In the religious faith, Jesus is the central figure, and his identity and role are multifaceted. This is not only reflected in the Bible, but also in the portrayal of him in the four Gospels. The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—reveal the four identities of Jesus for us. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of these four identities of Jesus and give corresponding cases.
First, the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes Jesus' kingship. In describing Jesus' life, Matthew repeatedly mentions his conflicts with Jewish leaders and the authority he exercised. This shows that Jesus was the King who revealed the kingdom of God. Kinghood means that Jesus has authority and dominion to reveal God's kingdom and lead people to God. For example, in the account of the exorcism of unclean spirits, Jesus shows his kingship by exercising authority to drive unclean spirits into the herd of pigs.
Next, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus' servantship. In his description of Jesus, Mark repeatedly mentions his service to the people, such as healing the sick and burying Lazarus. This shows that Jesus served as a servant. Servanthood means that Jesus is willing to serve people and his role is to bring healing and comfort to people. For example, in the account of the burial of Lazarus, Jesus shows his status as a servant by going to the holy places of the Jews to fight death, regardless of his own safety.
Furthermore, the Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Son of Man. Luke emphasized Jesus' humanity when he described his deeds. He depicts the image of Jesus as the Son of Man from childhood to adulthood, and the way He interacts with people. The identity of the Son of Man means that Jesus has a full humanity and that his role is to make people aware of God's love and mercy. For example, in the account of Christmas, Luke depicts Jesus' birth as a man, emphasizing his identity as the Son of Man.
Finally, the Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus' priesthood. In his account of Jesus, John mentions many times that he prayed and sacrificed for the people. This shows that Jesus was a priest who built bridges between people and God. The implication of priesthood is that Jesus provides connection and shelter for people in their relationship with God, and his role is to guide people to God's love and mercy. For example, at the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and instituted the Lord's Supper, which shows his priesthood.
To sum up, the four Gospels reveal the four identities of Jesus: King, Servant, Son of Man, and Priest. These identities do not exist in isolation, but are intertwined and corroborated by each other. By gaining a deeper understanding of these four identities of Jesus, we can gain a more complete understanding of His character and attributes, and thus better receive God's love and grace. At the same time, they remind us how we should imitate Jesus and worship and serve God with humility, love, and devotion.