Contents of this page:

• Ah, Excuse me but what is a Gospel?
• The Gospel of Matthew
• The Gospel of Mark
• The Gospel of Luke
• The Gospel of John

Ah, Excuse me but what is a Gospel?

The Gospels are "Christ-files." They are carefully written accounts about the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The word "gospel" simply means "good news." Gospels are cherished accounts about what God has done through Jesus Christ. The least likely people in society who had no formal seminary training wrote them. Some had been with Jesus during his earthly ministry. All carefully wrote about what they had seen, heard and experienced. They wrote for every generation, simply sharing what they knew about the Jesus story. The Gospels are named "Matthew," "Mark," "Luke" and "John." Each has unique perspectives and personalities by people who loved Jesus. They are located in the part of the Bible known as "the New Testament." Some would call them the "Greek Scriptures."

Chapters and verse number each Gospel. The chapter number immediately follows the name of the book. This is followed by a semi-colon ( : ) with number of the verse(s). Matthew is abbreviated as "MT," Mark as "Mk," Luke as "Lk," and John as "Jn." An example is MT 9:9-13. This is Matthew chapter 9, verses 9-13.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke specifically mention Jesus teachings about the Reign (Kingdom) of God more than ninety times. This is enormously significant! The Gospel of John develops "belief" in ninety-nine places. This too, offers soul food for much thought! A marvelous ninety day experience can be enjoyed through reading a Gospel chapter daily. These stories carry remarkable power for healing. They give hope and strength during difficult times.

The Gospel of Matthew

A man who was despised by his society writes the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus deliberately searched for him with a personal invitation to "Follow" him. Matthew's story is so dramatic that two other Gospel writers recorded it (MT 9: 9-13; Mk 2: 14 - 17 and Lk 5: 27-32)! Matthew was transformed. When Jesus called him, he left everything to be with this remarkable man. Jesus brought him into spiritual and physical community! An outcast no more, he became part of the inner circle known as the twelve disciples.

A disciple was a devoted follower and eager student. We read of disciples who followed the teachings of John the Baptist and religious orthodox Jewish groups called "Pharisees." Every world religion has disciples. They may use different names but the concept of spiritual apprenticeship is universal. Disciples are more than casual students. Disciples attempt to be like their Master and trainer. They strive to live the life and walk the talk. Disciples are made, not born. They require spiritual formation and pastoral care.

Jesus also had disciples. They sat at his feet, followed him through ministry, tried hard to live by his teachings. They had an adventure with God! Jesus trained them carefully to turn the world upside down. He trained them to be politically incorrect, spiritual revolutionaries. Many conservative religious authorities perceived Jesus and his disciples to be theological troublemakers!

Matthew give us a world vision of Christ as a missionary Savior. Jesus is constantly preaching and teaching the Reign (Kingdom) of God. He is frequently traveling from city to village. People beg him to linger and establish residence, but Christ has the Reign of God and Good News to proclaim.

Matthew writes as someone no longer outcast. Many miracles and teachings are recorded here. The most famous is the beloved "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew chapters 5-7). That sermon continues to challenge and change world history even today! Both Gandhi and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. based their nonviolent movements for justice with these inspiring words.

Matthew writes as a Jewish man in first century Israel who interprets Jesus through the Hebrew (Old Testament) scriptures. He meticulously records the life of Christ from birth to resurrection. A few examples are:

The Great Commission is one of the most famous statements in Matthew. Jesus commissions amazed disciples after his resurrection with a mission still relevant for today. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age."

Matthew is full of discipleship training materials that transform lives. It is a story of hope for outsiders and rejected people. While the world has changed, the mission of the church has not. Matthew is dedicated to helping both religious and irreligious people become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark is an energetic account of the Jesus Story. It is the briefest gospel and deliberately written for seekers without a Jewish background or spiritual training. Jesus is a man with a mission. He travels from place to place. He touches and heals people, walks on water and performs spectacular miracles. Simple explanations are given for the reader to better understand the ancient Jewish customs.

This Gospel is written for us! We read of Jesus raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, deformed limbs are strengthened, the lame walk, the blind see, demons are cast out and much more. Jesus is powerful! Jesus has power and help for us in all life's recovery issues. He has come to help us. All we have to do is ask.

