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Good Bible Interpretation

Only One-Third of the Story

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How often have you picked up a good book and skipped over the first two-thirds of the pages to start reading? Have you done the same with instructions designed to help you put something together, assemble a new end table, or set up the new iPhone? I dare say none of us would do such a silly thing. The results would be frustrating.  You may be tempted to throw in the towel or pay someone who doesn’t mind reading the entire page of instructions.

Something similar occurs when we limit our reading of the Scriptures to only the New Testament.  By doing so, we get only one-third of the story about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  If we only focus on the New Testament, we can’t understand Him at the level and depth He intended. We may become frustrated and discouraged in our understanding of Jesus.

God’s dealings with His people, the plan of Salvation, the prophecies, the Godhead, and His will for us can become cloudy, if not invisible, by reading only part of the story. Most of all, we get an incomplete picture of Jesus. This practice can even lead to false teaching that could add further bewilderment.  Please remember that this concept does not diminish the New Testament in any way.  It does the opposite.  The New Testament writers disclose the fulfillment and reality of Jesus.  Their passion for Jesus is built on the firm foundation of God’s inspired writers from ancient times.

All Scripture

Paul told Timothy, his young protege, this critical teaching about scripture:

“…from childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

Interestingly, the word “Scripture” refers only to the Old Testament books. The New Testament was in the process of being written when Paul wrote these words about thirty years after the cross. Neither Timothy nor Paul had a copy of the New Testament. True, the disciples’ letters were scattered throughout the churches, but there was no red-letter New Testament book of the New Testament writers for them to study.

Except for one time in Daniel 10:21, The word “Scripture” is used only in the New Testament (31 times) and always refers back to what we call the Old Testament.  It was the only book Jesus, the disciples, and the Apostles used to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah, expounding on the character of God and the plan of salvation.

So, Paul is referring to the same book Jesus quoted from.  Paul says the “Old Testament” (Scripture) is good for several things in Timothy’s ministry and, therefore, our work today: 

1.) wisdom for salvation;

2.) for doctrine;

3.) reproof;

4.) correction; and

5.) instruction in righteousness

Scripture

Scripture is the collection of writings we call the Old Testament.  This is an unfortunate title because it implies “old”; worn out, irrelevant.  Some today say, “I am a New Testament Christian.” This implies they are living under the New Covenant, which should be, but the New Covenant has its basis in the writings of the Old Testament writers.    A better statement of belief would be, “I am a Christian based on the entire word of God.”  Modern Christian teachers have minimized these books, but by doing so, how much is overlooked about Jesus?

The Jews today have the same collection of writings.  They refer to it as the Tanakh.  It is divided into three main sections:

Tanakh is an acronym, made from the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text’s three traditional divisions: Torah (literally ‘Instruction’ or ‘Law’), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)—hence TaNaKh.

The Tanakh consists of twenty-four books, counting as one book each: 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, and Ezra–Nehemiah. The Twelve Minor Prophets are also counted as a single book.

Therefore, all the books of the Old Testament are in the Tankah, but some are combined.

Jesus’ Scripture Study with His Disciples

At least twice, Jesus refers directly to these books of the Scriptures to explain who He is and His mission.  Both times, he desired to open the eyes of His followers by teaching about Himself from the Scriptures.  The story is found in the book of Luke.

After His resurrection on that 1st Day of the week, the resurrected Jesus caught up with two discouraged disciples who had just left the horror of Jerusalem that occurred on the Preparation Day (Friday).  Their Rabbi had been nailed to a wooden cross like an animal!  The One they loved was beaten, stripped, and finally met a suffering death. They were so discouraged that they were not praying…only discussing the scenes of that horrible day.  They were, perhaps, rethinking their commitment to Jesus.  Their faith had reached an all-time low.

But here is what I love about Jesus.  At their lowest point, Jesus shows up! He didn’t appear to a large crowd at first, but to two lonely hurting followers.   On that dusty road to Emmaus, neither man was praying for His presence, but Jesus appeared because He knew their damaged hearts.  He does the same today.  When you are at your lowest and don’t feel like praying, Jesus will show up just for you because of His great love and understanding!

