Tuesday: Jesus and All Scripture
Read Luke 24:13-35, Luke 24:44-45. How does Jesus use the Scriptures to teach the disciples the gospel message?
After the death of Christ, His followers were confused and in doubt. How could this have happened? What did it mean? In this chapter of Luke, we see that Jesus appears to them twice, first to two who are on the road to Emmaus, and then to others later.
Image © Lifeway Colletion at Goodsalt.com
On two separate occasions, Jesus explains how all has been fulfilled from the Old Testament prophecies: “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27, RSV).
Again in Luke 24:44-45, He says, “These are my words … that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled” (RSV). Jesus then “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (RSV).
Note the specific reference in Luke 24:27 to “all the scriptures”. This is reemphasized in the second passage as the “law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms” (Luke 24:44, RSV). This establishes clearly that Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:1-3, John 1:14), relies on the authority of Scripture to explain how these things were foretold hundreds of years earlier. By referring to the totality of Scripture, Jesus is teaching the disciples by example. As they go forth to spread the gospel message, they too were to expound all Scripture to bring understanding and power to the new converts throughout the world.
Notice, too, how in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says to His disciples then (and to us today) that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (RSV). But that authority remains rooted in His Father and the entire Godhead, for He says to them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (RSV). Then comes the key passage: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (RSV). What does Jesus teach and command? His teachings are based on all of Scripture. It is upon the prophetic authority of the Word that He came, and it is in fulfillment of the prophecies in Scripture that He submitted to His Father.
| If Jesus accepts all of Scripture, why must we do the same? Again, how can we learn to accept the authority of all Scripture, even when we realize that not everything is still necessarily applicable to us today? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath. |
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When you do a lot of photography like I do you learn a lot about lenses and focus. Apart from birds, I spend a lot of time photographing insects and, much to Carmel's disgust, spiders. To get a good photograph of a spider I have to cool it down so that it does not move and then take a series of photographs, each with a slightly different focus, Then I blend all the photographs together so that I have a picture of the whole spider in focus. Sometimes I use a dozen photographs in the process.
It is not just that Jesus used scripture during his life, he reinterpreted it, so that the focus was clearly himself. This was not arrogance on his part, he was God and wanted to ensure that the Old Testament was not just a historical record book but a purpose-written map that culminated in his life and death on earth.
Jesus is the lens that gives us focus on the Old Testament. Without him the Old Testament is simply a blur.
The road to Emmaus
One of my favorite stories in scriptures.
Here these men - hope shattered, darkened future, time lost, probably ridiculed by the people because of their belief in the Messiah down cast walking on the road to Emmaus. Jesus joing them what a turn of event for these two men. Jesus beginning with Moses, all the prophets, and all the scriptures expounded on concerning Himself. Why did He not simply show them, hey here I am, I am the resurrected Christ. Broken, downcast with a man who is drowning they were ready for a life line. Christ did not want to simply satisfy their curiosity but gave them concrete evidence from the scriptures that He was the Messiah. When Christ would be taken away from them, they would have the scripture which they would be able to use to point others to Christ.
The conversation on the road to Emmaus is not written in the bible because Christ is waiting to walk with every one of us who are diligently searching for Him. He will open the mind so that we may have the spiritual insight to understand the scriptures.
Are you willing to walk with Him ... listen ... put away the preconceived ideas from your mind?
The author of the lesson today clearly outlines how Jesus emphasized on the totality of the scripture explaining to the two about the old testament prophecies that were focusing on him.In my most immediate neighborhood is a church that for all the years have based their focus entirely on Pauline's teachings, but, not only with that church, in the 21st century, most of the Pentecostal churches also sing the same tune and to some degree misread Paul the apostle of Christ. Where's the baseline?
The lesson has a strong focus on authority so far this week. Today's final sentence states "It is upon the prophetic authority of the Word that He came, and it is in fulfillment of the prophecies in Scripture that He submitted to His Father."
