Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, and Forever-Part 1

Welcome to this 4-part series on Jesus Christ: yesterday, today, and forever.

Our focus will first be to show why God had four gospels written. They are all the same good-news story of salvation, but each gospel [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] shows a different aspect of Jesus Christ and what he accomplished in his earthly ministry. That’s the “yesterday” aspect of Jesus’ ministry.

Secondly, we will see who Christ is as lord of all, seated at God’s right hand. That includes how we can walk like him with “Christ in” us as sons of God with the power of the holy spirit. That is the “today” of Jesus Christ’s ministry to help us as we are ambassadors for him.

Thirdly, we will focus on Jesus Christ’s promise to gather together the church; and the future resurrections.  He is our great hope in the future when he comes back for us and we are “forever with the Lord.” That’s the “forever” part of Jesus Christ’s ministry.

Today, we will look at Part 1, Matthew: where Jesus is the Messiah and King over all. We will also see how we can humbly lead others within the body of Christ today. And we will see that God promises future rewards for our diligent leadership–what the Bible calls “crowns,” or garlands of victory.

In Part 2, we will look at Mark: where Jesus is a Servant humbled beneath all. We will also see how we can give our lives in service in the body of Christ. And we will see God’s faithfulness to remember our service done in love.

In Part 3, we will look at Luke: where Jesus is the Son of Adam. We will also see how we can reach out to people on a personal level to win the lost and build disciples. And we will see our hope that our loved ones who are saved will have eternity with us.

In Part 4, we will look at John: where Jesus is the Son of God. We will also see our rights and privileges as sons of God through what Christ has done for us [redeemed, justified, righteous, sanctified]. And we will see our future joy at Christ’s return.

Why Four Gospels

Before we look at Matthew, let’s understand why God had four gospels written. A few years ago, I worked as a cameraman along with three others to produce Bible teachings. Each of our cameras gave different a view of the speaker on stage: one was center, one on the left, one on the right, and one high above.

The video producer had a screen with all four shots and would select the best view for that part of the teaching. In many ways, that is what the gospels are like. They all show the same savior and lord, but they each handle a different “view” of Jesus’ ministry while on earth.

The four gospels give one combined look at the mission and attributes of Jesus Christ. Matthew shows him as the royal Messiah and is contrasted with Mark where he is a lowly servant. These two aspects of Christ are seen in Philippians. I will mention Bible references and you can look them up and follow along if you’d like.

Philippians 2:6-8:
Who [Jesus Christ], being in the form of God [having full authority as the Messiah and King, as in Matthew], thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant [a bonded slave, as in Mark], and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus also had two parents: his mother was the young girl Mary, and God Almighty was Jesus’ literal Father. As the son of Adam, Jesus has the responsibility to judge all other men. And as God’s only-begotten Son, he has his Father’s life and freely offers eternal life to all who believe. Jesus explained his authority as the “Son of man” and as the “Son of the Highest”, born by God’s power.

John 5:25-27:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man [Adam].

The gospel of Luke shows Jesus as a Son of Adam, and the gospel of John declares him to be the Son of God.

Matthew: Jesus Christ Yesterday

Jesus Christ yesterday in Matthew: Jesus is the Messiah and King over all.

One unique feature in each gospel is the background, or genealogy, of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s gospel opens with “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” God promised Abraham that in his seed, the Messiah, all nations would be blessed. God promised David that his “Son” would sit as king on the throne forever.

Jesus is in the physical lineage of Abraham and David through his mother, Mary. Matthew 1:16 says “Joseph, the husband of Mary” in many translations, but the original says “Joseph, the father of Mary.” Jesus is a son of Abraham, who was God’s friend and the father of all who believe. Jesus is also the son of David, who was a man after God’s own heart and the great shepherd-ruler of God’s people.

Matthew speaks of the “kingdom of heaven” more than 30 times, while this is never used once in Mark, Luke, or John. Jesus is the Messiah, God’s promised king. But his kingdom was not an earthly one. He told Pontius Pilate that shortly before his death.

The kingdom of God is spiritual, not physical. The kingdom of God is within. When we confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, we are born again and filled with the holy spirit. Matthew mentions 60 Old Testament scriptures that Jesus fulfilled from the law and the prophets. He is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe in him.

Matthew 9 shows Jesus teaching a group when a lame man is lowered through the roof. As the king of the kingdom, Jesus forgave this man’s sins and brought healing. He loved this man and showed forth His Father’s power. It says that when the multitudes saw this deed, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. God gave His power to His Son.

Matthew: Jesus Christ Today

Jesus Christ rules today as lord over all at God’s right hand. We are on earth and have “Christ in” us [as Colossians 1:27 says], so we can humbly lead others within the body of Christ today. Jesus said the greatest leader is the greatest servant. It is by undergirding others with God’s love and power that we truly lead. Peter said we don’t lord over others, but are examples to the flock. Jesus, like his “father” David, was a shepherd king. He cared for the flock. Paul said that Christian leaders aren’t tyrants over the faith of others, but we are helpers of their joy.

When we lived on Guam, my wife taught high school with a homosexual man. Knowing how spiritually blind a person must be to live that way, I found it challenging to reach out to him. But she saw the great hurt and need in his life and loved him unconditionally. This allowed her to share the good news of Christ that brings deliverance. It is the goodness of God that draws people to repent and seek His help. Jesus Christ showed us how to lead with God’s love. Now we lead others to Christ, who makes available direct access to our heavenly Father.

Matthew: Jesus Christ Forever

Jesus Christ forever is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the lamb that was slain, who rose from the dead. He is worthy above all others. As we faithfully lead ourselves back to the scriptures each day and walk by the holy spirit’s guidance within, we are doing the Father’s will. Then we can lead others by a Christ-like example. And God promises future rewards for our diligent leadership: what the Bible calls “crowns,” or garlands of victory.

• I Corinthians 9:25 speaks of an incorruptible crown as we exercise self control in our leadership.
• I Thessalonians 2:19 says we will have a crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.
• II Timothy 2:5 promises a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give us because we give our all and love his appearing.
• James 1:12 declares that, as we endure temptation in this life, we will receive a crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• And I Peter 5:4 says that when Jesus Christ, the chief Shepherd shall appear, we will be given a crown of glory that will never fade away.

Brothers and sisters, let’s be like our big brother and lord, Jesus Christ. Let’s claim our God-given authority in Christ to lead others to the savior by showing forth God’s power to heal in body, soul, and spirit. Let’s stay humble to do the will of the Father. And let’s rejoice, knowing that our future is bright now and throughout eternity. God bless you.