The word is supreme Week 14, 2013

The Lord Jesus had many tools available to Him on earth, and I want you to note one in particular: the word. When he was tempted it was the scripture hidden in his heart that he relied upon at each turn to overcome. Every response was laced with “It is written...”. This was no head knowledge alone; I say this because Satan said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you…” Mt 4:6(ISV). Jesus had enough word store to realise Satan was quoting out of context. He interpreted scripture with scripture knowing true application of scripture does not contradict scripture. What of you? Do you have the true sense of the word? Apart from the wilderness notice when he drives out the moneychangers it is because of what is written (Jn 2:17, Lk 19:46): written concerning God’s house, and written concerning Him. When faced with life issues and questions about conduct he points us to what is written originally: They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" He answered them, "Haven't you read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female..? What God has joined together, man must never separate." Mt 19:3-5(ISV). On such issues it was not a question of what majority of the people believe now. He was not working based on the Gallup poll or any consensus of ideas by anyone. His was no attempt at modernity but a rooting in the ancient, irreversible mindset and plan of God. He said to them, "It was because of your hardness of heart that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. But from the beginning it was not this way Mt 19:8(ISV) . It is so for every issue for the faith undergoes no revisions. The word of God does not change; His standards are not altered by “modern realities”. Modern man carries an ancient sinful nature. Doubtless Jesus saw a lot before he became incarnate, yet he bases his assertions on the word, not dreams or visions. Consider the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection. In responding Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mk 12:24(ESV) and he finishes off by pointing them back to another scripture (Mk 12:26). Even Peter who was with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration does not make what he saw as an eyewitness the ultimate: we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place 2Pt 1:18,19(ESV). The word is above dreams, visions and science; it is supreme.