TGIF
It has been 2 weeks since I last wrote to you. The reason is that we had two weeks dedicated to Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem and then Holy Week including Palm Sunday followed by His crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter. I shared with you the scripture from all 4 Gospels covering these areas and suggested you read multiple Gospels to get some of the important details that were sometimes only covered by one writer.
I found it interesting that in Pastor Don’s Easter sermon, he chose one of the unique details that was only reported by Matthew. That scripture, with unique text highlighted, was:
Mark 16:7 – But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
In this verse, the angel appearing as a young man told the two women named Mary who came to the tomb to tell “His disciples and Peter” that Jesus has gone to Galilee and they would see Him there. The addition of Peter is interesting since Peter was also a disciple. Don explained that Peter must have been feeling terrible as he had denied Jesus 3 times as Jesus predicted he would, and it came true. Jesus wanted Peter to know that He understood and wanted Peter to know that he was forgiven by Jesus.
I also decided to follow my own advice and read all the scriptures I had referenced and found another very interesting unique topic that was only reported by Matthew on the crucifixion. That scripture, with unique information reported by Matthew highlighted below, is:
Matthew 27:50-54 – And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Note that verses 50, 51a, and 54 are reported in Mark and Luke, but only Matthew reports verses 51b, 52 and 53. Nothing else is mentioned about these bodies that appeared, which likely means they were not visible for very long, although they “appeared to many” to establish the reality of this miracle. Evidently, these people received glorified bodies, and then they ascended to glory, providing a foretaste of:
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
The Gospel According to Matthew is believed to be the first Gospel written. I find it interesting that only Matthew reported this specific information in verses 51b, 52 and 53, but each Gospel writer had his own perspective in writing his account and priority to the events of what happened on those most meaningful days.
Mark was considered the interpreter for Peter, and recorded in detail and accurately whatever Peter remembered. Whereas Matthew’s writing was mainly for a Jewish audience, Mark’s writing the Gospel According to Mark targeted Roman believers, particularly Gentiles, so his focus differed from Matthew.
Luke was the only Gentile to contribute to the Scriptures, writing both the Gospel According to Luke and the book of Acts. Luke was also a physician and a frequent companion of the Apostle Paul, so would be influenced by Paul’s thoughts as well.
The Gospel According to John was the final Gospel written. Because John had access to the 3 previous Gospels, he sought to write a more “spiritual Gospel”, and to be both supplementary and complementary to the 3 already written Gospels. Note that John was one of the 3 most intimate associates of Jesus, along with Peter and James, and also wrote the books of 1-3 John and Revelation
If you have not taken the time to read all four records of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, I hope you will at some time to appreciate the unique talents and approaches of these 4 men describing in their own way the most important few days in the history of our world.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.