In western art the four evangelists were represented by symbols originate from the four living creatures in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 1 and the book of Revelation. This is called in Christian art iconography. Iconography studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images. The four are symbolically embodied by the four Seraphims commonly found in Romanesque Art.
Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. John Mark uses concise and active language to tell his story of the life of Jesus.
This book is considered the oldest of the four synoptic gospels written between 60 and 80 CE ( current era).
The Gospels are called Synoptic Gospels because they tell something in a similar way.
It is believed that the audience he wrote to was for the Gentiles.
Written by John Mark who was a follower of Peter and what scholars call an apostolic man.
The gospel writers are called “evangelists” as people who proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Most chapters or sentences begin with the word “and” but the Greek word “euthus” is translated as “immediately” or “then” is used 46 times.
The book jumps right into Jesus’ acts by omitting his birth and leaping straight to his baptism and ministry. He is the Servant of God, doing the work the Father sent him here to do meanwhile, he is also the lowly man performing deeds for his people. He brought himself down, making “himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man” to understand us, to feel and be a part of us. – post #96
Written approximately 60 AD by Matthew an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Message: Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Matthew chapter One verse One proclaims Jesus as the Messiah, as the Son of David, the son of Abraham.
The genealogy Jesus Christ states there are fourteen generations between Abraham and David and from David to the carrying away into Babylon there are fourteen generations and from the carrying away to Christ there are fourteen generations.
There are approximately 1000 years from David to Christ.
Son of David is a title that shows his royal lineage and is first mentioned in the New Testament in Matthew 1 verse 1. He as the son of Abraham shows he descended from the father of many nations as an Israelite. This all proves his earthly heritage as a man.
Key verse: Matthew 16 verse 16, 17
“Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.”
Breakdown of the Gospel of Matthew
The coming of the Messiah, 1:1-2:23
Jesus’ public ministry, 3:1 – 15:39
Jesus’ closing ministries, 16: 1 – 23:39
The prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end, 24: 1- 25:46
What’s in a title… Jesus has many titles that speak about his position and his character, qualities, and traits distinctive to him and him alone as seen in the gospels.
Son of God – Jesus Christ, the Son of God ( Mark 1 verse 1)
The Christ [ Greek] Christos translated from the Hebrew Meshiah or Messiah. In Latin it is Christus – ( Matthew 1 verse 1, Mark 1 verse, Luke 2 verse 11 and 26)
Lord – from Greek, it is Kyrios meaning God, lord, or master. And it is said to be used over 700 times in the new testament. Example: Luke 2 verse 11, Romans 10 verse 9 – confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Lord “is a person who has power or authority over others.”
“A name is a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or a thing.”
“A title is a name that describes someone’s position or job.”
1 Samuel 22 verse 1
“And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone bitter in soul, gathered to him.”
David escaped to the cave of Adullam away from his enemy King Saul to safety, and his brethren followed him. Those who wanted to follow him turned their backs on everything and looked to David making him their captain.
David in this passage of the old testament is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. As David’s brethren followed him so too we should follow the Lord and keep our eyes fixed on Him giving him the first place in our life. He is in control and He is worthy of all our praise and worship. And he is the Captain of our salvation. ( Darlington Feddoes, 2007)
“For is became him, for who are all things, and by whom are all things, and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation.” Hebrews 2 verse 10.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself
Day 16 What’s in a name part 7
The Lord’s day is special for a true child of God. The first day of the week we are drawn by the cords of God’s love to worship the Son. We close the door on all the cares of this world. Dismissing the problems of life. Turning away from the mounting debt; The discontent, the depression, the loneliness. For a moment we fix our eyes on the Lord and see only him. The lowly man, the one who knew no sin and in him was no sin. His work on earth is perfect and complete. For this moment in time, we can contemplate him, The Son of God’s love, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12 verse 3
Another name for the Son mentioned in the gospel of Matthew is Emmanuel. The meaning of this name in Hebrew is God with us. Giving him this name goes back to the book of Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14.
