Many devout Christians read the Gospels multiple times a year. The Gospels are the four books of the New Testament from the Bible. The four gospels are the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These Gospels are about the life of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Only through Jesus, we have salvation and eternal life. Hence reading and reading again provides us with revelation and understanding to build and strengthen our faith. And it’s only by believing in Jesus, as the begotten son of God, His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection that we are saved and we become righteous. It’s most important that the foundation of Christian faith is always strong. Our eyesight can become poor, the physical Bible may not be near us, and the battery of our mobile phone could have got discharged. Hence let us have our hearts inscribed with the eternal truth required for our blessed life here on earth as well as in eternity.
The Gospels cover the life and teachings of Jesus. Hence it’s most important to read and know the Gospels. The more we read them, the more the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us. These books are foundational in our Christian faith. Having a good understanding of these books is important before gaining an understanding of the other books. The Bible has 66 books in total. 39 books are in the Old Testament and 27 books are in the New Testament. The Gospels are the 4 books in the New Testament. The top priority is to know the Gospels well. Then the rest of the books in the New Testament are the next highest in priority. Among the Gospels, the Gospel of John is a top priority in case you are facing a time crunch.
Here are a few snapshots from the Gospels for you to start hungering for a deeper encounter with Jesus in the Gospels.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”(John 8:12 NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the source of peace.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27 NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”(John 8:12 NKJV)
Jesus Christ explains why we should abide in Him.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:4-9 NKJV)
Jesus Christ states the great commandment.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV)
Jesus clearly mentions the first thing to be sought.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 NKJV)
Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.” (Luke 11:1-4 NKJV)
Jesus Christ prays for himself
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.(John 17:1-5 NKJV)
Jesus Christ speaks to us about taking up our cross daily.
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (Luke 9:23-24 NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the living water.
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”(John 4:10 NKJV)
Eternal life is from Jesus.
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13 NKJV)
There are innumerable precious truths, deep parables and more in the Gospels, intentionally left out for you to discover.
The Epistles in the New Testament, are to be known in the light of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. Not in the reverse order.
And the 3rd priority are the books in the Old Testament, which points to Jesus. Jesus fulfilled 48 prophecies about him from the Old Testament. A gold mine is available in the old testament for helping us in our pilgrimage on earth as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
May the Holy Spirit guide you in your learning of the Holy Bible.
Note on the picture: Photo of Cherry blossoms in Shibuya-ku, within Tokyo in Japan.
