This is part of the Crossroads programme offered by the South African Theological Seminary. It is the second lesson in the CR survey of the New Testament, discussing the four gospels and their portrayals of Christ.

2. Jesus’ Life and Legacy
2. The Life of Christ

3. Lesson Outline
1. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
2. Analysis of Christ’s Life
3. Synthesis of Christ’s Life

4. Synopsis of Christ’s Life

5. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
1. Preparation Pre-Ministry
• Genealogy
• Birth and childhood
• Forerunner
• Baptism
• Anointing
• Temptation

6. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
1. Preparation
2. Popularity
Public Ministry
• Preaching, teaching,
healing, casting out
demons
• Ministering to the
masses

7. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
1. Preparation
2. Popularity
3. Persecution
Private Ministry
• Conflict escalates
• Individual instruction
• Prepares the
disciples

8. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
1. Preparation
2. Popularity
3. Persecution
4. Passion
Crisis
• Jesus dies
• Jesus rises

9. Synopsis of Christ’s Life
Preparation Passion

10. Analysis of Christ’s Life

11. Analysis of Christ’s Life
The New Testament gives us a four-fold picture
of Christ. The four faces of Christ are found in
the four gospel accounts—Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John. They represent him as King, Servant,
Saviour, and Son.

12. Analysis of Christ's Life
1. Matthew portrays Christ as the Messiah King, writing
mainly to Jewish readers.

13. Analysis of Christ's Life
1. Matthew portrays Christ as the Messiah King, writing
mainly to Jewish readers.
2. Mark portrays Christ as the Suffering Servant, writing
mainly to Roman readers.

14. Analysis of Christ's Life
1. Matthew portrays Christ as the Messiah King, writing
mainly to Jewish readers.
2. Mark portrays Christ as the Suffering Servant, writing
mainly to Roman readers.
3. Luke portrays Christ as the Saviour of the world, the
perfect man; he wrote mainly to Greeks.

15. Analysis of Christ's Life
1. Matthew portrays Christ as the Messiah King, writing
mainly to Jewish readers.
2. Mark portrays Christ as the Suffering Servant, writing
mainly to Roman readers.
3. Luke portrays Christ as the Saviour of the world, the
perfect man; he wrote mainly to Greeks.
4. John portrays Christ as the Son of God; his gospel is
universal, written to all people.

16. MATTHEW
The Gospel of

17. The Facts about Matthew
Author
Date
Readers
Portrait
Purpose
Matthew Levi
AD 61
Jews
Messiah King
Convert Jews
FACTS

18. The Form of Matthew
1. Revelation of the King (1-10)
2. Rebellion against the King (11-13)
3. Retirement of the King (14-20)
4. Rejection of the King (21-27)
5. Resurrection of the King (28)
FORM

19. The Features of Matthew
• The teaching of Jesus
• The fulfillment of prophecy
• The Son of David
• The kingdom of heaven
• The church of Christ
FEATURES

20. MARK
The Gospel of

21. The Facts about Mark
Author
Date
Readers
Portrait
Purpose
John Mark (via Peter)
AD 65
Romans
Suffering Servant
Encourage persecuted Roman
Christians
FACTS

22. The Form of Mark
1. Presentation of the Servant
2. Opposition to the Servant
3. Instruction by the Servant
4. Rejection of the Servant
5. Resurrection of the Servant
FORM

23. The Features of Mark
• The servant of the Lord
• The works of Jesus
• The cost of discipleship
FEATURES

24. LUKE
The Gospel of

25. The Facts about Luke
Author
Date
Readers
Portrait
Purpose
Luke the doctor
AD 61
Greeks
Saviour of the World
Accurate account of Jesus’ life
and work
FACTS

26. The Form of Luke
1. Preparation of the Saviour (1:1-2:52)
2. Presentation to the Saviour (3:1-4:15)
3. Ministry of the Saviour (4:16-9:50)
4. Mission of the Saviour (9:51-19:27)
5. Passion of the Saviour (19:28-23:56)
6. Resurrection of the Saviour (24:1-53)
FORM

27. The Features of Luke
• History
• Salvation
• Holy Spirit
• Gentiles
• Social Justice
FEATURES

28. JOHN
The Gospel of

29. The Facts about John
Author
Date
Readers
Portrait
Purpose
John the apostle
AD 85
Everyone
Son of God
Lead people to faith in Christ
FACTS

30. The Form of John
1. Period of consideration
2. Period of controversy
3. Period of conflict
4. Period of crisis
5. Period of conference
6. Period of consummation
FORM

31. The Features of John
• The Son of God
• The signs of deity
• The conflict of faith
• The feasts in Jerusalem
FEATURES

32. Synthesis of Christ’s Life

33. Synthesis of Christ’s Life
JohnLukeMarkMatt.
Son
Human
Signs
Saviour
Greek
Spirit
Servant
Roman
Suffering
Sovereign
Jewish
Sayings

34. Conclusion

35. Summary
1. In all four gospel accounts, Jesus’ life goes
through four stages: preparation, popularity,
persecution, and passion.
2. The four gospels emphasise different sides of
Jesus’ nature: Matthew portrays him as King,
Mark as Servant, Luke as Saviour, and John as
Son.