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Christ’s Object Lessons
Life, Himself the living Word, points to the Scriptures, saying, “They
are they which testify of Me.” And “beginning at Moses and all the
prophets,” He opened to His disciples “in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself.”
John 5:39
;
Luke 24:27
.
Christ’s servants are to do the same work. In our day, as of old,
the vital truths of God’s word are set aside for human theories and
speculations. Many professed ministers of the gospel do not accept the
whole Bible as the inspired word. One wise man rejects one portion;
another questions another part. They set up their judgment as superior
to the word; and the Scripture which they do teach rests upon their
own authority. Its divine authenticity is destroyed. Thus the seeds of
infidelity are sown broadcast; for the people become confused and
know not what to believe. There are many beliefs that the mind has
no right to entertain. In the days of Christ the rabbis put a forced,
mystical construction upon many portions of Scripture. Because the
plain teaching of God’s word condemned their practices, they tried
to destroy its force. The same thing is done today. The word of
God is made to appear mysterious and obscure in order to excuse
transgression of His law. Christ rebuked these practices in His day. He
taught that the word of God was to be understood by all. He pointed
to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the
same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as
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the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith.
The Bible has been robbed of its power, and the results are seen
in a lowering of the tone of spiritual life. In the sermons from many
pulpits of today there is not that divine manifestation which awakens
the conscience and brings life to the soul. The hearers can not say,
“Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way,
and while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24:32
. There are
many who are crying out for the living God, longing for the divine
presence. Philosophical theories or literary essays, however brilliant,
cannot satisfy the heart. The assertions and inventions of men are of
no value. Let the word of God speak to the people. Let those who
have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the
voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life.
Christ’s favorite theme was the paternal tenderness and abundant
grace of God; He dwelt much upon the holiness of His character and
His law; He presented Himself to the people as the Way, the Truth,