Biblical Foundations预览

The word ‘gospel’ means good news. The Gospels, in Scripture, refer to the first four books in the New Testament which chronicle the life of Jesus. The four writers share eyewitness accounts personal to them, or recounted by those were witness to Jesus. The gospelswere all written within 20 years of one another and three of them are understood to be synoptic—meaning they cover a similar catalog of accounts that provide a clear picture of who Jesus is and what he did on earth.

The Gosples of Matthew and Luke are the only two that include the story of Jesus’ birth, though all the gospels recount his ministry, death, and resurrection. As the gospels describe, Jesus came to earth as a baby in a stable, surrounded by farm animals. He could have come on a cloud or been born as a mighty warrior, but he chose to come in the form of a baby to humble himself and relate to us. Luke 2:41-52 touches briefly on the life of Jesus before he started his ministry. Verse 52 tells us that “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Though fully God, Jesus was also fully human and grew in the same manner as you and me.

John 1-3 is integral to our understanding of two essential parts of the ministry of Jesus. God initiated and inaugurated the ministry of Jesus through his baptism which marked the start of his three years of ministry. Scholars assess that Jesus began his public ministry at the age of 30, during which time he called disciples to follow and assist him in ministry. He died at age 33.

When the time came for the Father’s will to be enacted in Jesus’ death, he willingly took on the sins of all humanity, taking our punishment, dying on the cross. Fulfilling prophecy, Jesus was resurrected on the third day, defeating death and offering salvation to all who would repent of their sins and follow him.

Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven to be with God, the Father. This ushered the “church age” into history, largely described in the book of Acts.

Prayer: God, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross and your resurrection that allows me to be forgiven and enjoy eternal life with you.