The Library of Congress has more books about Jesus of Nazareth than any other historical character. In fact, more books have been written about Jesus than any other subject period. Of all these books, which would you recommend? There are four that we can recommend without reservation. They were the originals, and they have never been improved upon. Their Author is the Holy Spirit, and they are named, simply, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” These four accounts of the life of Jesus the Christ comprise the first of the four sections of the New Testament.
BIOGRAPHIES OF CHRIST (4)
Matthew ➡️ Christ is the King of the Jews (28 chapters/ 1071 verses; reading time: 145 minutes). This book was written to Jewish readers and proved that Jesus was their long-awaited King (“king” used 20 times; cf. 2:2; 21:5; 25:34,40; 27:11,29,37,42).
Mark ➡️ Christ is the Servant of God (16 chapters/678 verses; reading time: 90 minutes). This book was written to Roman readers and emphasized Jesus as a Servant (“servant” used five times; cf. 9:35; 10:44; 12:2,4; 14:47).
Luke ➡️ Christ is the Son of Man (24 chapters /1151 verses; reading time: 155 minutes). This book was written to Gentiles and shows Jesus’ human side. He is referred to as the “Son of man” 25 times (e.g., 5:24; 6:5; 7:34; 9:22,26; 44,56, 58; 11:30; 12:8,10,40; 17:22,24,26,30; 18:8,31; 19:10; 21:27).
John ➡️ Christ is the Son of God (21 chapters/879 verses; reading time: 121 minutes). This book was written later than the others and serves as a supplement to the others. It repeats little of what is recorded in the previous three. Jesus is shown decisively to be the “Son of God” (“Son of God” is found ten times; cf. 1:34,49; 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4,27; 19:7; 20:31).
Why have four accounts of the same life? These books are portraits that present four different poses as one unique personality. Jesus is presented as Lord and Savior, rather than describing all He did in the precise order in which He did it. They center in the Messiah’s threefold ministry of Prophet, Priest, and King (cf. Heb. 1:1-3). As Prophet, fulfilling Moses’ great prediction (Deut. 18:1519), He was the Prophet who spoke not merely for God as the prophets before Him, but God spoke through Him as His Son (Heb. 1:1,2). As a Priest, Christ became both the Sacrifice and the Sacrificer as He died on the cross to save sinners (Heb. 9:14), and through His resurrection lives eternally to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:25). As King, He ascended back to heaven to reign over His kingdom until He comes to deliver it to His Father (1 Cor. 15:24-26).
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? Read these four books in your Bible (17 days @ 30 minutes/day) and then follow up and supplement this study with the free study materials offered below.
Free Bible study in your home: https://www.housetohouse.com/freestudies/
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