Marriage supper of the Lamb

Marriage supper of the Lamb [∞]

If we’re talking about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb as a banquet, it must be an explosion of doctrine that transforms understanding, not just a series of small revelations. In the context of biblical history, there is one moment that stands out as the explosive unveiling of doctrine: the Sermon on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Let’s dive deeper:

The Explosion of Doctrine: The Road to Emmaus

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "opened the Scriptures" to them, showing how all the Old Testament pointed to Him. This event was pivotal because:

A Hermeneutical Key Was Given:

Jesus revealed the hidden meanings (sensus plenior) in the Scriptures, explaining how the Law, Prophets, and Writings (Tanakh) were fulfilled in Him.

This was the first time the disciples were explicitly taught to see Christ in all of Scripture, unlocking layers of meaning previously unseen.

The Holy Spirit Would Later Expand This Understanding:

After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit continued to remind and teach the disciples (John 14:26), enabling them to write the Gospels and epistles with this deeper understanding.

This doctrinal explosion resulted in the New Testament, where the shadowy doctrines of the Old Testament were clarified in the light of Christ.

The Ripple Effect Through the Early Church:

This revelation spread rapidly as the apostles taught and wrote. The doctrines of grace, justification by faith, the inclusion of Gentiles, and the nature of the Church as the bride of Christ all stemmed from this foundational unveiling.

Why Emmaus Was the Banquet

Comprehensive: It encompassed the entirety of Scripture, not just isolated truths.

Transformative: The disciples went from confusion and sorrow to burning hearts and joy (Luke 24:32).

Explosive Impact: The apostles began proclaiming Christ boldly, transforming the world.

This event was THE doctrinal explosion, setting the stage for the entire Church age. The "banquet" began here, and its effects continue as believers partake of this doctrine.

The Marriage Supper in Light of Emmaus

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is best understood as beginning with this explosion of doctrine. The invitation went out as Christ revealed Himself in Scripture, and the banquet continues as His people learn and grow in understanding.

The Road to Emmaus teaching wasn’t just a one-time event but the launchpad for the disciples’ lifelong work of unpacking the Scriptures. Let’s explore how this framework ties into the development of the Gospels as reflections of their growing understanding of the sensus plenior of Scripture.

The Gospels as Stages of Doctrinal Development

The Sermon on the Road as the Genesis of Hermeneutics:

Jesus gave the disciples the method to interpret the Old Testament in light of Himself. They didn’t instantly comprehend the full breadth of it but began to piece it together over time.

The disciples, inspired by this teaching, would have gone back to the Scriptures repeatedly, uncovering more shadows and types of Christ.

Mark’s Gospel – A Starting Point:

Mark begins with John the Baptist, reflecting the initial understanding that Jesus’ public ministry started with His baptism (Mark 1:1–11). This shows an early grasp of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 40:3).

Mark’s account is concise and action-driven, focusing on the core message of the Gospel rather than delving into deeper shadows, which the disciples may not yet have fully grasped.

Matthew’s Gospel – A Revelation of Israel as a Shadow:

As the disciples studied, they began to see how Jesus fulfilled the story of Israel itself: He was the new Moses, the true Israel, and the heir of Abraham's promise.

Matthew reflects this growth by starting with Abraham (Matthew 1:1) and emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, showing His lineage and covenantal significance.

Luke’s Gospel – A Broader Horizon:

Further study revealed that Jesus’ significance extended beyond Abraham to all humanity. Luke begins his genealogy with Adam (Luke 3:38), connecting Jesus to the first man and emphasizing His role as the Savior for all people.

Luke also reflects a more universal perspective, likely tailored to his Gentile audience, while still tying Jesus’ ministry deeply into the Jewish Scriptures.

John’s Gospel – A Mastery of Sensus Plenior:

John, steeped in Hebrew thought and word formations, saw profound layers of Christ in the opening words of Genesis: “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1).

His Gospel reflects the culmination of decades of study and contemplation, where the disciples had unpacked the deeper, mystical meanings of Scripture and recognized Christ as the Word, the Light, and the Creator.

The Differences Between the Gospels

Evolving Understanding:

The disciples' grasp of Christ’s fulfillment of Scripture deepened over time. Each Gospel reflects what had been uncovered at different stages of their journey.

Cultural Adaptations:

The Greek-speaking church lacked the linguistic and cultural background to appreciate the nuances of Hebrew word formations and riddles. Elements that were too difficult or potentially harmful when taken literally (e.g., the long ending of Mark) were adjusted or omitted.

Progressive Revelation:

As their understanding grew, the disciples saw earlier writings not as complete but as stepping stones. Each Gospel revised and expanded upon the last to reflect the fuller revelation of Christ.

The Gospels as a Reflection of Emmaus

The Gospels collectively serve as a reproduction of the hermeneutic method taught by Jesus. They demonstrate how the disciples worked through the Scriptures, step by step, to see Christ in every shadow, type, and prophecy.

The progression mirrors their journey of learning, beginning with immediate, surface-level connections (Mark) and advancing to the deepest, most profound insights (John).

Conclusion

The idea that the Gospels evolved as the disciples learned and applied the hermeneutic taught on the Road to Emmaus provides a compelling lens through which to view their composition. Each Gospel reflects a stage of discovery, shaped by ongoing study of the Scriptures and the challenges of communicating these truths to a Greek-speaking audience. This process not only highlights the explosive doctrinal revelation that began at Emmaus but also underscores the dynamic, unfolding nature of understanding Christ as the fulfillment of all Scripture.