The hurting disciples converse with the stranger, not knowing it is Jesus.  They describe the scenes in Jerusalem with tears and pathos in their voice.   Luke then records Jesus’ words.

 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24: 25-27

Jesus gave them a Scripture study from the Old Testament (it was not called that then) or what the Jews today would call the Tanakh.  The topic?  Jesus!  Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a part of that study from Jesus Himself?

As suddenly as Jesus showed up, He disappeared just as they had begun their evening meal in Emmaus.  This encounter left them with “hearts burning” within them.  Even though the day was “far-spent,” they returned to Jerusalem with a new story to tell.  They had seen Jesus in the flesh and discovered Him in Scripture.  They had to tell the other disciples, so they likely ran all the way back to Jerusalem in the dark, where the other disciples were behind closed doors for “fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).  When your heart is burning, you have to be running!

It was dark when they returned to Jerusalem since they had been talking with Jesus as they ate the evening meal seven miles away.  They found the eleven disciples talking about Peter’s experience of seeing Jesus (Luke 24:34).

Suddenly, Jesus appears again!  They think they have seen a spirit, but Jesus tells them, “Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” V. 39.  Then He eats broiled fish and honeycomb with them.

But here is the relevant part to this theme: the two men on the way to Emmaus get to hear the Scripture study about Jesus a second time!  When our hearts are burning and running to tell others about Jesus, we are learning.

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24: 44-45

From this gathering of discouraged disciples, we learn that the writings of the Old Testament (the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms) are fulfilled in Jesus. Is it not obvious?  We can learn many things about Jesus by reading these ancient writings.    

So yes.  if we only read the New Testament, we miss two-thirds of the story about Him.  Our experience and faith in Jesus will explode when we discover Jesus from people like Moses, Ezra, Nehemiah, Solomon, Isaiah, David, Daniel, and many others whom God inspired to write about what they saw and experienced (2 Peter 1:21).

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them, you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” –Jesus (John 5:39)

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT MATTERS

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“Whom will he teach knowledge?
And whom will he make to understand the message?
Those just weaned from milk?
Those just drawn from the breasts?
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28: 9-10

In this passage, God asks the question about to whom He teaches knowledge and understanding. It is directed towards His written word. It uses the language of literature: lines and precepts (ideas). By using the rhetorical question referencing infants, it is for those who are grown enough to understand precepts. It may even appear as a complex message to those who are not mature in the Lord.

But God also makes reference to context by comparing lines with other lines. We might call this close or micro context. He expands the context to a macro context with precepts or ideas compared with each other.

All of this is within the heading of understanding the message. The message of what. Well, here is where we can use the tool of context to know the message of God.

Verse 14 of Isaiah gives us a hint:

Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men,
Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem,

God wants to teach the men who rule the people who reside in His city of Jerusalem.

Is it possible that we don’t know God because of a lack of context?

One of my biggest frustrations as a Bible student and teacher is when I hear the interpretation of a text or passage (especially concerning God’s character and prophecy) that is out of context.

False prophets either lift out single verses or twist plain passages to gain control or misrepresent the character of God.

DIVINE CONTEXT

A Text Without a Context Is a Pretext: This means a text read without careful consideration of the surrounding verses is easily misconstrued or maybe not correct at all. A passage of scripture is always best understood and appreciated in its context. But there are at least eight different levels of context.

Each verse lies inside a chapter, each chapter inside a book, each book within its author. Each book and author within time, each book, author, and time inside the whole of Scripture…but most important...all within the context of God’s character.

A simple progression of CONTEXT is as follows:

1.) Lowest level: One Text

2.) Surrounding Texts within the chapter

3.) Chapters within the book

4.) Books within the other books of the author

5.) Within the audience and time of the writing

6.) The author within other books or authors

7.) Within the entire scripture

8.) Highest level: All within the context of the Character of God

With some passages, you don’t have to go very far in the chain. But, the further a person goes in this chain, the better understanding, conclusion, and appreciation for the powerful word of God.

