Different Viewpoints, Same Mission – The Gospels
Earlier this week, I wrote a post about perspectives. The lens with which we choose to see our circumstances through, wildly impacts our response to it.
I was helping Mazy study for her Bible test and it was on the 4 gospels in the Bible – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The first 3 books are considered the “synoptic” gospels because they share similar views, perspectives, and also share many of the same stories, just from different vantage points. What’s interesting though, is that even though these books are very similar, they actually were written at different times – not all in the same timespan. Similar, but not exact. They also had different occupations – Luke was a physician, Matthew, a tax collector, and Mark, a missionary. That is why when you compare the three books, yes they are similar, but they also have differences. Luke doesn’t include the story of Jesus walking on water. And it’s only Matthew who goes into detail about Peter walking on water. Interesting, huh? Similar experiences, different take-aways.
Think about when Jesus came to earth. Some recognized him, while others did not and in fact, crucified him because they hated Him that much. Think about Noah – imagine the vantage point of being on the ark and then walking in the footsteps of those who weren’t and later killed in the flood. Same story, different perspectives and experiences.
The point I’m trying to get at is how we see something could be completely different than how our neighbor sees something. Often times, Dan would accompany me to “big” medical appointments because I only heard what I wanted to hear or would get stuck on something that was said, and later, Dan could help me understand the bigger picture, of what was REALLY said. Like when I was getting tested to have a bone marrow transplant, according to statistics, with all of my health issues, my doctor said I had a 40% chance of dying. I got a bit stuck on that. But on the other hand, I also had a 60% chance of living. It was all how I viewed it.
One thing I have learned while experiencing many world events, is that it is important to get the full picture. Otherwise we see what we want to see and ignore what we want to ignore, if it doesn’t fit our own narrative. No longer can we turn our TVs on, get the rabbit ears with aluminum foil on them just right, to get the full picture. News channels now share what they want to share. Social media shares what they want to share. Photos taken out of context. Words taken out of context. Each person, having a different viewpoint.
So where does this leave us? How do we pair what’s happening in the world with what our mission here is on earth? I know it seems like such a generalized conclusion, but what truly matters is if those around us know Christ. This is not our home, nor is it the home of those around us. So how are we living? As permanent citizens here or as sojourners through this weary world, knowing that our hope is in CHRIST alone? What matters is if we personally know Christ and are living out salvation in our own lives and whether our neighbor knows Christ. The gospels set forth our mission in this life, so beautifully:
The book of Matthew ends with the great commission, which is to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark ends this way: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.“
Luke says: “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Different viewpoints, but same mission – a desire for people to KNOW and ACCEPT Christ as their Savior so that we can worship Him forever.
We can all have different perspectives on the events of the world and try to formulate what we want to “see” in them. But in the end, what is our MISSION? To proclaim Christ to the ends of the earth. If Christ were to come today, would we recognize him? Am I ready? Are you ready? Are our decisions, words, actions, and reactions, a reflection of Christ in our every day living? Do those around us see Christ in us and a desire for others to know Him as well? Even though the gospels may have different vantage points in their experience, it didn’t change their mission – for Christ to be known to the world. May that be our mission too.