By: Elizabeth Viera Talbot
MATTHEW All the disciples knew their Bible; but they had not grasped that it was all about Jesus and God’s saving power revealed through Him—that all the Law of Moses; the Prophets; and the Psalms reveal the good news of Jesus Christ. Once the disciples came to recognize this truth; Matthew takes it most seriously. He writes his Gospel with the premise that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish Scriptures. The Law; the Prophets and the Psalms contain prophecies about Jesus—prophecies in the form of promises about what Jesus would accomplish through His perfect life; perfect death and perfect resurrection. Journey with the author through the book of Matthew; and you will discover that all the Law; the Prophets and the Psalms are all about Him! MARK Sometimes love and suffering require extraordinary and unexpected measures. Because sin separated us from God; we all need to know; deep within that we are forgiven. The Gospel of Mark is a very encouraging book because it reminds us that; no matter what we are going through today; the final victory has already been attained by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. And THAT; my friend is GOOD NEWS! LUKE The news is in! The best good news ever – JESUS died for ALL Luke uses the nouns “Savior” and “Salvation” more than any other Gospel writer. The human race was buried under sin; with no possibility of eternal survival. Help could only come from above. God designed a plan to rescue us and Jesus came to fulfill it! But who could be saved? The strong; the learned; the religious? Luke’s Gospel is filled with joy and excitement; because salvation has been secured for ALL!! Just like the shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem; you too can trade your fear for MEGA JOY! JOHN From creation to redemption; Jesus did it all! From the beginning – with God; yet separate – was the Word. John introduces Jesus immediately as God. He reveals a new reality; something deeper than we normally view with our physical eyes: the reality of the Divine as revealed in Jesus – God became flesh. John wants us to see beyond Jesus’ humanity because when we see Him in this light; we will behold His glory and recognize the beauty of what He accomplished for us all. REVELATION In the book of Revelation; the last chapter in the story of Redemption; God has drawn back the veil on a beautiful masterpiece--one that exceeds all our expectations and surpasses our wildest imaginings. It is the portrait of His immeasurable love; a revelation of Christ as the victorious Lamb. Some chapters of human history and our daily lives get pretty scary. Perhaps you feel you can't take it anymore; you are too disheartened to continue. But don't give up yet. Come to the last book of the Bible; the final chapter in the story of salvation; and discover for yourself that Jesus wins!