THE FOUR FACES OF JESUS

1
THE FOUR FACES OF JESUS

• THE GOSPELS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND
  JOHN

2
OVERVIEW

• AUTHORS
• WHO
• WHEN
• SUMMARY
• ORGANIZATION
• STYLE
• AUDIENCE
• MESSAGE

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THE ANOINTED,THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH

• MESSIAH (English Trans.)
• A Hebrew word meaning "the anointed one." In the
  Old Testament the high priests and the kings were
  anointed.
• But the name Messiah was used among the
  Israelites for Him alone who was foretold to Adam
  and Abraham as the Savior from sin and the
  blessing of all nations (Gen. 315 123 2218).
  

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CHRIST FORETOLD

• Old Testament, prophecies about Him constantly
  sustain hope in and desire for His coming.
• He would have a precursor (Mal. 31)
• His birth of a virgin was foretold (Is. 714
  Jer. 3122)
• the time of His coming was revealed to Daniel
  (Dan. 924)
• even the place of His birth was designated (Mic.
  52)
• His reign was described (Jer. 235)
• He would enter the rebuilt Temple (Hag. 28 Mal.
  31)
• He was to abide among men and would suffer a
  cruel passion and death at their hands to redeem
  mankind (Is. 421-4 531-12)
• and was to rise from the dead as a proof of His
  divinity (Hosea 62, Ps 1610).

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THE FOUR FACES OF JESUS

• Same general purpose
• Own style and flavor
• Four different authors
• Four different traditions

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THE FOUR FACES OF JESUS

• Jesus words and actions received a new light, a
  new depth and fuller interpretation than was
  possible before the resurrection and the coming
  of the Spirit.
• They were passed on in new situations, and
  according to the mentality, culture and need of
  new hearers.

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The Gospel of Matthew

• JESUS THE KING

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MATTHEW

• Matthew (Levi) the disciple and tax collector
  wrote 40-90 AD
• Original Aramaic and sayings versus later Greek
  text still debated
• Longest Gospel at 28 chapters
• Known as a book of teaching
• Law, mission, mystery, greatness, and future

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Matthews Organization

• Infancy Narrative (11 223)
• Proclamation of the Kingdom (31 729)
• Ministry and Mission in Galilee (81 111)
• Opposition from Israel (112 1353)
• Jesus, Kingdom and Church (1354 1835)
• Ministry Judea, Jerusalem (191 2546)
• Passion and Resurrection ( 261 2820)

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Matthew Style

• Jesus the King, descendent of David
• Genealogy traced to David
• Son of David mentioned 10 times
• Visited by Kings at birth
• The fulfillment of prophecy
• Virgin birth (brief), Bethlehem, innocents
• Quotes the prophets
• The Teacher
• Calls his own gospel a book
• Beatitudes, law, anger, adultery divorce, oaths,
  retaliation, almsgiving, prayer,

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Matthews Style cont.

• Teaches us to pray. (610)
• Establishes the Church and authority to Apostles
  (1618, 1818 twice)
• Gives Peter the Keys to the Kingdom
• Peter 195, others 130, John 29

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Matthews Audience

• Primarily Jewish/Jewish Christians
• Kingdom of Heaven vs Kingdom of God
• 32 times in 31 verses
• Exclusive to Matthew
• King of the Jews Magi, Crucifixion
• OT similarities 40 years/40 days, Moses
  mount/sermon on mount, 12 tribes/12 apostles,
• Matthew focuses on tradition (not gentile trait)

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Matthews Message

• Jesus is Messiah prophesized in OT of the lineage
  of David
• Jesus was Son of God and sinless
• Jesus performed miracles beyond nature
• Calm storm, healing, raising dead
• Jesus gives examples of how to live
• Parables faith, salvation, sacrifice, love,
  legal issues, forgiveness, temptation, hypocrisy,
  giving to others, Heaven and Hell

14
The Gospel of Mark

• JESUS THE SERVANT

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The Gospel of Mark

• John Mark a follower of Peter
• Mentioned in Acts 12/13, Col 410, 2 Tim 411
  (obscure)
• Written 50 - 60 AD
• Before Jewish War 66-70
• Calls his gospel a gospel
• Shortest gospel with 16 chapters
• Last five deal with entry into Jerusalem,
  passion, death, and resurrection
• Omits genealogy and birth

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Mark Organization

• Preparation of public ministry (1-113)
• John the Baptist, Jesus baptism, Jesus'
  temptation
• The Mystery and Ministry of Jesus (114-826)
• Calling Peter/Andrew, Beginning miracles,
  parables
• Beginning of the Revelation (827-932)
• Peters confession (not the keys to kingdom),
  Prediction
• of passion, Transfiguration
• The Full Revelation (933-1620)
• Greatest in the kingdom, Marriage and divorce,
  Jerusalem, Last Supper, Crucifixion
• Two endings (long ending, short ending)

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Marks Style

• Presents Jesus as a servant obedient to the
  Father and way of the cross
• For the Son of Man came not to be served but to
  serve (1045)
• No information about Jesus before baptism
• Jesus has authority
• he speaks with authority, power (127)
• Repeated controls the forces of evil, darkness,
  disease, nature
• Jesus speaks of fulfillment, nearness of kingdom,
  and need for repentance and faith (114-15)

18
Marks style

• Only Gospel that Jesus admits he doesnt know
  when the end of the world will come (1332)
• No conversation w/ Satan in wilderness, very
  brief descrip
• Sabbath made for man unique (227)
• Son of Mary a carpenter (not son)
• brothers and sisters named (63)

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Marks Style cont.

