Read through the Bible in one-year, reflections part III

As part of “read the Bible in one year,” the New Testament part will likely begin with the Gospels. And, of course, with Matthew. Thus, what are some features to be alert to as we read the Gospels? 

#1 Take note of the way the Gospels point out that Jesus is the Messiah rooted in the work of God through the Jewish people. Recall that the earliest believers were Jewish; therefore, it was important to establish that Jesus was in accord with the Scriptures of what we now call the Old Testament. This “Jewishness” of Jesus is most noticeable in Matthew, but it is an aspect of the other three as well. Since many of us are Gentiles, this might not have as big an impact upon us. Nonetheless, this “Jewishness” shows the faithfulness of God as it traces back to God’s intention when He promised Abraham “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” back in Genesis 12:2. God is faithful to accomplish his plans!

#2 Jesus is our life! Perhaps, one of the most well-known parts of the Bible is Matthew 5:3-12. One might ask how are those who “are poor in spirit,” “mourn,” “are gentle,” “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” “are merciful,” “are pure in heart,” “are the peacemakers,” ”are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,” and “are insulted and persecuted” in any way “blessed?” They are blessed because they belong to Jesus! While those who are self-righteous, self-reliant, and self-interested will not follow. 

#3 As such, in light of item 2 above, take note of the encounters that Jesus has with people and how they respond. Some reject him and some accept him. What is quite striking is that the people who accept him were often the “outsiders” of that time. And the people who reject him were often the “insiders” of the time, in particular the religious authorities. These encounters basically ask the reader, are you going to accept Jesus or not? And they also ask, if I’m a follower of Jesus, how am I going to look at people who don’t know Him yet? Am I going to be like the religious authorities who trust their “insider-ness” looking down on others failing to see the grace of God is available to all who trust Him?

Keep reading! 

Soli Deo Gloria!