Mark offers "a golden thread of discipleship" (Mark 12:12; 14:1-2; 15:10). The divine necessity of the cross is emphasized (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33). The words "teacher," "teach" and "Rabbi" are applied to Jesus 39 times. Many debate Jesus. He is shown in his humanity (see Mark 3:5; 6:6, 31, 34; 7:34; 8:12, 33; 10:14; 11:12) and deity (Mark 1:1, 11; 3:11; 5:7; 9:7; 12:1-11; 13:32; 15:39).

This Gospel immediately begins with "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." People were amazed (Mark 1:22; 2:15; 5:20, 42; 6:2, 51; 7:37; 10:26; 11:18) with this astonishing Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is very good news in a "news starved world." This Gospel could be a wonderful first Bible reading experience for anyone.

The Gospel of Luke

Luke is a beloved physician and historian who carefully researched the Jesus story. He is also credited with writing the adventure story of the early church (known as the book of Acts). Luke offers a full plate of soul food in researching these wonderful stories. Many readers would say Luke is the most beautiful of the gospels. He is a highly educated man writing for non-Jewish people. Luke is also an "outsider." He is a non-Jewish person writing for others who may not have a Jewish heritage.

Luke writes "the big picture" from birth through resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is shown as a man deeply concerned for suffering and oppressed people. Jesus is the Healer. He paid special attention to devalued people in society. These included women, children, the poor, prostitutes, despised tax collectors and many others. Jesus offered all spiritual recovery, strength and salvation. But his greatest concern was for outcasts and other unloved people. Jesus reached out to the unlovable. This is evident in parables (teaching stories) by Jesus. Jesus welcomes everyone refused and rejected by "Religion."

One of the most famous teachings of Christ is often used for justice ministries. These words continue to inspire and challenge all readers. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus Christ is for the poor, the imprisoned, the battered and the burdened. Jesus preached justice and enraged the religious authorities. It was the religious authorities who plotted to destroy this spiritual revolutionary. Christ was simply too politically incorrect and dangerous for the status quo.

Luke carefully writes about the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ. The Spirit was present at conception, baptism, throughout ministry and the resurrection. That same Holy Spirit can empower us.

The Gospel of John

Each Gospel account is beautiful and unique. John is known as the "beloved disciple" (Jn 13:23; 19:26; 20:21; 21:7, 20; 21:24). His name means, "the Lord is gracious." He was one of the very first to follow Jesus and was possible a cousin. John had a passionate temper, which gave him the nickname "one of the sons of thunder."

John is believed to be the author of several "epistles" (letters). Their names are 1(First) John, 2 (Second) John and 3 (Third) John. He also wrote the most difficult and confusing book in the Bible known as the book of Revelations. Many try to read Revelations as a first time Bible reading experience. Soul Food recommends beginning with the Gospel of John before trying Revelations!

There are some special items only in John. We read through his eyes the wonder of the very first miracle. Jesus turns water into wine at a neighbor's wedding! Then follows real people stories and drama with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. John shares at length of the tender Upper Room "last supper." He records "the other Lord's prayer" in chapter 17 along with the famous "I am" sayings of Christ.

John writes with a purpose (20:31) so readers may come to believe Jesus is God's Sent One. Life is available through believing in his name. He develops what life is as one of belief and maturing faith. John helps us "be" with Christ in lingering conversations.

One of the most famous verses in the Bible is "John 3:16." "For God so loved the world that God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but may have eternal life."

Jesus takes us beyond John 3:16! Jesus invested in people's spiritual formation. The two most radical words from Christ are "follow me." It can be a profound experience reading this gospel through these two words (John 1:40, 43; 10:4, 27; 12:26; 13:37; 18:15; 21:19). Transforming spiritual conversations and formation are developed in these 21 chapters.

The beloved disciple records the beautiful words from Christ after he rose from the dead! "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so send I you" (John 20:21). John helps us experience the peace of Christ. We are then to be peace missionaries of Christ in our world. Jesus teaches how to be in life and with God.

Some of the most famous spiritual conversations with Christ are ours to enjoy. These will be more fully developed in the following Bible study. Jesus also spent a great amount of time preparing his disciples for ministry. These will also be explored through the lives of Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathaniel, Judas Isacarate, the other Judas and Mary.

Another very good and free internet bible study of John's Gospel can be found at the Willow Creek Church webpage at www.willowcreek.org. It is an excellent resource recommended by Soul Food.

"Peace be with you."

The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tenderloving-kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.