Daily Devotions
John
John 19:17-42 "THE MAJESTY OF THE SCRIPTURES"
Day 310 – John 19
THE MAJESTY OF THE SCRIPTURES
One of the most amazing themes found in the Gospels is surely the Majesty of the Scriptures. When we use the word “majesty” we immediately associate it with the Lordship of the Divine Author. Yes, there were human agents who actually wrote the Scriptures, but the nature of the Scriptures compels us to acknowledge Divine authorship!
John, together with the synoptists held the highest view of the Scriptures! In John’s Gospel particularly, the author sought to equate Jesus and His teachings to be on par with the sacred Scriptures.
JESUS THE WORD OF GOD
When John introduced Jesus in his Gospel, he wrote of Him thus.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1
In order that his readers might appreciate Jesus better, John compared His ministry with that of Moses.
“For the law was given through Moses, but
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17
Jesus was spoken of in the same breath as the illustrious name of Moses. John went further and spoke of how Jesus was far greater than Moses.
“No one has seen God at any time. The only
begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father,
He has declared Him.”
John 1:18
JESUS AND THE SCRIPTURES
When the Jews doubted His Divine identity and His authority, Jesus cited at least four witnesses, among them, the Scriptures.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you
think you have eternal life; and these are
they which testify of Me.”
John 5:39
Jesus cited the Scriptures as if they were of Divine authority. He never debated the authenticity of the Scriptures at any time!
He cited the Scriptures freely. He was not tied to a wooden literalistic approach! An example of how He quoted from the Scriptures may be found in this text.
“‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has
said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living
water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit,
whom those believing in Him would receive;
for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because
Jesus was not yet glorified.”
John 7:38-39
His freedom in citing the Scriptures displayed His depth of knowledge. He was a skilled Rabbi indeed. But at all times Jesus spoke of His doctrine as something that He derived from His Father.
“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know
concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God
or whether I speak on My own authority.”
John 7:16-17
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES
One of the most fascinating expressions found in all the Gospels is this common phrase,
“… that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
John 19:24
All the Gospel writers used this phrase frequently in their writings. All of them seemed fascinated by the way in which the Scriptures were fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus!
John took particular notice of how Jesus in His death fulfilled the Scriptures. He did this for a number of reasons:-
1. He wanted to demonstrate that Jesus’ death was no accident (John 18:32).
2. He wanted to show that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, who proved Himself as the true and worthy king of the Jews.
3. He wanted to show the majesty of the Scriptures, in particular the prophetic portions of the Word of God.
4. He wanted to show that God was always in absolute control! The Scriptures being of Divine origin cannot but be fulfilled!
A GREAT CHALLENGE TO KNOW AND LOVE THE SCRIPTURES BETTER
How our hearts must be deeply challenged to read the Scriptures till we know it well. Let us heed the words of the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Colossians.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom …”
Colossians 3:16