The greatest value of deep context leads to greater knowledge and understanding of our loving, gracious, and sacrificial God.

“But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these, I delight,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT-PART 5-A STRING OF PARABLES

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Last time, we observed the lavish act of love by “a sinful woman” for Jesus (Luke7). She poured an alabaster flask of fragrant oil on the feet of Jesus and used her hair as a towel to soak up tears and an expensive box of perfume, The outpouring of her heart and the fragrant perfume filled the room with the sweet smell of her fondness for Jesus.

It became an awkward moment for the guests at the house of one of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, in particular , squirmed because Jesus seemed to be unaware of this woman’s sins. Jesus perceived their discomfort and he began the first parable recorded by Luke. The message of the parable was this: Whosoever has been forgiven much, loves much (v.47). The Pharisees had just as much to be forgiven, but their traditions and pride kept them back from seeking the payment of their debt through Jesus.

For Mary, she went away with her burden of debt removed. Her sins were forgiven. It would change her life forever.

What I like about the story is how this woman (likely Mary of Magdalene) shook up the formality of the moment by an act of love. As followers of Christ, our love for Jesus will make people uncomfortable. Lavish acts of love make people aware of their own condition . It may lead them to seek to know the Lord of love we worship. Your light of love is not to be covered up, but exposed for all the see…even if it makes them uncomfortable.

It is from this starting point that many parables are recorded by Luke. They are occasional and spread out through the first 11 chapters of the Luke, Then a turning point occurs at the end of Chapter 11. Jesus scolds the Pharisees for their religious hypocracy. He uses very direct language and begins each sentence with the word “woe”:

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

Luke 11: 42-44

Then Jesus turns to the Lawyers and tells them the truth about their hypocrisy. Here is just a snippet:

“And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 

Luke 11:46

This very direct sincere disclosure of their deepest sins angers them. They begin to turn on Him:

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. Luke 11: 53-54

Then Jesus turns to his disciples and gives them warnings:

He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Luke 12: 1-2

Even here, Jesus uses the symbol of leaven, light and darkness. But what is important to note is that Jesus accelerates the use of parables. Partly because the Pharisees and Lawyers are looking to trap Him in his words so they can begin a smear campaign (accuse Him).

Beginning in this chapter, Jesus tells at least 18 more parables. Chapter 15 and 16 are all parables! There is another reason Jesus used parables besides cloaking the truth in stories and symbols as we will discover next time.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

context-part 4-A parable of extravagence

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In our last study (Part 3), we discovered a good way to understand Jesus’ parables. It is quite simple. The point is usually found at the end of the story. It is almost like reading the last chapter of the book. But if you do that alone, you miss or fail to appreciate the ending details as we will see in the parables recorded in Luke.

In the first four chapters, Luke records the lineage and the calling of the disciples, etc. In chapter 5, Jesus speaks plainly to the multitudes in his first sermon on the mount. In Chapter 6, Jesus gets crossways with the “righteous” Pharisees about the Sabbath. Their non-scriptural application of religious/cultural rules leads Jesus to proclaim Himself as the “Lord of the Sabbath.” This means, He created a literal day of rest and knows how it should be honored. Jesus’ conclusion about the Sabbath is: “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” and to “save life” Matthew 12:12, Luke 3:4

In chapter 7, Jesus heals the Centurions Servant and raises the Widow of Nain’s son. In the same chapter, a sinful woman washes the feet of Jesus, and her sins are forgiven. Luke tells us this was Mary, also called Magdalene (Luke 8:2). This incident with Mary sparks the first parable in the book. The story of the creditor and two debtors is given to Peter (and the crowd in the house) to help them understand a principal of God’s kingdom. Here is the truth at the end of the parable:

 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 47.

