIV)

 

Luke was certain that Jesus’ Messages and actions were of infinite importance.  He endeavored to record a clear history of Jesus’ time on Earth.  And, as a learned physician dedicated to interviewing those who were eye-witnesses of the life of Jesus Christ, he wrote a splendid tract with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  He addressed his Gospel to a man called “Theophilus”, a close friend.  But, that appellation means “Lover of God”.  So, we who love the Lord may regard the writings of Luke as if they were addressed to us.

 

Luke introduced his Gospel with these words ...

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.  (Luke 1:1-4 NIV)

 

Like the other Gospel writers, the Apostle John was eager to tell the world about Jesus, but he presented Christ in a distinctive, very personal way.  His inquisitive mind searched for foundational principles and actions that undergirded the things he witnessed as he followed Jesus.  He asked himself, and then Jesus, “Why did this occur?  What does this tell us?  What does this portend?”  When he looked at Jesus, he saw much more than a man.  He saw his Creator!  Inspired by the Holy Spirit and choosing his words carefully, John wrote ...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(John 1:1-5 KJV)

Since Jesus came to Earth with a Message from God for mankind, John called Him “The Word”.  All of His teachings should be in the Bible, the Word of God.

 

Having heard many sermons delivered by Jesus and having had many conversations with Him, John had formed an understanding of the Triune God.  “Yes, our Lord is one Lord, but He expresses Himself to us in three ways -- as God, the Father, and as God, the Son, and as God, the Holy Spirit,” John surmised.  So, even though he had often recited, “God created the heavens and the Earth,” John had no qualms about saying, “All things were made by Jesus.  Without Him, nothing was made.”  In fact, he found it exhilarating to stand in the presence of the One who was his Creator.

 

Further, John discerned a powerful force emanating from Jesus.  He called it “Life”, but it was not just the ordinary life force found in humankind.  It was life from another dimension.  A life force none of us will experience until we enter Heaven.  John indicated that that Life Force transmitted “light”, understanding, to mankind.  And, “Alas,” John sighed, “That light shined into the darkness of the human race, and those in the dark did not comprehend it.”  Today, as in the days of John, many do not comprehend the Message Jesus brought to Earth from Heaven.  They are unwilling to step out of the familiar darkness of the world and consider it.