Good morning friends!
There’s this neat story in the book of Acts (Luke’s story of the earliest disciples of Jesus). Philip, one of the early leaders in the movement was heading south from Jerusalem towards Gaza when he came across a court official from the Kingdom of Ethiopia. It’s a crazy scene, packed with meaning, but I’d like to focus very specifically on one aspect: the guy is reading from Isaiah and, I guess, he looks a little confused. Philip asks him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” He answers, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” (Acts 8:26-40 tells the full story; go check it out sometime!)
We’ve been talking a bit over the last few weeks about the Bible – what it is, where it comes from, how we approach it…but today I’d like for us to consider something a bit more practical – what do I do with it?
The answer seems a little obvious doesn’t it? You read it! But how do you read it? Like a textbook? And how do you make sense of it? And how can you begin to understand it?
These are real, serious questions. There are so many of us who struggle to understand the Bible and make sense of it, applying it to our lives. Sometimes, we like the excuse that it’s too confusing – the names, the places, the languages, the culture – it’s so different! But, I don’t buy it…have you seen Star Wars? Talk about confusing names, languages, and cultures…the human mind (even the mind of kids) can comprehend way more than we often give it credit for.
So, to get back to my question, how do we make sense of the Bible? I’d like to offer three answers from the story.
First, I’d like you to consider what the Ethiopian gentleman asked Philip, “How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?” He displays a necessary and appropriate humility that recognizes that if we take seriously the teaching and example of Jesus, we cannot do this alone. Following Jesus is not an individual sport. And while you can do a lot on your own, you can’t do enough. We were made for community and connection; we need the wise instruction and counsel of other disciples to help us make sense of God’s Word. You’ll remember that in the beginning of the church movement (think Acts 2) the earliest disciples devoted themselves (as a group) to the apostle’s teaching about Jesus…making sense of the Bible is a team sport.
Second, the central component of that team sport is the Holy Spirit. The only way that we can ever make sense of the Bible in community, and get to any consensus of meaning and interpretation, is by allowing the Spirit to guide, lead, and reveal truth. Jesus told his disciples that he would give them the Holy Spirit who would ‘lead you into all truth’. If you want to make sense of the Bible and be able to apply it to your life, you need to do so prayerfully, seeking the guidance and instruction of God’s own Spirit.
Third, as we’ve noted, the Bible is pretty diverse in content, genre, and apparent applicability. It’s pretty easy to do something with ‘turn the other cheek’…it’s much harder to know what to do with, say, Leviticus. So, how do I interpret such a broad array of texts and passages? Great question.
The Apostle John had this vision, we call it Revelation, in which he saw a great scroll containing all the mysteries of heaven and earth, perfectly and completely sealed up. A question resounds around the court of heaven – “Who is worthy, who is able to break the seal and open the scroll?” John looks around hoping, expecting to see someone, anyone, who can do it.
What he sees is shocking, devastating even. No one can break the seal. No one can open the scroll. No one can reveal the mysteries and knowledge of God. John weeps and weeps. But he sees something, someone, who confidently strides up and takes the scroll – the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David’s Tree; the King of kings and Lord of lords. His friend, his rabbi – Jesus.
The only way to interpret the Bible, especially the hard bits and confusing parts, is through the lens of the crucified, resurrected, and ascended King. Or, as the great heavenly songs says, “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9, NLT)
I share this with you because I have found this to be so true in my own life. As disciples of Jesus, we must come to appreciate and seek to understand and apply the Word that he took so seriously. It is impossible to take Jesus seriously and not take the Bible that he knew, memorized, and cherished seriously as well.
I’ve found that when I hold these three things in balance – community, Spirit, and Messiah – the Bible seems to make so much more sense.
I hope this helps you today and remember, when in doubt, just ask!
Praying for you today,
Pastor Steve