This truth is simple and to the point. The more the sins, the more the love for the One who has the power and authority to forgive. But let’s now read the entire parable:

 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  (In today’s US dollars, this is about $3,700 and $1,850, respectively. A significant sum in those days. ) And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 41-47

In this parable, Jesus begins with a story that is likely not an actual event, but a story about forgiveness of debt and the feeling of joy that comes from it. The more that was owed, the greater the feeling of burdens lifted. What a great experience of joy when debt is no longer part of our life!

My wife and I recently became totally debt free. We don’t owe any loans, credit cards, or mortgages. It has allowed us to take a deep breath and remove many worries. But the point in this parable is not only about literal debt, but rather it is about spiritual debt!

Mary loved Jesus for His compassion and non-judgmental attitude toward her. This likely preceded her sins being forgiven. Because it is not until after the parable is spoken and explained that Jesus forgives her sins and says,

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Verse 48

Because she had “many sins.” Her feeling of great appreciation and love for Jesus must have grown even more when she heard those words that her debt of sins (primarily prostitution) was removed.

In my lifetime, I have observed that the “worst of sinners” often make the best evangelists for God. Their witness is dramatic and effective. They can’t keep their joy of forgiveness to themselves.

In the very next chapter 8, the number of women who minister to Jesus grows. They provide Jesus and the twelve with their own possessions (8: 1-3). Included among them was this same Mary whose sins were forgiven.

“…Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.”

Luke 8: 2 last part

It is no wonder that Mary was extravagant with her love for Jesus and serving Him! She even gave to Jesus and His apostles her own possessions!

It is not God’s will that we are burdened by a mind heavy with the guilt of sin and helplessness. No matter what our sins may be or how many times we indulged in them, Jesus can give forgiveness and power over the demons of sin. A great feeling of freedom will come, and you cannot contain yourself in your service to God! Your possessions will belong to God.

This is the deep message of this simple parable.

In our society, today, pornography, adultery, fornication, and perversion are rampant and even justified. It is the sin of an indulgent self-centered society that ignores God. But with it comes guilt for many. For those who feel this burden of guilt, they can have the assurance of peace in their life through Jesus’ promises to “not condemn.” He has the ability and right to forgive sins and to provide the motivation and power to overcome the sins which “so easily ensnare us.”

“And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”.” John 8:11

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Do you want that feeling of joy, peace, and energy to serve Jesus? Do you want to be free from the power of sin? Cast all your burdens of sin and doubt upon Him. Sin is burdensome, but forgiveness is more powerful to the heart and soul. It will give you joy and peace that cannot be found anywhere else in this world.

How does one practically “cast all their burdens onto Jesus?” It always begins with praying to the Savior who hears your heart. Tell Him you have sinned and cannot bear the results and consequences. Ask for forgiveness and tell Him,

“I trust You to do what You have promised. “

Then believe you have forgiveness and stay close to Him (daily and moment by moment) through prayer, reading His word, and being active for His kingdom. A real experience is not inward, but rather it reaches out to those who need Him in one way or another.

My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7

In our next study, we will look at a string of parables from the book of Luke and list the point of each. There is one parable in particular that has been greatly misunderstood because of tradition and an attack on God’s character of love. But its message is powerful if correctly understood.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context-Part 3-Parables

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“A text without context is a pretext”

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

Matthew 13:34


But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Mark 4:34

JESUS STYLE OF TEACHING AND EXPLAINING

Both Matthew and Mark note Jesus’ particular style of teaching. It was through the use of parables. In fact, both of them tell us when He spoke to the multitude, He always used a parable. So we can conclude that when Jesus is talking to a great number of people, He used objects, persons, or situations to not just tell an inspirational story, but to reveal a truth about the God and His kingdom. We should, therefore, be careful to force a literal application to a parable, but rather look for the message which almost always comes at the end of the parable.

