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Introduction:
As we look across the religious landscape of our modern world, we
see all kinds of differences. People worship differently. People
teach differently. People believe differently. We could argue over
thousands of different opinions on thousands of different topics.
But almost without fail when the discussion is pushed to its root
source, the ultimate difference that causes all the others is what
are we actually supposed to do with the Bible? Is it merely a love
letter from God? Is it a pattern for life? Does it only condemn
what is wrong? Does it provide authorization for what is right?
How does it teach us what to do? What exactly should we do with
the Scriptures? As followers of Christ, we realize one natural way
to answer this question is to see how Jesus used the scriptures.
Examine some of the passages in the Gospel accounts to learn how
Jesus did and how we should use the Scriptures. Discussion: I.
Jesus viewed the Scripture as authoritative. A.
In John
10:35, Jesus said, “Scripture cannot be broken” (ESV).
The word translated “broken” (“luo”) refers to something
that has been unbound, loosed, broken or deprived of authority.
For instance in Matthew
5:19, the word “relaxes” (ESV) or “annuls” (NASU)
is translated by the same word. Jesus’ point was that the
Scripture is always binding. It is always authoritative. It is
always the governing document and it is never wrong. B.
I think this is particularly interesting considering the
passage Jesus is discussing in John
10:35. Jesus quotes Psalm
82:6. In which God spoke to the judges of Israel and
called them “gods.” Let’s face it, for a monotheistic
culture that can’t handle someone coming into the world as the
Son of God, this had to be a troubling passage. Further, when
every other passage in the Old Law declares that there are no gods
but Jehovah alone, this passage seems to be contradictory on the
surface. Yet, Jesus recognizes that this passage is just as
authoritative as all others. Why? Because it is Scripture and
Scripture cannot be broken. Thus, the Jews could not simply get
rid of this verse because its surface message didn’t fit with
their outlook. Rather, they had to figure out how it fit with
everything else. C.
Some folks believe the Scriptures were merely one
community’s view of God and how they related to Him. We,
however, must see the Scriptures as authoritative. II
Peter 1:20-21 explains Scripture was not a man’s opinion
or even a community’s opinion. It is the revelation of God. Scripture
is, therefore, binding, unbreakable. No matter what we think of
any particular verse, whether it fits with our preconceived
notions or not, we must view the Scripture as the final say on all
matters. Our think-sos don’t matter. Our ideas and notions
don’t count. What God said on the matter through Scripture is
what holds true on all issues. We must view the Scriptures as the
final authority on matters of life and service to God. II.
Jesus believed the Scriptures governed His life. A.
In Matthew
4:3, Satan tempted Jesus saying, “If you are the Son of
God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (ESV).
Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy
8:3: “Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by
every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (ESV). The
point of Jesus’ response was to demonstrate that He refused to
rely on His own strength or power but relied on the Word of God. B.
However, the interesting point for us to note is this
Scripture was written about 1500 years before Jesus lived. It was
written to a completely different culture in a different time.
Yet, for some reason, Jesus still believed the Scripture
established a pattern for His life. Jesus did not believe the
Scriptures were merely a love letter letting all Jews know how
much God loved them. He believed the Scriptures governed His life.
He was not allowed to act unless the Scripture authorized it. We
live based on the Word of God. C.
Some folks claim we shouldn’t be too dogmatic with what
the Bible says. After all, it was written to a different culture
in a different time and we can’t allow our lives to be hindered
by the provincial thinking of those unenlightened communities.
However, we must be like Jesus. Though the Bible was completed
nearly 2000 years ago, it is still the Word of God. It still
governs our lives. We must use it as a guide and pattern for how
we will live. III.
Jesus believed the Scriptures should unite us in our
disagreements. A.
In Matthew
19:3, some Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful for a
man to divorce his wife for any reason. Historically, we are told
they were bringing up a long time controversy between two schools
of thought. The school of Hillel allowed divorce for any reason.
The school of Shammai only allowed it for the cause of adultery.
The two schools had debated for some time. The Pharisees came to
stump Jesus by trying to get Him embroiled in this controversy. No
matter how He answered, He would upset someone. B.
However, we are not so concerned today with His answer as
we are with the basis for His answer. In Matthew
19:4-5, Jesus quoted Genesis
2:24. Jesus believed He could turn to book, chapter and
verse to end disputes. He did not offer opinion. He did not offer
the pop-psychology of the day. He did not offer the majority
opinions. He simply said, “Here is the Scripture—God joined
the married. If God joins the married, who is man to think he can
separate them?” C.
Sadly, the Bible is often missing from modern spiritual
debate. We hear about what preachers have said. We hear about what
the majority thinks. We hear about modern views among scholars and
professors. We hear ideas and opinions. We hear what people are
convinced God will think about particular issues. Rarely, however,
do we hear, “Here is the book, chapter and verse about what God
thinks.” Whatever discussion we are in, we need to bring the
Bible in and base our answer upon it. That is what Jesus did. IV.
Jesus believed the Scriptures could be misused, but must be
used properly. A.
In Matthew
4:6, Satan tempted Jesus a second time saying that Psalm
91:11-12 taught that God would protect His servant from
harm. The verse does in fact say God will charge His angels to
take care of His servant and keep him from striking his foot
against a stone. However, Satan had taken this verse out of its
Biblical context. Jesus responded saying, “It is written
again.” That is, “In another scripture we find a principle
that modifies what Psalm
91:11-12 says.” Jesus then cited Deuteronomy
6:16, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the
test.” That is to say, “Certainly, God has said He will
protect His servants. However, we are not to specifically put
ourselves in harm’s way to test God’s faithfulness to His
word.” B.
