Daily Devotions
John
John 19:16-42 "THE ISSUE OF "INSPIRATION" OF THE SCRIPTURES"
Day 311 – John 19
THE ISSUE OF “INSPIRATION” OF THE SCRIPTURES
There was a time when the doctrine of the “Inspiration of the Scriptures” was believed widely. In more recent times, particularly in the twentieth century, many have questioned whether the Scriptures could be spoken of as being “inspired” by God. The term “inspiration” is defined as a special act of God where His Spirit was breathed upon the writers of the Scriptures. In this process, God while allowing the Biblical writer to use his own personal writing style, gave him the understanding, the insight and the ability to write and produce a Scripture that may be regarded as “inerrant and infallible”.
Did Jesus believe in the inspiration, the inerrancy and the infallibility of the Scriptures? From the way He cited them, from the way He applied the Scriptures, we believe that Jesus believed in the doctrine of the inspiration of the Word of God. One classic text may be cited to demonstrate His personal belief concerning the authenticity, the authority and the inspiration of the written Scriptures.
In the classic Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made this solemn declaration.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or
the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to
fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven
and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will
by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be
called least in the kingdom of heaven; but
whoever does and teaches them, he shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. For
I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-20
Let us enumerate the things Jesus emphasized in this text:-
1. The Scriptures were known commonly as “The Law and the Prophets” (Luke 24:27, 44)
2. The Scriptures are so strong and secure that they will outlast the existence of heaven and earth!
3. Jesus believed that the Law was given to men to be kept. The Prophecies were written that they might be fulfilled!
4. All should have the highest regard for the Scriptures. Anyone who thinks and teaches otherwise walks contrary to the spirit of the Scriptures.
5. He who teaches people to have a great love and regard for the Scriptures will be well honoured!
Even with a superficial glance, Matthew presents Jesus’ theology of the Scriptures. We would do well to have the same high regard for the Scriptures!
JOHN HELD THE HIGHEST REGARD FOR THE SCRIPTURES
All the Gospel writers held very high views of the Scriptures. One of the reasons why they had such a high view of the Scriptures was because they were intrigued and impressed by the fact that the prophetic Scriptures in particular were so highly accurate. The smallest of details were fulfilled by Jesus. John was certainly amazed at this truth. Let us take time to ponder this text.
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified
Jesus, took His garments and made four parts,
to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now
the tunic was without seam, woven from the top
in one piece. They said therefore among themselves,
‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it
shall be,’ that the Scriptures might be fulfilled
which says,
‘They divided My garments among
them and for My clothing they cast
lots.’
Therefore the soldiers did these things.”
John 19:23-24
Let us try and appreciate why John was so fascinated by this prophecy which was being fulfilled even as Jesus was dying on the Cross. Let us consider the following thoughts:-
1. The prophetic words quoted were taken from Psalm 22:18!
a) Psalm 22 is often called a Messianic Psalm, because it contained prophetic elements that would make sense only if Jesus were to fulfill them!
b) David was the human author of this Psalm. Under the inspiration of God, he wrote of the scene of death by crucifixion! The idea of being crucified to death had not been invented yet!
c) The idea of the garments of the Messiah being divided by the casting of lots was prophesied more than a thousand years before Christ entered into the world!
2. What are the chances of anyone writing such prophetic words outside inspiration?
a) Outside the inspiration of God, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to write such words in the hope that someone would one day fulfill them!
b) The accuracy of the fulfillment of this Messianic Psalm was surreal and more!
c) John saw Scriptures being actually fulfilled! That was an awesome experience for him, and thus he had to note all the details – including why the soldiers gambled for the clothing of Jesus!
WHAT IS OUR REGARD FOR THE SCRIPTURES?
Paul wrote this classic text concerning the inspiration of the Scriptures in his second pastoral letter to Timothy. May we have the same high regard for God’s Word,
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God …”
2 Timothy 3:16