Jewels from John: Part 6
The Jewish religious leaders arrested Jesus and accused him of sedition and rebellion against Rome. Their evidence was that Jesus had declared himself the rightful King of Israel. Pilate probed him on this and the passage above starts with the Lord’s response.
It is astounding and hypocritical to demand that someone innocent of any crime be condemned to death and a person guilty and punishable with death be released. There’s a beautiful metaphor here that many miss: Jesus, the innocent, takes the place of the guilty. That’s the heart of the Gospel message. However, hidden under the surface of this demonstration of lethal falsehood lies another profound truth … a truth concerning truth.
Jesus told Pilate that he had come to bring truth to the world and that what he taught was true. The Roman Procurator then waxed philosophical and asked “What is truth?” However, he asked the wrong question because The Truth stood before him. I think that we too miss the point here. We see truth as a concept relating to something that corresponds to facts and reality. But it is more than that, it’s a word attributed to a divine person … Jesus. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” The bible is true in that it is the God-given declaration of truth, but it is not the source of truth. Jesus is the source of truth. This is why I spell the word bible without a capital B although convention demands otherwise. This is why I claim that we must study the bible through the lens of what Jesus did, said, and revealed of the nature and character of the Godhead if we are to understand it truly.
The opinion of biblical scholars is almost unanimous that John was the author of the Gospel of John and was referring to himself here. However, nobody knows just why John referred to himself as ‘the one Jesus loved’. Reflecting on this ascription, I wonder if I could claim the same. Yes, I could, not as in the only one Jesus loves, but certainly one who Jesus loves. How do I know? I know by the way he cares for me and never deserts me. I also know that I am one of those for whom he died and rose again. I know because the bible declares it to be so. Carl Barth, a giant among Theologians, was asked to summarise teachings. He answered with the words of a children’s song, “Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so.”
What is the bible to you?
- Is it a sacred artefact to be kept in a safe place and brought out only on important spiritual occasions?
- Is it a study book to be learned in the hope that you might pass the entrance exam to Heaven?
- Is it a sourcebook of power statements and claimable promises?
- Is it a rule book for living a legalistic religious life?
Few of us would acknowledge the validity of these questions, so perhaps a better question would be “How do others think you regard the bible?”
These are not silly questions. Jesus addressed at least two when he told the disciples on the road “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.” Furthermore, conservative Christians have no qualms in accusing the ‘name it and claim it’ adherents of treating the bible as a blessings sourcebook. So, I think a little honest reflection is needed here.
In the John 5:39-40 account, Jesus did not end with “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.” He went on to say, “These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” In the same way, John describes the purpose of the scriptures as helping us to believe in Jesus so that we can have life in his name.
The bible tells us who Jesus is, and what he said and did while on Earth. However, the purpose of the bible is not just to impart this knowledge, but to facilitate a spiritual life-giving encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we know about Jesus and his words and works but are not born again in his name, then we have nothing of eternal value. It is all about Jesus! It is always about Jesus!
John X.X
All previous Jewels from John posts have contained four passages, but this last episode only has three. The fourth is probably the most important because it is your reflection.
- Which passage in the Gospel of John speaks most strongly to your spirit?
- Which verse do you pause over as you ask “What Holy Spirit are you saying to me here?”
- Which part of John captivates you and prompts emotions and deep reflections?
This has been the last post in the series. Thank you for journeying through John with me. I have enjoyed the trip. If you missed the bus then click HERE to go to the first post. You can also read or listen to them with one click from the AudioVisual page found HERE.
Jewels from John: Part 6 Read More »