" 'How is it,' . . . 'that this untrained man has such learning?'" (John 7:15 N.E.B.). This question obviously did not imply that Christ was illiterate, but rather that He had no formal theological training. Even as a 12-year-old child He astounded the church's best minds with His questions and answers. The deep truths He skillfully brought to the surface by His innocent questions intrigued His erudite audience. "All that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:47).
Christ did not enter our world with a head and heart filled with knowledge and wisdom. In assuming the garb of humanity His spiritual, mental, physical, and social powers expanded by His conformity and obedience to those principles that govern all human development (see Luke 2:52).
When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus responded: "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). These same words had been given by Christ through Moses to the children of Israel nearly fifteen centuries before (see Deut. 8:3). It is an unchangeable, eternal principle that proper study of Scriptures will result in spiritual growth. In fact, this is the only certain way to spiritual growth.
Opinions of men, deductions of science, and declarations of ecclesiastical councils must be subject to a plain "thus saith the Lord." Our Saviour learned the Scriptures from childhood. He understood that the Bible is our only safeguard against error and delusion. Note Christ's reply to the wily Sadducees who tried to trip Him on a sticky theological question: " 'You are mistaken, and surely this is the reason: you do not know either the scriptures or the power of God'" (Mark 12:24, N.E.B.).
One day Jesus joined a gloomy pair of His followers on the road to Emmaus and began to question them. These disciples were not discussing the Roman political situation, Jerusalem's overcrowded conditions, the inflationary trend of the shekel, or even the weather. They showed a deep concern.
As Jesus joined them He listened to their discussion, which centered on the crucifixion. After some time He interrupted to ask why they were talking the way they were. Cleopas turned and perhaps tearfully asked, " 'Are you the only person staying in Jerusalem not to know what has happened there in the last few days?' " (Luke 24:18, N.E.B.).
These two followers of Christ should have been aware of the clear teaching of the Scriptures. Hadn't they listened to Jesus months before as He plainly explained what the prophets had to say about His death, burial, and resurrection? Now their minds were confused because they did not clearly sense the import of what Jesus had been saying. Emotions and feelings ruled their thoughts, preventing them from grasping that which would have been so comforting to them in their time of bitter disappointment.
The Saviour longed to help them in their distress. Yet He chose not to do what most of us would have done. Rather than open their eyes at this point He seemingly added to their dis comfort by chiding, " 'How dull you are!'" (verse 25, N.E.B.). He hastened to show them what He meant: " 'How slow to believe all that the prophets said!'" There followed a thorough study of Old Testament prophecies: "He began with Moses and all the prophets, and explained to them the passages which referred to himself in every part of the scriptures" (verse 27, N.E.B.).
Note that Jesus did not perform a miracle. He did not philosophize or psychologize. Nor did He quote the writings of other men, good as they may have been, outside the Scriptures. Rather He riveted their minds on the words by which a man must live. He showed that the Scriptures, not their feelings and senses, were the very strongest foundation for their faith and mental stability. Here was the only remedy for their depressing dullness.
What was the result? When their eyes were finally opened and they joyously rushed back over those seven miles to Jerusalem they exclaimed: " 'Did we not feel our hearts on fire as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'" (verse 32, N.E.B.). When did their hearts glow with the warmth of understanding and love? Before their eyes were opened! When the Word was expounded, then came this thrilling experience.
It is a simple but profound truth that lives are touched and changed through the preaching of the Word.
Christ's regard for the truth revealed in the Old Testament is summed up in Luke 16:31, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Need it be pointed out how multitudes today would choose as a basis for their faith some miracle or ecstatic experience rather than the simple, plain "It is written"?
We are informed that in these last days great delusions are certain to come. The antichrist will perform marvelous works in our sight. Multitudes will be swept off their feet. Truth will be so closely counterfeited by error that the only possibility of delineating between the two will be through the microscope of Scripture. Bible testimony must test every concept and miracle. How earnestly we as ministers should fortify our own minds and the minds of our parishioners with the Written Word.
If we are to interest our members in the Scriptures we must first demonstrate a real interest in and love for the study of the Scriptures ourselves. If our hearts are on fire with the Word our people will recognize it and long for a similar experience.
A word of caution. It is totally in sufficient merely to keep abreast with what others have to say about the Bible. The preacher who attempts to keep up with all the religious concepts and interpretations of Scripture pouring from publishing houses today will probably have little or no time to study the Book for himself. This is not in tended to be wholesale condemnation of all religious books outside the Bible. We recommend many in our magazine. But it is an appeal for sharp discernment and discrimination in what we read, in order to be able to spend more of our energy and time in Bible study.
The authoritative, infallible revelation of God must be our source of power, our standard of right and wrong. Certainly the mind, fickle as it is, cannot know the right way unless controlled by Biblical principles. To avoid spiritual dullness and to gain a living experience with the Lord, we leaders of the flock must spend several hours each day in intensive study of the Word.
Texts credited to N.E.B. are from The New English Bible. © The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1970. Reprinted by permission.
