OCT 31

Ezekiel 1:10
Memorise 1 Chronicles 16:29
"...worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness"

Some scholars explain that there are four Gospels in the NT because each human author had his own unique perspective of Jesus and the events surrounding His earthly ministry. This is true in a general sense, as the Holy Spirit used specially appointed men to pen God’s Word without violating their individual characteristics. However, Ezekiel 1:10 tells us very specifically why this is so.

Ezekiel 1:10 says, “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.” This amazing vision showed Ezekiel the amazing splendour of God’s glory. It also gives us a glimpse into the different facets of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though all four gospels have certain commonalities about Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, they emphasise different aspects of His identity.

The lion represents Christ’s Kingship (Matthew), the ox His Servanthood (Mark), the man His Humanity (Luke) and the eagle His Deity (Gospel according to John). For example, in Matthew 1, Jesus’ genealogy is recorded so that we know His ancestry can be traced back to the royal line of Judah. Jesus also spoke of His enthronement in Matthew 19:28 and 25:31, while in Mark 10:44-45 He said He came not to be ministered unto but to minister (serve). In Luke Jesus’ infancy and boyhood are described in great detail. Here, He is called the Son of man to focus on His humanity. In John 1 Jesus’ deity is revealed in His identity as the Son of God, and indeed, God Himself.

Jesus does not have a “split personality” where one moment He is one person and another person the next. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He had to assume many roles and fulfill them all perfectly in obedience to God the Father and for the benefit of sinners. The four Gospels describe different aspects of one and the same Person, that is, Jesus. Indeed, they can and should be seen as four different parts of the one Gospel. Together they provide us with a richer, fuller and deeper understanding of the life, ministry and message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought: Being King, Servant, Human and God all at the same time is possible only with Jesus, fully God and fully man.
Prayer: O Lord, how I love to worship Thee in the beauty of holiness!