God’s Word gives light for the way.
When a person is reliable, their words are more meaningful.
44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” – John 12:44-50
Jesus heard the voice of Father God, while on earth, and then said what Father God told him to say. John 12:44-50
That those who put their trust in Jesus would be “no longer in the dark,” – John 12:46
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Jesus knew what God has said in the past, the truth found in the Scripture. Jesus showed a priority on what God had said and what God was saying. Jesus quoted the Scripture often. Jesus understood the purpose of the Scripture and used it accordingly.
Jesus speaks to God’s value system, in Matthew 22:37-40 and Mark 12:28-34, when quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.
Jesus pointed people to God’s desire for relationship and God’s heart for mercy, revealed by the prophet Hosea 6:6, in Matthew 9:13, 12:7.
Jesus speaks to God’s value system, in Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34, when quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.
When Jesus revealed his own identity as Messiah, in Luke 4:16-21, he quoted Isaiah 61:1-2.
Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23 when discussing God’s purpose despite the rejection he faced, in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17.
Jesus quoted what God had said when he faced temptation.
Matthew 4:4 Luke 4:4 Deuteronomy 8:3
Matthew 4:7 Luke 4:12 Deuteronomy 6:16
Matthew 4:10 Luke 4:8 Deuteronomy 6:13
What do we learn?
- Jesus valued every word that Father God said.
- It was relevant to His own life on earth.
- Jesus held the Scripture with high value.
- Jesus taught His followers to memorize the Scripture for meditation, prayer, and guidance.
- Jesus knew what it meant. Jesus did not use it out of context. Jesus understood what those words meant to the people who first heard them.
- The followers of Jesus learned from the way that Jesus used the Scripture. In the New Testament, we read examples of them doing the same.
What should we do?
- Read the Scripture in conversation with God.
- Share the journey.
In 2021, we will offer a reading plan that we can all share. Reading about a chapter each day we can read through the New Testament. Starting January 1st and finishing December 31st it will be a shared journey. Our Life Groups and Sundays will become more collaborative as we will discuss what we are reading.