The real point for us is that Satan misused Scripture and
Jesus called Him on it. Jesus believes Scripture should govern our
lives. Jesus believes Scripture applies to our lives. Jesus
believes Scripture can answer our questions. However, He also
believes we have to use it correctly to accomplish all these
goals. People can misapply Scripture. People can misunderstand
Scripture. However, we are responsible to make sure we are using
it correctly. C.
From this exchange we learn two similar principles about
how Jesus used Scripture. The first principle is that we cannot
base our opinions on one passage from Scripture. Rather, we must
take everything the Scripture says. Our understanding from one
passage must harmonize with all other Scriptures. The second
principle is we must use Scripture as our primary source for
interpreting Scripture. Jesus didn’t cite the Jewish scholars’
opinions on Psalm
91:11-12. He didn’t discuss what everyone thought about
the passage. He turned to another passage in Scripture to provide
greater understanding. Again, Jesus demonstrated that the ultimate
authority and guide for us, answering all our questions about
serving God is the Scripture and the Scripture alone. V.
Jesus used the Scriptures provide authorization for work
and action. A.
In Matthew
12:2, the Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of doing
what was unlawful or unauthorized. Jesus did not respond that
authorization was unnecessary. He did not ask, “Where did God
condemn what they are doing?” Instead, He turned to the
Scriptures to establish authority for their actions. Jesus
believed He should be able to show Scriptural authority for acting
and working. In fact, as we look at how Jesus used Scripture, we
find that He used three different means to establish His authority
to act and work. 1.
Jesus believed the Scriptures authorized Him to act through
Direct Statement. In Matthew
4:9, Satan offered Jesus to rule all the nations of the
world if He would merely worship Satan. But Jesus knew what was
commanded and authorized. He knew what Deuteronomy
6:13 said, “It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him
you shall serve…” (ESV). By Direct Statement fearing,
worshipping, serving Jehovah God was authorized and nothing else. 2.
Jesus believed the Scriptures authorized Him to act through
Approved Example. In Matthew
12:3-5, when Jesus responded to the Pharisees who accused
His disciples of breaking the Sabbath because they plucked heads
of grain to eat, Jesus cited the example of David eating the bread
of the Presence that was not lawful for him to eat and also cited
that the priests worked on the Sabbath. Granted, we have an awful
lot of debate about Jesus’ specific point in this passage.
However, one thing is absolutely clear. When Jesus wanted to
demonstrate that what His disciples were doing was authorized, He
turned to examples found in Scripture. 3.
Jesus believed the Scriptures authorized Him to act through
Necessary Inference. Many folks today despise this terminology.
When I discuss Biblical authority with brethren, this is always
the principle they hone in on to repudiate. Yet, this is actually
the principle we see Jesus use the most as He offers authorization
or discusses Scripture. Consider Matthew
12:9-14. In this passage, Jesus demonstrates that with all
the laws about the Sabbath, there is a necessary inference that
saving a life is allowed on the Sabbath. If saving the life of a
sheep is allowed on the Sabbath, how can healing a man be any less
so. That is necessary inference. Also, in Mark
7:9-13, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for violating God’s
commandment. He did so based on Necessary Inference. All the
Scripture said was honor father and mother. I have yet to find a
passage that said children were to take care of their aging
parents. However, Jesus inferred necessarily that taking care of
parents was part of honoring Father and Mother. Jesus actually
viewed this Necessary Inference as a command. Consider also Matthew
19:6. Jesus restricted divorce based on an inference from
the text. There is no text that says man is not to separate what
God has joined together. But Jesus viewed it as a natural
inference from the stated principle. God joined the married
couple, man did not. Therefore only God is to separate the married
couple, man is not to do so. B.
Interestingly, a lot of people, especially among the
younger generations are rejecting the three principles we have
just seen Jesus use. As I recently heard brother Shane Scott point
out, perhaps one of the problems we have today is we have acted
like these three principles were inscribed on a rock somewhere and
handed to us as the prescribed way for using the Bible. That is
not the case. Rather, as we study Scripture, we see this is how
Jesus and His servants used the Scripture, so we have determined
to do the same thing. VI.
Jesus used the Scripture to rebuke those in error. A.
Finally, folks today will tell us that we should only ever
use the Scripture to determine what we will do. We should not
rebuke or reprove others but simply let them study for themselves.
Some will even strive to use the Biblical teaching of
congregational autonomy to support their view. However, in Matthew
15:8-9, Jesus used Isaiah
29:13 to rebuke the Pharisees who had dismissed the
commands of God in favor of their traditions.
Further, in Matthew
22:29, Jesus rebuked the Sadducees because they did not
know the Scriptures and therefore did not base their teaching on
the Scriptures. B.
As Paul said in II
Timothy 3:16, the Scriptures reprove and correct us. When
we see someone is wrong based on Scripture, we should use the
Scripture to reprove and correct them. Of course, this does not
mean we are to be busybodies trying to hunt down everyone who is
doing something wrong. However, it does mean when we see someone
doing wrong or talk with someone we believe is wrong based on
Scripture, then we should use the Scripture to teach them so. We
are not to sit back and say we all just get to do whatever we
want. Conclusion: Jesus believed the Scripture was His guide. No doubt, He knew based on Scripture that God loved Him. However, first and foremost, He viewed the Scripture as a pattern for His life and service to God. We should do the same whether we are talking about the work of the congregation or our individual lives. Let us learn the Scripture that we may not be rebuked by Jesus in the end and let us use the Scripture to determine how we should live. When we do that, then we are really following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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