There is another important fact we can glean from Matthew and Mark notes. It is in the last sentence of Mark’s account:

And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Mark 4:34

Jesus explained the parable to the disciples if they didn’t understand, Here is a good habit for us. When we are alone with Jesus, desire to know truth, and we are willing to follow him as a disciple, He will explain it to us, Since we are not in the literal presence of Jesus, we are promised the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). This would certainly include parables. But, like our last study on literalism, there are too many who want to turn a parable into something literal. Examples will be given in another study.

JESUS’ STYLE OF TEACHING WAS PROPHESIED

Jesus fulfilled the words of David who prophesied the Messiah would use parables:

I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us. Psalm 78:2-3

Understanding parables is an important part of understanding Jesus’ teaching, But as noticed from above. The truths that come forth from a parable is something “…we have heard and known.” It is not some new truth, but a well-known and documented truth from the Scriptures which are the writings of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms.

 “...all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

Luke 24: 44-45

Here we see Jesus calling the books we call the Old Testament, “Scriptures.” There was no New Testament when he spoke in parables. So you may ask, “How do I understand the parables?” As mentioned above, you must not be part of the crowd. You must be a disciple, Going to church to hear a preacher might inspire you, but it may not always reveal to you the deep things of God if your heart is not right.

Now this may seem harsh, but Jesus explained His use of parables after the disciples asked,

“Why do You speak to them in parables?”

Matthew 13:10

MORE OR NOTHING

“He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables,;

Matthew 11:11-13

Why was it given to the disciples to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven? Are we talking predestination here? It was because they were followers ready to do His bidding regardless of the popularity of majority at the time lead by the Scribes and the Pharisees. We can be that type of follower. Can’t we?

Also, it is a kingdom truth that the more you know, the more you will know….IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BE DOERS AND NOT HEARERS ONLY (James 1:22) James goes on to say we will deceive ourselves if we are not doers. Jesus said it another way,

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine,.”

John 7:17

If you have a little knowledge and not willing to do God’s bidding, the little you have will be taken away and your experience will likely become legalistic or weak. This was the case of the Scribes and the Pharisees! They were not followers of the Messiah and were content in their knowledge of God and their traditions. They were doers, but the legalistic judgmental kind.

Jesus parable of the talents speaks to this, which ends with these words:

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29

Here is another way to understand parables. The message Jesus wants to get across is almost always given plainly at the end of the parable.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context part 2

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“A text without context is a pretext.”

In part 1, I used the example of how context can determine a course of literalism or symbolism. One of Jesus’ statements bewildered some disciples and the sneaky religious leaders:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6: 53, 54

Because of literalism, it caused some disciples to walk away and never follow Him again. It was a difficult saying to understand on the surface.“ Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this, said,

“This is a hard (difficult) saying; who can understand it?”

These are the surface readers and those who don’t listen closely. Often, they are lazy and desire quick and plain answers. Especially answers that fit their own way of thinking or beloved traditions. Others want to force the literalism and therefore miss the point that Jesus made regarding the words of God. Who can understand it? It is those who listen closely to context and love Him. His point can easily be lifted out of the symbolism as he explained to the twelve who stuck by him. even though their understanding of His kingdom was still growing.

They comprehended Jesus was comparing bread with words, and His blood with sacrifice. By these two things a person has eternal life and will “be raised up in the last day “(Verse 39, 40, 44). If not, they will not be “raised up at the last day.”

A steady diet of Jesus’ words will give real life-saving faith. Here are the plain words that a majority of the crowd missed:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

God’s Spirit are contained in the words! How can that be? Let’s use a real-life example:To eat breakfast and skip on eating God’s words every day results in deterioration of the soul. A famous evangelist once said, “Little time with God, little faith. Much time with God, much faith.”

If we are not reading and digesting God’s word every day, we will become spiritually skinny, weak, and die. We may be overweight on the outside, but starving on the inside. Remember, you must do the spiritual eating yourself. You can’t have your pastor or anyone else eat for you.

