El Evangelio
Understanding the Gospels
The Meaning of "Gospel"
- The term "gospel" translates to "good news," prompting the question: good news about what? In Mark's Gospel, Jesus announces that the time has come and the Kingdom of God is near, urging repentance and faith in this good news.
The Arrival of God's Kingdom
- The good news centers on the arrival of God's Kingdom, summarizing the entire biblical narrative leading to Jesus. It begins with God creating a good world and appointing humanity as its stewards.
- Humanity's repeated rebellion results in violence and death, presenting a significant problem. However, God commits to restoring order by choosing Abraham and his family to restart His project.
Israel's Role in Restoration
- Through Moses, God leads Israel into a land of abundance to restore all nations through them. Despite becoming a kingdom with great kings like David, Israel ultimately rebels again, leading to destruction.
- Prophets foretold that God would not abandon Israel but would personally come to restore it so that justice and peace could spread across all nations—this hope is known as the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' Mission
- Jesus' mission was about bringing this Kingdom of God—a new creation aimed at restoring humanity’s role as co-rulers with God. His actions include healing people from death and disease while teaching generosity towards the poor and love for enemies.
Fulfillment of Biblical History
- One goal of the gospels is showing how Jesus fulfills biblical history. Gospel authors frequently reference Hebrew Scriptures while narrating Jesus’ story.
- For instance, Matthew highlights that Jesus' birth in Bethlehem was prophesied by Micah. Direct quotes from prophets are common throughout these texts.
Subtle Connections in Scripture
- Often, gospel authors weave scriptural phrases into narratives subtly; for example, during Jesus' baptism when God's voice identifies Him as His beloved Son—drawing from multiple biblical texts linking Him to David’s lineage and Abraham’s promise.
Diversity Among Gospel Accounts
Purposeful Differences
- Each gospel author presents unique perspectives on Jesus’ life and teachings. This diversity serves specific purposes:
- Matthew portrays Jesus as a greater Moses by organizing His teachings into five sections akin to the Torah.
- Luke emphasizes Jesus as Isaiah's royal servant who brings light to nations.
- Mark depicts Jesus as a new beginning for humanity amidst God's mystery of new creation.
- John focuses on affirming Jesus’ divinity as Yahweh made flesh.
Common Narrative Threads
- Despite their differences, all four gospels share core elements: they recount how a Galilean man preached good news but faced crucifixion as a criminal.
The Significance of Crucifixion