Three stories . . .

Today marks the last look at the first three books of the Bible commonly called the synoptic (means ‘see together’) gospels. They were written by three distinctive people. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector called by Jesus to follow Him. Mark was a young man who likely took most of the story from Peter because he was not one of the twelve disciples. Luke wasn’t one of the twelve either. He was a physician who later travelled with the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys.

Each had a distinct point of view. Matthew saw Jesus as the King of the Jews, the Messiah who would deliver them from bondage, interesting from a man working for the authorities that ruled over his people. 

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)

“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:5)

His book is a bridge from the Old Testament to the New, linking the prophecies of the Messiah with their fulfillment in Christ. He tells the story with a flair for ‘He is coming’ then the exciting news that ‘He is here!’

Mark saw Jesus as a servant of God. His book has many words meaning “immediately” which would appeal to a busy, practical Roman reader. Almost half of his book is devoted to the death and resurrection of Jesus, showing Mark’s focus. He also told of how Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders, jeered by the crowds, and abandoned by the disciples, interesting because Mark experienced temporary rejection from Paul.

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him. (Mark 14:1)

And Pilate again said to the crowd, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” (Mark 15:12–13)

And they (the disciples) all left him and fled. (Mark 14:50)

Luke wrote to confirm the story to a particular friend named Theophilus. He presented Jesus as the Son of Man, the ideal human being, something the Greeks had long sought after. He pointed to evidence for this in His life, prayers, parables, and the way He deals with people. He also shows that the good news of Jesus is for everyone. This fits with the Hippocratic oath taken by doctors. Even though the oath was recorded in writing later, it fits with Luke’s view as a person who tended to the needs of others.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

 . . .  all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (Luke 3:6)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

 . . . repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

As I review this, I think of how we who love Jesus also see Him in varying ways, perhaps related to our spiritual gifts and our individual situations. I am particularly drawn to His concern for the eternal well-being of others and to the various ways that He taught truth. Others are fascinated by the way He takes care of needs, heals the sick, ministers to the down-trodden. Still others see His remarkable ability to mobilize His disciples, or how He encourages them. This blesses me because God gives me the perfect example in Jesus Christ for whatever He wants from me and for whatever He has gifted me to care about and do.

I also notice that the prior life of these three writers is useful in some ways but does not stand out as the main reason Jesus selected them. Matthew was ostracized because he worked for the Romans, the enemies. Mark was not part of the original twelve. Luke was a doctor yet his ability as a physician shows up in his attention to detail. This tells me that being a child of God and serving in His kingdom is more about God using what we have rather than what we have has is an outstanding reason for Him selecting us for service. That is both humbling and encouraging. My skills or lack of skills is not a factor in my usefulness to God.

Each day, each verse or passage that I read, speaks to my needs, either as a sinner on my face in shame, or a worshiper on my face in worship. If I am sad, Jesus can give me joy. If I am forgetful, He can jog my memory. If I am sick, He can minister to my need, either restoration or comfort. This God-man Jesus Christ is many faceted. That means that He is all that I need.

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Jesus, thank You for the words of the synoptic Gospels that present You in Your glory, telling Your story in different ways yet each one a blessing to my heart and life.