So, turn off those recordings and let God talk to you directly. Also keep in mind, it is not the habit of reading that helps, it is the understanding of God through this exercise and then doing his will (John 4:34). As James said,

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

Please do not turn daily devotions in a works oriented exercise. If you miss a day or two, it doesn’t mean you are lost. Now how about those who would force literalism into this sermon of Jesus? Yes, it has happened in our world over the ages. Have you heard of transubstantiation? In the Roman Catholic church, during the taking of the Eucharist (Lord’s supper for the Protestants), the priest claims that he turns the bread and the wine into the literal body and blood of Christ even though the bread and the wine remain the same in their appearance. Thereby, the literal body and blood of Jesus are consumed! It totally discounts the point Jesus makes about the context and connection of living by His words.

Therefore, the message of Jesus is turned from an important spiritual lesson regarding eternal life and growing spiritually to a religious ceremony with all its pomp and display. As He said,

“It the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

If the audience that day had listened closely, and had only a slight understanding of Jesus and the context of His ministry, they would have known Jesus was using symbolism to make a spiritual point of vital importance. It is a point that separates many church goers into those who are real and growing and those who have the “form of godliness, but deny the power.” 2 Timothy 3:5Tomorrow, we will look at the symbolism contained in parables.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context-Part 1

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A popular and witty saying among Bible Teachers goes like this,“

A text without context is a pretext.”

Pretext, in the spiritual context, is a justification to act or establish some religious beliefs based on a misapplication of a verse or two.” A good understanding of context will help a Bible reader know when to take passages as literal or symbolic. This we learned in a recent year-long zoom study of Daniel and Revelation. Both Daniel and Revelation are highly symbolic, but they also contain literal scenes and truths. It is the lazy man’s way to say, “The whole Bible is symbolic.” This implies no one can understand God’s word and therefore we are unable to apply its literal applications.

A powerful example using context and therefore discerning between literalism/symbolism is found in John 6.

“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is [drink indeed.” John 6: 53-55

Wow! That sure sounds like Jesus is promoting cannibalism! But, if the religious teachers and disciples had just listened closely to ALL the words of Jesus (Context), they would know He was using symbols of bread and drink to tell a very important truth about eternal life and living a strong life in Him. But, some of the disciples were so confused that they never followed Him again,

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more (verse 66).

This they did even after hearing Jesus’ explanation,

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

If they had been listening to the context of what Jesus had said before, they would have been prepared for this symbolic reference to God’s word. Jesus said in Matthew 4,

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Verse 4

Jesus is quoting from the Book of Moses in Deuteronomy 8:30. Here God’s words are like bread that gives live (Spiritual life). The Twelve seemed to understand Him. Jesus asked them a question that Peter quickly answered showing He and the others closest to Him understood,

“Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. (Verse 67, 68)“

Another form of spiritual nourishment is found in the story of the woman at the well. Jesus’ disciples brought Him some food and He said,

“I have food to eat of which you do not know” (John 4:32).The disciples wondered, “Where did He get food?” He said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (verse 34).

So, when we do the will of Christ, we’re feeding our souls.

What is the spiritual lesson from Jesus’ reference to eating His flesh and drinking His blood? Do we take it literal? No! Jesus compares His words to bread or food. His blood is believing and trusting in His sacrifice for us. We need his “flesh” and “blood” every day to live. Just as we need food every day to live literally, we need to eat God’s words (read), absorb it (understand), and apply it to stay alive.

We must thirst and hunger after righteousness and then be satisfied in our souls by God’s word. This must be a daily ongoing experience for the believer, otherwise, we will find ourselves growing skinny, weak, and then dying from lack of spiritual substance. We must feed ourselves; we can’t depend on someone else to eat for us.

The result of “eating His flesh” and “drinking his blood” is this: Jesus will

“raise us up in the last days.”

This term is used 4 times in this chapter alone. What does this mean? It is the resurrection when Jesus comes in the last day! Wow! What a wonderful thought. A different topic for a different time. Next time we will look at how some religious teachers of today have taken this story and tried to turn it into a literal application of eating his flesh and drinking His blood.