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There is little argument about who the defining change-agent is in history. There is a reason for this. There is no one who taught the way He did. All other miracle workers in history are lame in comparison. It is one thing to inspire and gather thousands of followers. It is completely another to continue to do so after you have conquered death, raised back to life, spent 40 days appearing to men and women throughout Israel (1 Corinthians 15:6), and returned to your eternal relationship with your Father. Not to mention the reality that Jesus continues to show up in every culture and every century.
The book of Acts is a continuation of the Story the way Luke the physician recorded it. A seemingly endless stream of miracles and teachings. One witness interview after another. Luke was not one of the original 12 disciples. He joined later. It was this Gentile author’s task to tell us the Story of God coming near – and what it did to alter the course of human souls.
We will spend a little time on Acts and then place the letters in the unfolding of this supernatural story. Enjoy!
We now hear from one of Jesus’ closest companions while He lived on the earth. His Mom Mary and His father Joseph and brothers and sisters certainly had a special window into His miraculous life. And His cousin John (the Baptist) must have been interesting at family reunions. Peter, James, and John were close to Him. The twelve. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha – and many others were dear friends.
This is a great Gospel! In Matthew the King comes to the earth in human form through the Father’s promises through the Jewish nation. Mark’s Gospel explodes for the Roman mind: “don’t tell me about the Jewish story – just tell me what He did!” God’s Servant is sacrificed for the sins of the world – for every nation under heaven. Now Luke helps us understand how Jesus is the Deliverer of the souls of both Jews and all the other nations (Gentiles). To do this the God-Man takes upon Himself the suffering of mankind – and arises victorious in His purpose!
The Jewish world was prepared to provide everything needed to bring Messiah into human history. Matthew recounts their story and how it intertwined with the life of Jesus the Nazarene. The book of Mark is designed to communicate the Story to the Roman mind. There was little appreciation for His Jewish roots among Gentile-Romans around the world. “Show me Who He was by telling me what He did! Then I can decide where I stand on Jesus.” Here is a key question: Do His teachings and miracles demonstrate a greatness which supersedes the authority of Rome?