“A virgin shall conceive and shall bring forth a son and call his name Immanuel or Emmanuel.” Matthew 1 verse 23 is a direct quotation from the book of Isaiah. The name Emmanuel conjoins two Hebrew words “El” meaning God and “Immanu” meaning with us.
One more thing to note is this name does not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. At that time before Christ, the Jewish nation was under the heavy hand of the Rome empire and the people were looking for a savior. After the death of King Solomon, the dividing of the kingdom, then the ten tribes carried away into Assyria, the Maccabean Revolt even by the birth of Jesus which was under the Roman empire, the people of God were referred to more and more as Jews. No longer called or revered by the surrounding nations as God’s chosen people.
As said before, they endured hardship and sorrow under the yoke of Rome but remembered the promise by the prophets of old of a Messiah who will save them. In the fullness of time, God sent forth his only Son to fulfill his promise to his people, Israel. “He will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1 verse 21
His name shall be called Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew. (Matthew 1 verse 21) The gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one. At the beginning of the book, his earthly lineage is discussed making it evident that he is the offspring of King David. (Matthew 1 verse 1 then verse 16)
His Davidic lineage is very important for establishing him as the long-awaited Messiah who is to save his people. God made a covenant with David that his kingdom will have no end (2 Samuel 7 verse 13 and 14) I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father and he shall be my son.”
Though God is speaking to David about his son Solomon who will build God’s house, this promise also eludes to the future King, God’s only begotten son, Jesus. Another passage where it is written that of his kingdom there will be no end is in the book of Isaiah chapter 9 verse 7.
The new testament is a fulfillment of the old testament and in the Lord Jesus Christ is the manifestation of all God’s promises.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord they God in vain.
Day 13 What’s in a name part 4
God is holy in character, in being and his name is holy. We are to come into his presence knowing who he is. The Psalmist states, “the Lord our God is holy.”
The word holy means, “exalted or worthy to complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.” (Merriam-Webster)
We are to give to God praise and reverence (deep respect) for He is worthy of all adoration for our eyes should be fixed on him knowing he is near when we utter his name. (“but our eyes are upon thee.” 2 Chronicles 20 verse 12)
There was a practice in the ancient world used when making copies of the Torah. The Torah is a part of the Hebrew bible the first five books of the old testament. The scribes or the transcribers used a procedure in today’s society that would seem peculiar, showed how important the name of God was. There is one process out of the whole that speaks volumes. The copyists or scribes would wipe the pen and wash their entire bodies and change their clothes before writing the name, Jehovah.
Then, no document containing God’s Word could be destroyed, it would be stored or buried in a hiding place (a genizah) which was a burial ground or temple.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ( in emptiness) is the second commandment. His name has meaning. There is not only reverential fear connected with his name but there is great beauty. Beauty can only be seen through the eyes of a true child of God walking in the ways of God with respect.
In biblical times, anointing someone sets that person apart. Aromatic oil was poured on the person’s head. Some oils used in those days were frankincense, the king of oils best for healing. Myrrh is used in burials as a perfume mixed with aloe to help cover the stench of death. Cassia as in Exodus 30 is good for maintaining physical health and when used with aloes and myrrh as in Psalm 45 verse 8, helps to fragrant garments. These oils are sweet-smelling to the olfactory system, smooth and pleasant.
King Solomon wrote in his song chapter 1 verse 3, his name is as ointment poured forth using the name of the Lord as a simile, a comparison to the sweet smell of oils in those days. It is not enough to know the Lord’s name or to merely speak his name but it goes beyond these points into a profound understanding of the soul drenching beauty of his person, in his name.
God knows his son’s name. The intimacy between the Father and the Son is so strong, so secret to them alone that when a child of God utters his Son’s name in worship, the essence of his Son in that name ascends to God by the Holy Spirit as a divine scent forever peculiar, attractive and pleasant in the nasals of the Father.
Therefore do we love thee. Lord, draw us, we will run after thee. Song of Solomon chapter 1 verse 3 and 4.
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