The Lord Jesus Christ In The Four Gospels

by Deacon, A. | Category: The Lord Jesus Christ In The Four Gospels | Feb 1933

These things which we have outlined, will probably be readily accepted, but our purpose in drawing attention to them is to point out that all are combined in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to urge that we should more impartially give our mind to all. And further, we wish to suggest that in our measure we ought to exhibit the same characteristics in our lives and so to be like the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pursue this thought. We need to be established in the principles of the kingdom. We read that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is fundamental, peace and joy will follow as a consequence. Now the Kingdom of God while established in the individual heart is proper to a people, and in the present day should be seen in the Assemblies of God-the sphere where the Lord Jesus rules for God. Let this appeal to the believing reader! Has he been discipled and baptized? Is he found associated with others who have passed through the same experience and who are now together in an Assembly of God there to do all things which the Lord has commanded?

If this be true of such an one, he will be able to appreciate the subject matter of the first gospel which is the doing of God's will on earth-the Kingdom.

Then coming to the second gospel, ought we not to appreciate its

significance as bearing on our lives ? in a sense, the highest position the disciple can either desire or expect in this world is that of a servant. Of the Lord Jesus Christ it is said' "Behold My Servant." He never wasted one moment; this does not mean that He was always rushing hither and thither; no, He waited on Jehovah and was ever ready to do whatsoever was the will of God. We each need to be exercised as to the line of service for which we are fitted, and to have the conviction that this is to be the business of our lives. Need we say that all service is utterly valueless unless fulfilled in the spirit of love (I Corinthians 13.). It was love to God and to man that led the Saviour through His life, even to the laying down His life on the cross. It is very noticeable that the Lord was characterized by prayer. If He needed to pray, how much more do we! Let us seek unto God both to learn His will as to our service, and for guidance and strength in fulfilling it.

As to the third gospel, the life and actions of the Lord in this gospel are suggestive of a breadth of sympathy which we sorely need to feel and show. The Pharisaic attitude of "Come not near to me, for I am holier than thou" (Isaiah 65. 5) was not seen in Him. He was reproached with being "a friend of publicans and sinners." It was said, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him, that she is a sinner (Luke 7. 39). We might profitably consider what our attitude would have been had we been in that company, and what is our attitude in corresponding circumstances in our day. Had the Lord restricted Himself to the "religious" of His day, He would hardly have encountered their hatred. We ought all to realize that we have much to learn as to this true "human sympathy" which was characteristic of the Lord. Such sympathy will not bring us into unholy fellowships-nor need we join hands with the world (religious or irreligious) in its schemes of world betterment, but there are many ways in which we may show our sympathy for our fellow-men in the affairs of this life. May we ask as to this part of the Lord's character, do we not need to cultivate the same features to a greater extent than at present?

Finally, as to the fourth gospel, the Lord is presented as the Divine One-the Son of the Father, the true Word or manifestation of God. This was and is exclusive to Him, for He is God. And so in many of His words and ways He stands by Himself. But is there not a side of the believer's character which is concerned with His relationship to God, which views Him as a child of God, as a Son, as able to address God as "Father"? If we appreciated this more fully would it not give to our lives an elevation, a heavenliness while here below? In this sense shall we not recognize that we already have eternal life? Shall we not antedate the future and walk in the moral elevation of the life-to-be, both here and now? The Lord said,

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world;" and He added, "Sanctify them in the truth. Thy word is Truth." This is a key word as indicating the unworldly character not only of the Lord, but also of ourselves, and it plainly indicates how the heavenly character is to be maintained while in, though not of the world: namely, by the sanctifying power of the Word by the Spirit's ministry.

Thus these four gospels set forth the Person of the Lord in His complete unity, and also afford us an example of what we should be-even though we fall so short of the standard set by Him.

The latter part of each gospel narrative bears witness to the tragic end and records the fact that whether as Jehovah's Christ, or His Servant, or His true human image, or Son of God, there was no place for Him below; and we cannot but remember the word, "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" Thanks be to God, the end of each narrative goes to establish the fact that it was not possible for Him to be holden by death, for God raised Him from the dead. Soon He will be manifested as God's Christ in glory; as Jehovah's Servant honoured; as Son of Man opening the Eden of God again and connecting heaven and earth; and as the Son of God, the Word administering the Divine will for ever and ever. And we shall be with Him.

Deacon, A. | Feb 1933
The Lord Jesus Christ In The Four Gospels