Monday 18 April 2016

How to Apply the Four Gospels

The Synoptic Gospels are like a glimpse inside a cocoon, watching the larva morph through its stages of development until the final imago emerges.

At the first we see the setting is entirely in Judaea; among Jews functioning fully under the Law. Jesus' ministers and teaches among them, in that location, and under that Covenant, which He upheld.

But all along, and much more towards the end, He also spoke of changes coming. Of a new commandment. Of the end of Jerusalem being the required place of worship. Of a new way of worship. We see much of the locale revolving instead around Galilee. Then back in Jerusalem where He was crucified, He made a new testament in His blood, which He said was for many. Then after His resurrection He gave His disciples a new program - a program for all nations.

Luke continues to show the results after the cocoon, in Acts. After Pentecost we see the Apostles' message focusing not so much on how to become better Law-keepers - but on the reality of Christ's resurrection and the purpose of His cross.

Then we see the same good news spreading among the Gentiles. Finally it comes to a head, with the council at Jerusalem - when it is decided categorically that the Gentile believers need not be obligated to become observant of Moses' Law.

It's a message for all nations that the justification, holy-living, salvation, grace, kingdom, resurrection and life which are promised us at Christ's coming, are freely available to us all now, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus - without the observance of the Law.

That's the true good news of the grace of God - the embryo (Promise) which had become a larva (Law, Old Covenant) cocooned (Gospels, when the larva of the Law/Old Covenant was morphing into the adult New Covenant, and the full plan of God was still somewhat sessile even though it was beginning to exarate somewhat) then emerged in full imago and mated and has produced salvation in all the world, fulfilling the promise to Abraham.

And then Jesus will come.

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