The Book of John. Chapter Seven.
The more familiar I become with The Book of John, the more I realize the similarities between this version of The Gospel and The Old Testament. While oftentimes, believers have seen The New Testament as a completely different revelation of God, The Gospel of John reveals some insightful similarities to The Old Testament.
In 7:15, for instance, the people wondered of Jesus, “How does He know so much when He hasn’t been trained?” The reluctance of the people to accept Jesus echoes Moses’s own reluctance in The Book of Exodus. Five times Moses protested God’s decision to send him before Pharaoh. And while Moses had no formal religious training, he would soon be credited with writing the first five books of The Bible.
We see the same divine characteristic and the same human reluctance in The Book of Jeremiah:
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
“O Sovereign Lord,” I said. ”I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, The Lord, have spoken!” (1:5-8).
And we see this same lesson clarified by in 1st Samuel 16:7: ”The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but The Lord looks at the heart.”
Christ Himself mentioned this lesson yet again in John 7:24: ”Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
Of course, the people of Jesus’s time could not see the intent of The Law anymore than they could see The Messiah, who stood right before their eyes.
And yet, even today, many Christians claim to know The Messiah and yet miss the intent of His teachings.
Have you assigned your own point of view to The Teachings of Christ? How does your interpretation differ from His intent?
“Have you assigned your own point of view to The Teachings of Christ? How does your interpretation differ from His intent?”
I think this goes well with Debs’ post, concerning understanding the Father’s will…the words spoken beforehand.
As you said: While oftentimes, believers have seen The New Testament as a completely different revelation of God…
If we even begin to come at it from this perspective, then we have started with a complete misunderstanding. Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law and to do all the things the Father told Him to do.
I assume that means I need to know what God’s will was as revealed before Christ walked the earth…the words spoken beforehand.
The teachings of Christ are the teachings of the Father. They spoke the same message. I think it’s our “work” to search it out.
Man!! I pray my own interpretation is never what I rely upon — how prideful is that?!?!?
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. ~2Peter 1:21
Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. ~2 Timothy 2:15
Thanks, Nor…hope you’re sleeping well. Love you.
Michelle talked about us comparing yesterday, and I said we do so based outward signs and appearance not the heart.
Unfortunately I am human and my biggest struggle was/is self doubt masked by pride. My point of view was what I used through pride to mask the self doubt I have in my life. Sometimes that applied when I communicated God’s word.
Today no.. I believe my interpretation is inline with his intent. I also believe that God wants me to surround my self with other believers that can help me sharpen my iron, So that when I am out spreading the word I am delivering the Truth of Christ in a consitent manner.
Christ has made me much better at catching and seeing where my interpretation falls outside his intent. Even though my self-doubt can still kick in, I allow Christ to be my way out of it instead of pride.
Hope you are resting well Nor…
Love to ya Brother.
“And yet, even today, many Christians claim to know The Messiah and yet miss the intent of His teachings. Have you assigned your own point of view to The Teachings of Christ? How does your interpretation differ from His intent?”
It is very difficult to divorce ourselves from the culture in which we were raised so I think that has influenced my interpretation of the Gospel. I would like to say that I am getting better, but there were times believed, for instance, that America could do no wrong.
There was also a time when I believed that I could do no wrong because I was a Christian and I knew the truth and everyone else didn’t, my arrogance got the better of me. I hope that I have gotten better, more compassionate, at communicating the good news.
I noticed you asked, Nor, “HOW is your interpretation different from God’s intent?” Are you assuming that everyone who believes in God has a flawed interpretation or that misinterpretation is so ubiquitous?
Based on your earlier posts, I think you’re talking about the ubiquity of misinterpretation, but I wanted to be sure.
Get some sleep. I love sleep. I’m always sleeping.
“Are you assuming that everyone who believes in God has a flawed interpretation or that misinterpretation is so ubiquitous?”
Mr. Bear, does this mean no one ever gets it right?
Can Truth ever be known?
Man, I hope so. I’m sure some things fit into gray areas, but if we can’t ever get it right, then how do we stand firm as we’re told to do?
I think the struggle of “diligently studying to show one’s self approved” is the point. It is a struggle to search out the meaning, yet it is what we will be tested upon.
Am I making sense?
I dug this post Nor…
I see the OT and NT as one work…like you said they are more similar than they are different.
Intent vs. Interpretation…
it is impossible (in my opinion) to approach scripture with out any modest presupposition. However, most throw modesty aside and put on their denominational (doctrine) lenses, their politically correct (or the opposite) lenses, etc., when reading scripture.
Three years ago I made the most intentional effort to cast off my lenses in approaching scripture…it has taken down a path I NEVER thought I would go.
Absolute truth? Absolutely true.
Like Sleeping Bear said, misinterpretation is found everywhere. And like Nostawetan has said, we must make “the most intentional effort to cast of [our] lenses in approaching Scripture.”
I don’t think the point is to know “everything,” but to know what He wants us to know. And since “measure answers measure,” the more we seek Him, the more understanding we will be given–which is how Nostawetan “went down a path he NEVER thought he would go.”
Nice to be in the loop. I do miss everyone, but I’m not fully recovered or rejuvenated. Not even close.
I really wish I could respond more, but I’m kind getting “tired” again…
…Hey, is there a “sleepy” face?
Nor, this is awesome…sorry you are so tired..praying for your strength.
I love to look at the new testament through the eyes of the old, I don’t really think they were ever to be seperated…wierd huh? I see the Bible as one book cover to cover. I can’t say that I know all of the Lords intent…But I pray for him to show me where I am wrong. Its all learning…isn’t it amazing how then he was misinterpreted and today that has not gotten much better.
Lots to think on here..thanks for doing this…love ya brother misfits…thinking of having a misfit meeting at my house next summer..would you come?? mmmmmsomething for you to think about while you dream.
Good thoughts here, Nor. I saw that notation about Jesus being un-taught. Like Peter. And Moses. And Elihu. And Gideon. And David. And Jeremiah. So many that felt completely inadequate for the job. Encouraging, huh? God uses vessels. Period. Not award-winning ones.