St. Andrew’s Cathedral is a glistening church near the southern tip of Singapore. While exiting the sanctuary, worshipers can see four distinct and colorful images in stained glass above the front door.
“They represent the four gospels,” my host told me during a visit to the historic church.
Each image is unique. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are represented as four men with different faces, personalities, and symbols. The same can be said of the four books that bear their names. Each account of Jesus’ time on Earth is a unique story. Yes, there are obvious similarities; they all tell the story of the same Lord, but they tell it from different vantage points. Like four biographers studying the same subject, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit each author penned his own version of Jesus’ story. As Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true” (2 Timothy 3:16). And like good biographers, the different accounts weren’t created to contradict but to complement the others. Together they paint a detailed picture of Jesus, capturing different facets of His life and work.
I’m so grateful for the Bible. It’s a tremendous blessing that God has revealed Himself and His plans to us. I’m not always grateful, however, for the way the Bible is constructed. Sometimes I wish it were simpler, easier for me and more like what I want it to be. (Do you sense a problem there?) But when I saw the windows of St. Andrews, my heart was filled with thankfulness. They reminded me of the power and beauty of God’s Word to us (Psalm 119:89-91).
Thank you, God, for giving us four accounts of Jesus’ work on Earth. Thank you for revealing so much of Yourself to us!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 15:1-16
More:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write with unique voices. Skim the first chapter of each book and note the differences you find.
Next:
Have you ever wished that the Bible was written differently or in a way that was easier for you to understand? Who can you talk to today about what the Bible reveals about God?
Gary Shultz on September 16, 2016 at 6:14 am
Hi Andy, It is a great and wonderful thing that we have been blessed with four gospel books. To me having these four accounts speaks of many different things. First I think it speaks of the importance of Christ’s life, To be illuminated from four vantage points. Again, it gives wholeness and completeness to Christ time here on earth. More, it was never meant to be the same or always say the same thing. The accounts were given as fibers that weave a complete record. If one has never studied each happening from the perspectives of the accounts that record the event you will have, in many cases a very limited view of that event. To combine all converging accounts is to have the view intended and to complete the the picture as a whole. Yes, I guess we could say this is not as simple as we may like, and we may have a more laborious task to uncover truth in Scripture, but would simple make it better? I don’t think so. As we dig deep and bring the truth of God’s word together God speaks. If the script is difficult it is for our benefit, just as prayer is a difficult, concentrative work. I know, you know all of this and I bring no secret to the list; however, we would do well to be reminded that the intention was not always easy, but a deep, rich, unexplainable learning experience about this God who loves us. Thanks Andy
gagirllive on September 16, 2016 at 7:18 am
Sounds like a lovely experience, Andy. I’m so grateful for the Bible too. And the different and complementary viewpoints of the gospels only add to its beauty. How interesting would it be to tell the same stories with the exact same details? God, in His infinite wisdom, working through their different personalities, even gave us this variety. It amazes me how God formed and preserved this canon of scripture that we now have. Where would we be without these precious words of life? Several years ago I purchased a chronological Bible to use as my daily reading plan. It was very helpful and painted a more perfect picture in my mind as to when things occurred. It really helped my understanding about the sequence of events. (I would often get confused about certain timelines, especially in the O.T. concerning the different kings.) Then just a few years ago I saw that The Story came out. It’s another chronological Bible, but this one reads like a novel. There are no book or scripture references in it. It is just written as one seamless story—God’s story—from Creation to the Cross to the Restoration of all things. I know that everyone has their opinion and conviction on different translations and types of Bibles they prefer, but the bottom line is that God has made His word so available and accessible to us, especially in this country (US). Those of us who follow Him are without excuse for drawing near to Him through His word. There is a Bible out there for anyone to read and understand, not discounting our necessary Helper and Revealer of Truth Who brings illumination, the Holy Spirit. God’s story is one story that never gets old. It is relevant in every generation because man is still the same fallen creature in need of redemption. It can never be exhausted in study because its wisdom is limitless. And it is the only story ever written that has the power to convert the soul because it is a Living Word. Thanks for sharing your beautiful experience at St. Andrew’s Cathedral through this wonderful devotional, Andy. Sounds like a nice place to visit. A blessed weekend to you and all my fellow sojourners!
hsnpoor on September 16, 2016 at 7:46 pm
If I may add one more wonder to your commentary about the wonders of the Bible, it’s the only book on earth where the author shows up every time it’s opened!
olivetdeb on September 16, 2016 at 11:37 pm
It’s true! What a great point and awesome truth, hsnpoor!
gagirllive on September 17, 2016 at 8:34 am
Amen, sister!
jef on September 16, 2016 at 8:16 am
God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Looking at this three lives am more inclined and would love to live Isaac’s. No digging of wells just unstopping what Abraham had previously dug. It’s claimed that he even replicated his father’s sin, he had a smooth life comparatively. In our lives we have a little facet in each of these three lives, which we’ll have to be refined till we’re complete.
minkjh on September 16, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Sadly, there are some in the church today that downplay the authority of scripture, often sighting the differences in detail of similar events found in the synoptics. Others continue to compromise the essence of the bible’s divine authorship with church tradition. While the material cause of the Protestant Reformation centered around justification by faith alone (Sola Fide), the formal cause was grounded in the issue of biblical authority (Sola Scriptura). As Andy’s post noted, we have an inspired Word from God, and one that is inerrant and infallible. Let’s make sure we remain grounded in that which God so graciously has given us to guide our faith walk.