I would propose that this statement has things back to front. Jesus did not come because of 'prophetic authority' - prophecy was authoritative because it accurately revealed the truth that Jesus would be coming. Similarly, Jesus did not submit to his Father in order to fulfill the prophecies in Scripture, the prophecies in scripture were accurate in identifying that Jesus, as The Son of Man - the Second Adam - lived a life 100% committed to self-giving love rather than self-seeking 'lust'. This is where the first Adam fell - Adam submitted to self-seeking instead of holding to self-giving no matter what. The Second Adam 'submitted' to self-giving rather than self-seeking in the sense of "not my will but Thine be done". This 'submission' was not a difficult thing for Jesus to choose because He knew that is the only way abundant life is possible. It's a choice that in the Western World is described by the idiom "a no brainer".
The basis of Jesus authority is the Truth of reality - of how abundant life operates. It is reflected in His title The I Am.
Let me illustrate.
At present, most of us are in some sort of 'lockdown' that has been ordered by our respective governments. Our goverments have the 'authority' to do this and to enforce its compliance. Although this authority is being exercised to preserve lives, it is nevertheless an arbitrary-based authority.
For those who contract COVID-19 and recover, they do so because their immune system has 'authority' over the virus. This is an authority that governments do not have. That is because the 'authority' of the immune system is a reality-based and therefore non-arbitrary authority. It is, to borrow the words of Brigitte Humphery "ultimate authoritative" authority.
This "ultimate authoritative" 'authority' that simply is (because it reflects reality) is the kind of authority that people witnessed of Jesus in contrast with the arbitrary-based authority of the scribes (Mark 1:22) and again in Luke 4:32. It is a phenomenon that is infinitely more powerful than the notion of authority that we are more typically familiar with.
I hope it is this kind of 'authority' that you picture when you read references to the notion of 'authority' in the lesson this week.
Please note this last comment in todays lesson:
"If Jesus accepts ALL OF SCRIPTURE, why must we do the same? Again, how can we learn to accept the authority of all Scripture, even when we realize that not everything is still necessarily applicable to us today? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath."
So Christ accepts ALL of Scripture but we can decide what is NOT necessarily applicable to us today? What part of Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 is not important?
I had the same exact thought. In fact, this was stated also in last weeks lesson. Slippery slope when we say these things.
Good question. The operative word in the comment quoted is "applicable." It isn't saying that the Word is not important, but rather what is "applicable." Do we apply the teaching on the rules and regulations of slaves, for example? There are parts of Scripture that were applicable for the day in which they were written in a culture that had slaves, that had polygamy, and so forth. It's all "important" but it isn't completely applicable in all things.
Kevin you wrote:
"Good question. The operative word in the comment quoted is "applicable." It isn't saying that the Word is not important, but rather what is "applicable." Do we apply the teaching on the rules and regulations of slaves, for example? There are parts of Scripture that were applicable for the day in which they were written in a culture that had slaves, that had polygamy, and so forth. It's all "important" but it isn't completely applicable in all things."
My question to you is this. "Are there places here on planet earth in which people are still being enslaved?" Scripture condemns FORCED slavery for sure! But when a person finds themselves in extreme debt and the only way out is to "sell themselves" to someone to deal with the situation we find guidelines in Scripture on how they are to be treated.
Ah, yes. I was in need of being more clear. Thank you for the opportunity.
First, I have not seen where the bible condemns "forced slavery." Do you happen to have such a reference?
As to the point of debt slavery, extreme debt was often the problem that got people into slavery during the days of the bible, and God did give guidelines for how His people were to address debt slaves, and other categories of slaves as well. Certainly, one is obligated to not oppress the poor anymore than they already are. God has intense interest in how we treat the disenfranchised of society among us. Most of the world, though, doesn't abide by such principles.
But, do we apply the act of a slave that enjoys his master to the point that they would have a nail pierced through their ear into the side of a doorway because they want to stay the master's slave? That is what I meant about applicability. I don't mean to disregard overarching principles governing a righteous life.
Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
As far as you question "But, do we apply the act of a slave that enjoys his master to the point that they would have a nail pierced through their ear into the side of a doorway because they want to stay the master's slave?"
