KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES WELL

by Pastor Mitch
February 03, 2008

The Example Of The Lord Jesus In Knowing The Scriptures

A student of any field of learning must know his subject well. He seeks to study hard for that subject so that he not only can stand his own when asked about it, but he can also score a good grade for it. The latter seems to be the greater motivating factor rather than the former. As we seek to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, we must also desire to be good students of the Scriptures. We must determine to have a Biblical perspective of every aspect of life and ministry. The best example of one who had perfect knowledge of the Scriptures is the Lord Jesus. When He came to the synagogue in the text of Luke 4, it was His custom to read the Scriptures to the people. The Lord demonstrated to the people His knowledge of the Scriptures.

1. The Lord Jesus’ Familiarity With The Scriptures

“And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written” 
Luke 4:17

When the Lord Jesus was handled the book of Isaiah, He was already familiar with it.Isaiah has 66 chapters. Yet, He knew where to turn to in this book. He was most conversant with the Scriptures. Young people, are we familiar with the Scriptures? Do we know how to find the right passages from the Bible?

2. The Lord Jesus’ Right Application Of The Scriptures

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 

Luke 4:18-19

The Lord Jesus quoted this passage from the text of Isaiah 61:1-2. He was referring to the anointing of the Holy Spirit in His life and the Spirit empowered work He would do. However, He left out part of the verse from Isaiah 61:2b “And the day of vengeance of our God”. He did not include this part of the verse because this is the judgment that the Lord would bring on this earth one day. It was not part of His ministry in His first coming. The Lord Jesus was not just familiar with the Scriptures, He knew exactly what to apply and what not to apply.

3. The Lord Jesus’ Fulfilment Of Scriptures

“And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'”
Luke 4:21

The Lord not only had a deep knowledge of the Scriptures. He lived it out as well. His life was integrated with the word of God. The Lord Jesus spoke in the gospel of Matthew that His purpose on earth was to fulfil the Scriptures and not to destroy it (Matthew 5:17). The Lord Jesus personally fulfilled the text of Isaiah 61:1-2 in His life. Young people, let’s seek to make the word of God a part of our life. Let’s follow the Lord Jesus by knowing the Scriptures well and practising it in our lives.

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