• Messianic secret stronger in Mark (134 vs Matt
  816, 543,736,823,
• Only direct answer to Sanhedrin Are you the
  Christ? I am (1462)
• visual gospel (639)
• Jesus death predicted 3 times and apostles
  misunderstand each time (831,9311033)

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Marks Audience

• Greek speaking residents of Rome
• Jewish traditions are explained (71-4)
• Aramaic words are expanded (541)

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Marks Message

• Jesus is Son of God (11, 1539)
• Jesus died for many that sins might be forgiven.
  (1045)
• Emphasis on the passion, death and resurrection
• Last five chapters of 16 deal with this
• Eternal salvation is real and through Jesus

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The Gospel of Luke

• JESUS THE HUMANITARIAN

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Gospel of Luke

• Author a doctor and companion of Paul (obscure)
• Also wrote Acts of Apostles
• Well educated
• Works comprise 28 of NT
• Gives complete history of Jesus from birth to
  resurrection.
• Uses names to place dates of event
• Calls his gospel a narrative
• Probably written between 58-60 AD
• Author ref. in Col 414

St. Luke by El Greco
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Lukes Organization

• Prologue (11-4)
• Infancy Narrative (15- 252)
• Genealogy goes back to God
• Preparation for Ministry (31- 413)
• Ministry in Galilee (414 950)
• Journey to Jerusalem (951 1927)
• Teaching in Jerusalem (1928 2138)
• The Passion Narrative (221 2356)
• The Resurrection Narrative (241-53)

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Lukes Style

• Jesus the social worker
• Very descriptive covering large time frame
• Much scrutiny based on historical comparisons
  available
• Very accurate in descriptions geographically,
  politically, and nautically.
• Paints Jesus as a teacher, ethically wise,
  serene, interested in teaching virtues among
  people
• Jesus is powerful and knowledgeable (416 - 22)
• Appears more socially and politically conscious

26
Lukes Style cont.

• Jesus more of a teacher, critical yet still
  concerned about society.
• Jesus death calmer w/ different words than
  Matt/Mk
• Pilates responsibility mitigated
• Political/social consideration
• Jewish responsibility more significant
• Gentile perspective

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Lukes Audience

• Gentiles and well educated based on his language
• Highlights more political and social concerns
• Possible concern for the way Christians will be
  perceived

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Lukes Message

• For Theophilus and others to realize the
  certainty of the teachings (Christian truths)
• Jesus is the Son of Man who came to seek and
  save what was lost (1910)
• Humanity
• Genealogy goes back to Adam son of God
• all who heard were astounded
• Christ shows us our humanity with his love
• Christ is God

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The Gospel of John

• JESUS THE DIVINE

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Gospel of John

• The Lords closest friend the beloved
• Part of the inner circle of Peter and James
• Behold your Mother, behold your son
• Written after 90 AD
• Covers last 3 years of Jesus

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Johns Organization

• Prologue (11-18)
• The Incarnate Word of God
• No baptism, only John the Baptist
• Book of Signs (119 1250)
• Wondrous deeds of Jesus
• Book of Glory (131 2031)
• Meaning of the passion, death, and resurrection
• Epilogue Resurrection Appearance in Galilee (
  211-25)

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Johns Style

• Jesus is God, John explains the signs
• Cana (211), Cleansing of Temple (218 22)
• Full explanation of the Real Presence
• The heart of the Eucharist (648 - 69)
• The Light of the World (91 -5)
• The Glory of God (114)
• The Glory
• You do not always have me (128)
• While you have the light, believe in the light
  (1236)

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Johns Style cont.

• what I am doing you do not understand but will
  understand later (137)
• Now is the Son of Man glorified(133)
• Introduces the Advocate the spirit (1416)
• The spirit that will teach (1426)
• No Last Supper narrative
• Extensive discourses
• Passion, crucifixion and death
• his Mother at crucifixion and given to John
• Thomas doubts and is shown

34
Johns Style cont.

• Epilogue unique
• Third time Jesus revealed after resurrection
• No ascension described
• Two conclusions (2030) (2124)
• Although possibly written after manuscript
  complete, epilogue is in earliest available
  manuscripts.

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Johns Audience

• Gentile Christians
• Explains Jewish customs
• Describes places in Palestine

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Johns Message

• these are written that you may believe that
  Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
  believing you may have life in His name. (2031)
• It is this disciple who testifies to these
  things and has written themThere are many other
  thing Jesus didI do not think world would
  contain the books (2124)

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THE FOUR FACES OF JESUS

• Matthew
• The Christian Rabbi and King intent on catechesis
  concentrates on fulfillment of scripture.
• Mark
• Focuses on what Jesus did rather than what he
  said, on his suffering humanness rather than his
  divinity.
• Luke
• Concentrates on on Jesus mercy, Christian prayer
  and the poor .
• John
• Presents a majestic, divine Jesus, and a Kingdom
  of salvation already in force.

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THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

• Christ died for our sins in accordance with the
  scriptureshe was buriedhe was raised on the
  third day in accordance with the scriptures 1
  Cor 153-5)