One thing is certain – and that is the source of its strength - the Bible is not made up of ‘cunningly devised fables’ or ‘cleverly invented stories’ (2 Peter 1:16) but contains accounts that were put together by Prophets like Moses, Samuel and Isaiah along with some other anointed men of God as it was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit - for our edification. These writings therefore were God-inspired. This collection of books (compendium) spans over several centuries yet they are knitted together as a unified whole.
Men of different epochs recounted as eye-witnesses their various experiences. They were not known to each other, and yet though the book was not compiled then, one would observe a thread that runs through the Scriptures that attests to the veracity of these consolidated accounts. This certifies to the fact that there is one author of the Holy Word of God – the Holy Spirit, who lives across times.
Long before Jesus was born, Prophet Isaiah who lived 760 years prior to the event had revealed details about when, where and how the Messiah would be born. This was confirmed when angel Gabriel announced this occurrence to both Mary and Joseph the key players.
John the Beloved penned that the Scriptures “… were written that you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) By way of confirmation, Jesus Himself endorsed this truth for the benefit of the Pharisees: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5: 39)
In the course of Jesus’ ministry, He encountered a lot of opposition from the established order – the Pharisees and the Sadducees. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces: He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” (Isaiah 53:3) This prophecy was fulfilled in the Book of John; “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)
Prophet Isaiah had equally prophesied: “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2) With regard to wisdom and understanding, Jesus was in a class all by His own. Since he was revealed to humanity as the Christ, no one has surpassed Him in wisdom - just because His wisdom comes from God. Again in the Gospel of John, it is confirmed: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and men.” (John 1:11)
His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem for the last Passover celebration was predicted by Prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, Your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9.9) It was no wonder therefore that as Jesus entered Jerusalem He received a resounding welcome. “They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!” Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written. (John 12:13-14)
Another event in Jesus’ earthly ministry revealed that He would be betrayed by a close colleague in His immediate entourage. “Even my close friend; whom I trusted, he who shared my bread. Has lifted up his feet against me.” (Psalm 41:9) Judas had acquired a taste for greed by dipping his hand in the treasury for which he had been put in charge. After Jesus had revealed to the Twelve that He was going to be killed, Judas had lost all hopes of obtaining a place in the kingdom. He misunderstood that Jesus was not talking of an earthly kingdom. In his growing despondency, Judas decided to betray the Master for merely thirty pieces of silver in fulfilment of the prophecy. “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.” (Matthew 14:10)
Tossed between the high priests and the Roman governor, the momentum peaked when Jesus had to face a mock trial by Pilate over what could be called ‘trumped-up charges’. Jesus decided not to speak.
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) This prophecy was confirmed in the ensuing passage: “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6) In the Gospel of Mark it is recorded in some gruesome detail: “Then some began to spit at Him; they blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat Him. (Mark 14:65)
You can see how intertwined passages of Scripture are, between the Old and the New Testaments. The Old reveals what is to come and the New confirms it. It is the LORD’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.
The Word of the LORD is flawless. The accounts contained therein cannot be understood if read as a mere story book or taken at face value as some are accustomed to doing. It is a profound and spiritually grounded book that can reveal itself to the reader the more you read it in search of the truth, not with other hidden motives.
This Book can change hearts and minds as we meditate on it. Jesus proclaimed that His words will never pass away. He speaks from the standpoint that He is the Logos – The Word of God – who came in the flesh to teach the world about the love of the Father.
