Questions answered...

The Prologue:  Matthew 1:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:1-4 ; John 1:1-18:

Matthew 1:1: An account of the genealogy^* of Jesus the Messiah,^* the son of David, the son of Abraham. Mark 1:1: The beginning of the good news^* of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^*  Luke 1:1  Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,  John1:1: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

If you had the opportunity to ask any question of the gospel writers what would it be? Would you like to know what ethical government and community living would look like? Or how about: what is the most valued status to achieve in society or in community? Or how about: what does it mean to be authentically human? Or perhaps your would ask: what would the life of a human being look like if that human being was one with God; fully human and fully divine?  The four gospel writers were exploring these and indeed many other questions that were on the minds and lips of the communities that they were writing to. Matthew is indeed concerned with the state of government that human beings have instituted and the corruption that he sees all around him. He writes about the reality that another way of life and governance is possible. He presents good news about a Kingdom based on the values, attitudes, beliefs and actions made possible in the teachings and practices of Jesus of Nazareth. Mark likewise is announcing a change in values, attitudes, beliefs. The old ways of self-superiority and domination is displaced by the teachings and practices of Jesus. Mark understands the social change that Matthew sees as so central, begins in a total reorientation in personal values to that of seeing life opportunities as those that can be used to serve others and build a kingdom of mutually valuing participants; a place where everyone can belong. Luke is concerned to portray Jesus as an inclusive human being; doing away with the old codes of legalistic behaviour. A new human order is revealed based on the values, attitudes and beliefs of Jesus. In doing so, a new humanity is revealed in Jesus; an authentic humanity based on inclusion. John is a bit different than the others. When we look for answers in John we are directed to the source of all that can be said about anything that is worth speaking about. Jesus is all that can be said about anything that’s worth saying. Jesus is the first and last Word on our questions regarding our lives!  So how is that list of your questions shaping up?