Most people do not realize we are ALL "slaves" to one or another "individual." We being sinners are indeed slaves to sin, to Satan BUT when we submit to Christ, surrender to Him we than become "servants" or "slaves" as some translations put it to Him! The symbolism of the nail pierced through the ear suggests we want to remain with THAT "slave" master that we have submitted to!
Romans 6:16 (AMP) Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
Daniel, I found that an interesting statement also. The things in the Old Testament that are not applicable to us today only because they were fulfilled by Jesus. They are all the things that pointed to his coming and what it would look like. They are key to us understanding all the rest of scripture.
In Daniel 9:27 we find these words:
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week HE SHALL CAUSE THE SACRIFICE AND THE OBLATION TO CEASE, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
So according to Scripture what was done away with AT the Cross were the sacrifice and oblation, they were to cease. We all KNOW what the term "sacrifice" is referring to. The need for animal sacrifices for we have the ULTIMATE Sacrifice in Christ! Now the obvious question than is what are the oblations? According to both Strongs and Thayers it is referring to basically bloodless offerings/sacrifices! And yet we will include all but the Ten Commandments when discussing the "ceremonial" obligations found in the OT. Have anyone really studied what Mrs. White has identified what those "ceremonial laws" are that were nailed to the cross? I suspect not.
Your question refers to what was nailed to the cross. What was nailed to the cross was the certificate of our condemnation, or our sin debt, not the law, or any of the laws for that matter.
The phrase in Daniel from which you quote is addressing the sacrificial system (both bloody and bloodless sacrifices). In Christ that system was discontinued. All of it. The earthly sanctuary, the priesthood of the OT, etc. because Christ through the offering of Himself brought it all to an end. At least that is how I conceive of the phrase and what was finished. Hebrews goes into pretty good detail about it, as you know.
Well Kevin you are one of the few who recognizes what Daniel was referring to! Too many of use just pigeonhole the statement to mean ALL ceremonial laws! Mrs. Whites comments confirm not only what Daniel meant but your response too! Praise the LORD!
Ceremonial law is a nomenclature that can be confusing and fuzzily defined. Hebrews speaks of the law, but most often in the term of the body of instructions surrounding the earthly sanctuary and the priest's manipulation of the various and sundry sacrifices and maintenance of the Holy Place and Court Yard. That would include the so-called ceremonial laws. And Hebrews says that due to the fact that the perfect Sacrifice/Priest in Jesus necessitated a "change in the law" because of His unending life (see Heb. 7:12, 28; 10:1) for which the entire system was made of none effect. Even the commandments upon stone are obsolete, and thus the New Covenant is quotes twice in Hebrews. Not an external law, but a inner inscription upon our new hearts and minds. Praise the Lord!
Kevin you posted this:
"Ceremonial law is a nomenclature that can be confusing and fuzzily defined. Hebrews speaks of the law, but most often in the term of the body of instructions surrounding the earthly sanctuary and the priest's manipulation of the various and sundry sacrifices and maintenance of the Holy Place and Court Yard. That would include the so-called ceremonial laws. And Hebrews says that due to the fact that the perfect Sacrifice/Priest in Jesus necessitated a "change in the law" because of His unending life (see Heb. 7:12, 28; 10:1) for which the entire system was made of none effect. Even the commandments upon stone are obsolete, and thus the New Covenant is quotes twice in Hebrews. Not an external law, but a inner inscription upon our new hearts and minds. Praise the Lord!"
It is obvious the law that has changed is the law dealing with the priesthood. It was restored back to the original plan.
As far as the New Covenant mentioned in Hebrews it is a confirmation of what is in the OT!
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)
“And I WILL give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I WILL be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7)
“31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I WILL make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I WILL make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I WILL put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I WILL forgive their iniquity, and I WILL remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
“19 And I WILL give them one heart, and I WILL put a new spirit within you; and I WILL take the stony heart out of their flesh, and WILL give them an heart of flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I WILL be their God.” (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
“25 ¶ Then WILL I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, WILL I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also WILL I give you, and a new spirit WILL I put within you: and I WILL take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I WILL give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I WILL put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be MY people, and I WILL be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:25-28)
God says “I WILL” – 20 TIMES in 11 Verses!
And is repeated in the New Testament 8 more times!
