by Sean P. Cavender | via the Bald Knob Builder
It is amazing to hear so many people talk about loving Jesus and how they follow Him, and in the same breath disparage the Bible. It is amazing, but it is no surprise. Denominations denigrate Scripture continually. If it disagrees with them, they claim that times have changed. If it condemns them, they say the writer was just a radical anyway. If an epistle contradicts their doctrine, they say, âWell, Jesus never said that.â Even publishers have gotten into the act, for why else would they put Jesusâ words in red? Is the entire thing not the Word of God?
If we are going to follow the Lord, then we need to use Scripture the same way He did. How did Jesus view it? How did He use it?
He knew life came from the Word of God. âMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Godâ (Matthew 4:4). Jesus was quoting from the Old Law (Deuteronomy 8:3). The lesson for them was the same lesson Jesus was proclaiming to the devil himself, spiritual life comes through Godâs Word. They are the Words of life (John 6:68). They sustain us. They furnish us. They equip up, as Jesus told the devil 3 times, âIt is written.â
He appreciated the smallest of details in Godâs Word. In Matthew 5:18 He speaks of the importance of the âjotâ and âtittleâ which are the smallest of flourishes in written Hebrew. Jesus is saying that the smallest of details of Godâs
Word are still binding. For an example, in Matthew 22:32, Jesusâ whole argument is based upon the tense of the verb. It was not a question of semantics. Jesus respected the tiniest detail of Scripture, so we should do the same.
He recognized Godâs Word to be literal and true. Many would discount Jonahâs fish, or Noahâs boat, or Adam and Eve altogether. Jesus referenced all of them, recognizing them as truth and used them to build His teaching.
He answered questions with Godâs Word. When Jesus was asked about divorce, Jesus did not offer His opinion. He went to Godâs word (Matthew 19:4). It is not wrong to ask questions, for even Jesus did as a 12-year old, but Godâs Word is where the answers are found. Rather than appeal to emotion and opinion, Jesus simply said, âHave you not readâ¦â
He believed in the inspiration by the Holy Spirit. Jesus affirmed Davidâs inspiration (Matthew 22:43). Jesus often quoted or referenced various prophets from times past. He recognized Godâs Word for what it was. It originated from God, not from man.Â
He knew the revelation of Godâs Word would be completed. He told the Apostles, âWhen He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truthâ (John 16:13). Jesus was recognizing that Godâs will would be, âonce for all delivered to the saintsâ (Jude 3). The perfect would come (1 Corinthians 13:10), it has been written down, and we may understand it (Ephesians 3:3-4).
If we are going to follow Christ, then we must follow Him in how He used and viewed the Bible, and rightly so, since He is the Word (John 1:1). He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:40), and we must do the same. He searched the Scriptures (Luke 4:17), and we need to as well. How do you view Godâs word? Is it something for preachers and scholars, but not for you? Hopefully not. God is speaking to you.