Welcome to the New Testament; what a great way to begin the week and the fall!

The four Gospels were written decades apart and are not organized chronologically in the Bible. Scholars agree that Mark is the earliest (written in approximately 70 AD, some thirty to forty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus), followed by Matthew (approximately 80 AD), then Luke (approximately late 80's AD), and finally, John (approximately 90 AD). It is important to remember that the Gospels are not the earliest writings of the New Testament. Paul's letters pre-date the gospels by nearly two decades.

Each gospel makes a unique contribution to our understanding of the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Where Mark tells us what Jesus did, Matthew is more focused on what Jesus said. In fact, there are five discourses of Jesus recorded by Matthew (see chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, and 23-25). If you have a red-letter Bible (where all the words of Jesus are printed in red) you will notice immediately the attention Matthew gives to the words of our Lord, especially as compared to the other three gospels.

Pay close attention to where each of the Gospel writers begins the story of Jesus. Matthew begins with a genealogy that goes all the way back to Abraham, and he includes a birth narrative. Only one other Gospel contains a birth narrative; do you know which one?

Facebook Question

Join the discussion on the SPD One Year Bible Read-Along Facebook group page!

It may be tempting to read more quickly now that we have returned to a narrative that is so familiar. Be mindful to listen as you read; slow your pace and wonder: what is God saying to me today in these wonderfully instructive and comforting stories?