The difference between the two choirs
was as wide as the Atlantic Ocean. The
high school concert choir sang almost exclusively a capella. That means they
sang without any accompaniment from piano, organ, guitar or any other musical
instrument. Our choir director was
extremely skilled in leading us in harmony.
Each voice—soprano, alto, tenor and bass harmonized so perfectly with
the others that the parts were often indistinguishable from each other. We sang in as perfect a unity as is humanly
possible but in four different parts.
I enjoy listening to beautiful music
and enjoy favorite soloists and their talents.
But when I hear choirs or other groups that sing in seamless
harmony—four parts as one—the beauty of it brings tears to my eyes.
When talking about a “harmony” of the
Gospels, we mean that all four of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
fit together in perfect unity to tell about Jesus' life and ministry. Each one
presents the life of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasizing or depicting various
aspects of His life and character, yet together presenting His ministry as one
unified complete account. Their unity is
inspired by the Holy Spirit as He directed the human authors to write.
Matthew was one of the twelve disciples, the
tax collector. Mark (John Mark) was the
cousin of Barnabas who was Paul’s companion.
Mark was Peter’s scribe who wrote Peter’s testimony of Jesus’ life. Luke was a Gentile who traveled with the
Apostle Paul. John was the youngest of
the disciples, the brother of James. Specifically,
three of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark and Luke are very similar in how they present
Jesus Christ. These three are often
called the Synoptic Gospels.
Syn=together with Optic=to see. Therefore, the Synoptic Gospels are a summary,
overview, of Jesus’ life. The book of
John, however, is different. John does give some narrative accounts of
events during Jesus’ life, but the book of John focuses more on revealing the
nature of Jesus Christ in His deity.
As we read of Jesus’ life, I hope that you’ll
grow in your love for Him more and more.
May you be thoroughly equipped for every good work, increasing in your
knowledge of God in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
