Last night at Refuel Michael Grant talked about approaching the Bible, the Word of God with reverence. It made me think about how so many today question the authority of the Word. Why do they do that? Well, some may do this out of a genuine desire for truth. It is a legitimate question, "why believe the Bible?"
But others do this so they don't have to obey what the Word says. If they can disprove it, they can dismiss it.
This morning I read Matthew chapter 21. Keeping in mind Jesus is the Word of God (John 1) notice how he handles being questioned about his authority.
Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"
Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?"
They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." Matthew 21: 23-27 (NIV)
Many people approach the Word of God like these men did. Not to find truth, but to justify themselves. Jesus would not reveal his authority to these men because they were not seeking him with the right motive.
When we approach the Word, we need to be open to whatever God wants to reveal to us through it. Not to prove a point, justify sin, or to collect Bible knowledge to impress others.
And then He will reveal to us mysteries hidden since the foundation of the world.
"The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
"Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 13:11-12 (NIV)
