Falling in Love with Jesus

A tax collector by trade, Matthew was not a well-respected man in Jewish society. Contracted by the Roman Empire to collect on behalf of Caesar from their fellow Jews, tax collectors were often viewed as traitors. So when Matthew is called by Jesus to become His disciple, it’s somewhat of a surprise, but seems to make perfect sense when we understand the role Matthew will play in the Gospel he will write.

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and was written primarily for a Jewish audience. As such, it goes to great lengths to demonstrate Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and His status as the promised Messiah. Sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of the Kingdom,” Matthew tells us that Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God on earth. It is a kingdom in which the poor are blessed, the outcasts are included, and the sinners are welcome. This is in stark contrast to the Jewish kingdoms of the day, which were based on things like power, prestige, and wealth.

Matthew knew his audience well and wrote his Gospel in a way that would speak to their needs and interests. He included multitudinous Old Testament references and prophecies that would resonate with his Jewish readers to prove that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah who had come to fulfill all of God’s promises.  

Though Mark was not among Jesus’ original 12 disciples, he did serve as a close companion to the apostle Peter and was privy to many of the stories and teachings that Peter would later share with the world. The book of Mark is believed to be the first of the Gospels, written in Rome for the early church, and it seems to be directed at a Gentile audience as it does not include as many Old Testament references as the book of Matthew.

The book of Mark is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Action” as it focuses heavily on the miracles that Jesus performed and the suffering that He endured. Mark wants his readers to know that Jesus is a man of action, not just words. His Gospel features a Jesus who is always on the move, healing the sick, teaching the crowds, and bringing hope to those who are lost.

Mark’s Gospel also emphasizes the cost of discipleship, something that would have been readily apparent to the early Christian believers who were being persecuted for their beliefs. As followers of Jesus, they too would have to be prepared to suffer and even die for what they believed. But Mark also shows us that it is through our suffering that we find true life in Christ.

Luke, on the other hand, was a Gentile physician who likely wrote his Gospel for a mixed audience. Luke makes it clear early on his Gospel that he was not an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus, but rather wrote his account from the eyewitness accounts of others. He was a close companion of the apostle Paul and had access to many of the stories that Paul would have heard from Peter and the other disciples.

The book of Luke is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Compassion” because of the way it highlights Jesus’ concern for those who are marginalized by society. Luke shows us a Jesus who is always reaching out to the poor, the sick, and the lost. He is a Jesus who loves unconditionally and welcomes all people, no matter who they are or what they have done.

This is perhaps best seen in the story of the prodigal son, which is only found in the Gospel of Luke. In this parable, we see a father who shows forgiveness and love to his wayward son despite the fact that he has squandered his inheritance. This story speaks to Luke’s concern for those who have been excluded from society and reminds us that all are welcome in the kingdom of God.

The fourth and final Gospel is that of John, the beloved disciple and eyewitness to His miracles and ministry on earth. John was one of Jesus’ 12 original disciples and is traditionally believed to be the only one to have survived into old age. He likely wrote his Gospel toward the end of his life when he was living in Ephesus with other members of the Church.

John’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Love” due to its focus on the love that Jesus has for the world, not just Jewish or Christian believers. This is a radical statement of love and inclusion that would have been unheard of in the first century. In John’s Gospel, we see a Jesus who is not only full of compassion and mercy, but also willing to lay down His life as payment for our sins.

John’s Gospel goes further than any other to show us that Jesus is not just a man, but also God. His opening does not begin with a nativity story; rather, he tells us that Jesus is the Word who was with God in the beginning and that He is God. While this claim would have been met with hostility from both Jews and Gentiles, John doesn’t stop there. He goes on to show us that Jesus is not just some type of divine being, but that He is the one true God who has come to save us from our sins.

While the Gospels were written about Jesus, they were written for those who would come after Him. They were written to show us who Jesus is and what He has done for us. But they were also written to challenge us to follow him. Each of the Gospels calls us to a different response, but they all have a common goal—to lead us into a personal relationship with the one living God. Jesus in His Own Words: A Layman’s Perspective seeks to do the same thing. It is our hope and prayer that God will speak to your heart, and you find yourself falling in love with Jesus as you delve into his message.