“8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I WILL make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I WILL make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I WILL put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I WILL be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” (Hebrews 8:8-11)
“16 This is the covenant that I WILL make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I WILL put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds WILL I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities WILL I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)
And once confirmed by the death of the Testator nothing can be added or changed!
“15 ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” (Hebrews 9:15-17)
“Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.” (Galatians 3:15)
The reason the New Covenant is so much better IS because it is based upon the promises of God, NOT MEN!
Phil - I so very much enjoy your 'in-a-nutshell' approach to expound the unfathomable power of God's 'Truth'. I thank God for your willingness to care and share!!
Ones believed and decided to live in this 'new (original)' authority, EVERYTHING about the believer starts to be transformed (is in the process of sanctification).
I prefer to say 'in' not 'under', because 'in Jesus' expresses that there is no separation between 'us' and our 'God'. 1st Cor.3:23 -"And ye are Christ's and Christ is God's".
2nd Cor.5:12-20 speaks to this as well.
Read these verses very, very carefully. Allow the Holy Spirit the time to do its trans-formative work in the reader's heart and mind. (After all, it's not the old understanding that is at work when we read.)
We are most familiar and usually focus on v.17 - 'Therefore, if any man be IN Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new'. Focusing on all verses, though, the understanding becomes abundantly clear - we ARE a new creation!
Remember, it is our Creator GOD that holds the authority to create what He chooses and to form the substance of all that is seen and unseen. The molecules dance to HIS will and the angels rejoice :-)!
The question in today's lesson is, "If Jesus accepts all of Scripture, why must we do the same?".
For the answer, I recommend to read 1st Cor. Ch.15 - all of it, slowly! Verse 50 states 'Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit in-corruption'.
We are being transformed - the molecules are singing a new song!
What an empowering message to all of us that live IN this new 'ultimate authoritative authority'!!
Praising God always and rejoicing IN HIS AUTHORITY!
In regard to the question of accepting all scripture as Jesus did: How else can one "follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth" if not following His example?
The apostle also tells us that doing so would be our "reasonable service", leading to our daily lives demonstrating "what is that Good, Acceptable, and Perfect will of God"(See Rom 12:1,2).
Add to this what the prophet tells us about being kept in "perfect peace" by our minds being stayed upon God, His word being the means of staying upon Him.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Ps 119:105
Jesus and the Scriptures
Many times when humans study the scriptures they only look at the scriptures from the spiritual side forgetting humans life consist of more than being spiritual. They forget the physical, mental, social, political, governmental, psychological, financial aspect of humans. These factors all govern us and affect our day to day decisions how we live with self and others. Jesus, when he lived on this earth as a human he had encountered with all of those above factors. But how he read and understood the scrolls correctly were different from the 'leaders' and people of his time. He live, breath, eat, and moved with and within the scriptures/OT. I like all of his actual stories and parables although I as a human do not fully understood why he did somethings he did.
I can use the present pestilence-Covid 19 to show how it affected us in every aspect of those factors mentioned above. Although we do not fully understood how Covid-19 works we are told what we can do. But if Jesus was in our time, would he obey the authorities although he had all authorities? Would he separate himself from all the disciples and the people? What about how he came in contact with those with leprosy, that highly contagious disease? If Jesus was here today, would he healed the people of the Covid-19?
What did the bible said about finance? how is it that Christians are suffering now because of lack of jobs and finance? Did we miss something?
Jesus said to go and make disciples of 'All' men, what does that means? Jesus and his disciples were homeless, does it means we as Christians should be homeless moving from place to place to carry the gospel?
Having a true understanding of both the OT and the NT is very important for our Christian walk with God.
To @Daniel Shannon
Apparently on so many comments in a string of comments. I will close ours with this response.
Yes, in stealing a person for money, one is prohibited from doing. Taking over other peoples and enslaving them was not barred, though. Taking women for wives of fallen enemies was not barred. All we forced. That was what I was thinking of.
Though, indeed, we may be slaves in sin, it still doesn't answer the question of nails through the ear. Obviously we don't do that today. That was my point. We agree on the principles, but the absolute literal applications not all things apply anymore.