[Reflection Write-up] Which portrait of Jesus in the Gospels appeal to you the most, and why?

 The Four Portrayals of Jesus according to the Gospels

Matthew:
The long-awaited Jewish Messiah
Restoring Kingship
"Jesus as the one who abides with His people always until the end of time" (Adapted from Fortress Introduction to the Gospels (p.2) by Mark Allan Powell)

Mark:
Servant King
presenting the "upside-down" teachings; the first will be the last, the last will be the first. 

Luke:
Perfect Saviour/ Man
"Jesus as the one whose words and deeds liberate those who are oppressed. Jesus comes to seek and to save the lost and to bring release to all those whom he describes as "captives"" (Adapted from Fortress Introduction to the Gospels (p.2) by Mark Allan Powell)

John:
Son of God
(convincing the Christians that Jesus is worth the sufferings on earth)
 

I am simply in awe by how much we can uncover about the Bible. Before I attend New

 Testament Foundation theology class, I always thought that the four Gospels are written

 because the four authors simply wanted to record about Jesus. Now I have learnt that the

 four Gospels were intended for four different audiences, addressing four different challenges

 and presenting four different portraits of Jesus. 


The book of Matthew portrayed Jesus as the long awaited Messiah who came from the line of

 David.  The book of Mark portrayed Jesus as the King who came to earth to serve and to

 suffer. The book of Luke portrayed the Christ as the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures (Luke

 24:27). Jesus is the Perfect Man. The book of John which is different from the rest, presented

 Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus is the revelation of the invisible God. 


After learning the different portrayals of Jesus and historical background of the four Gospels, the book of John appealed to me the most. Personally, I think that the Book of John serves two purposes. Firstly, it is to prove God’s existence through Jesus. He said, "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father". Secondly, it is to assure the people that Jesus as the Son of God is the only way to God. Ideally, after Jesus resurrected from the dead proving His identity and credibility, no human should ever doubt about the existence of God.

The portrayal of Jesus in the Book of John is appealing to me because it emphasizes His divinity, His authority to give life, and to forgive sins. When Jesus came, it must be so exciting to hear Him talked about the “secrets” of the Heavens and the spiritual realm.

He had proven that He is not a liar. Therefore, I am convicted that God is real! Heaven is real! The eternal rewards and condemnation are real! 


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