The Bible

A decade ago, during his pastoral installation service, I presented my colleague and one of my best friends with a Bible for his ministry.  Below, I share my remarks which describe the majesty of the Word of God.

The Bible is the written revelation of the Word of God.  It holds the keys to abundant and eternal life.  It contains the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who is “the way, the truth and the life.”  The Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of Jesus’ teachings so that we may know “how” to live in this present world and inherit everlasting life in the age to come. 

In Matthew 19:29 and Luke 18:29, Jesus offers one of His most compelling promises.  “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”  The Bible reveals Almighty God’s assurances to those persons who genuinely trust Him and follow His guidance.

The Bible is a towel with which we who pastor wash the feet of those persons whom we serve.  John 13:1-17 records the irony of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.  In this dramatic reversal of social order, the teacher and leader becomes the servant of all. Jesus utilizes an act of humility to demonstrate to the disciples how they are to treat each other and future disciples.  Service equals leadership in the body of Christ.  Repeatedly, the New Testament churches receive further instructions on the differences between leadership selection criteria in the church and secular world.  As servant leaders, pastors use the Bible, each Sunday during the sermon, as a towel to wash the feet of the membership.  The Word of God brings comfort, insight and support to weary travelers on the dusty roads of life.

The Scriptures are a chalice filled with wine.  God’s loving-kindness is better than wine.  Moreover, the wine of the gospel supercedes the water of the law.  The new covenant of Christ’s blood is an enduring bond that cannot be nullified by human intention or action.  At the wedding of Cana in Galilee, in John 2:1-11, Jesus turns water into wine.  Surprisingly, for the guests, this wine tastes better than anything they drank previously.  Customarily, the host saves the worst wine for the end of the celebration and serves the best wine at the beginning.  This miracle demonstrates that the teachings of Christ greatly surpass ancient philosophy, science, logic, rhetoric and reason.  The truth and applicability of His wisdom endure throughout all generations.

On a daily basis, the Bible is a cup of living water as we travel through life’s deserts.  Thirst arises often from fallacious attempts at self-sufficiency.  We call upon God when we need Him.  The hymn writer pleads “I Need Thee Every Hour.”  There are innumerable verses, which provide practical and helpful wisdom as we face daily challenges. 

Should fear invade our minds and infiltrate our hearts, reciting the following verses annihilates anxiety: Psalm 23, 27:1-2, 34:4; Isaiah 41:10, 41:13; 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 John 4:18.  Additionally, Jesus declares anyone who hungers and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied.  Whatever our thirst, the Word of God quenches it.  The Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 remains as the most enduring witness to this spiritual reality.  She fulfills her thirst for love when she encounters the Word of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

In the longest psalm, 119, David describes the Word of God as a “lamp unto his feet and light unto his pathway.”  Simply speaking, the Bible is a divine flashlight to help find your way in the world’s darkness.  The bleakness of heinous crimes, economic injustice, terrorism, protracted conflicts in the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Africa permeate life.  In addition, we struggle with formidable tests within marriage, families, jobs, and communities.  God’s word equips us to triumph over all adversities.  It also empowers us to pursue successfully our dreams and goals.  The light of God’s Word determines the legitimacy of our motives.  When they cohere with God’s desires, He illuminates His “good, pleasing and perfect will” before us. 

Finally, the Bible is a mirror.  It reflects Almighty God’s holiness and perfection.  The scriptures reveal the clearest image of the immortal, invisible and infinite Creator of the universe.  As we grow in grace, we seek to emulate God’s character.   The prophets speak of a refiner’s fire.  As the refiner burns the dross from the gold to increase its value, he looks into a blazing furnace.  He knows that the dross has been sufficiently burned away when he can see a clear image of himself in the reflection of the gold.  Similarly, God’s word is a mirror into our lives and souls.