2. The Gospels.

Introduction.

The word Gospel (from god and spell) means good message or news. This name designates

the first four books of the New Testament which narrate the life and teachings of the incarnate

Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ — all He did to establish a virtuous way of life on

earth and to save sinful mankind.

Jesus Christ said to His contemporaries: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father”

(John 14:9). Until the coming of the Son of God on earth, people perceived God as the

almighty Creator, the stern Judge residing in unapproachable glory. Jesus Christ gave us a

new understanding of God: that of a close, compassionate, and loving Father. Truly, all of

Christ’s features, His every word and gesture were permeated with unending compassion. He

was as a physician amongst the sick. People, sensing His love for them, were attracted to Him

by the thousands. No one ever heard a refusal. Christ ministered to all. He cleansed the

conscience of sinners, healed the weak and the blind, comforted the despairing, and exorcised

those possessed by demons. And simultaneously, when the circumstances required, He

displayed His divine and sovereign power. Then, everything — nature and the death itself —

obeyed His almighty Word.

Through this booklet, we will acquaint the reader with the times and circumstances in

which the Gospels were written and will introduce selected teachings of our Savior. It is our

goal that the reader will delve more deeply into the life and teachings of our Savior, because

the more we read the Gospels, the stronger our faith becomes and the more clearly we see the

purpose of our earthly existence. Also as we acquire more experience in spiritual matters, we

begin to perceive more obviously the nearness of our Savior. Then He truly becomes our

Good Shepherd Who leads us toward salvation.

Especially in our time, when we hear and read about so many contradicting and

unfounded opinions, it would be wise to make the Gospels our reference book. Indeed, while

all other books contain the opinions of mere mortals, the Gospels reveal to us the eternal

Truth.