Thy Word is Truth

January 30

Read: Luke 24:13-27

In my personal Bible study, I almost always take time to read from both the Old and New Testaments. I will usually read the New Testament twice for each single reading of the Old, but that is simply because of its relation to our time. We do live in the age of the church, and the New Testament is written to us specifically.

We would be wrong, though, to neglect the Old Testament. So much of the New is simply not understandable without the background of the Old. Additionally, Jesus pointed out a number of times that the primary subject of the Old Testament was Jesus Himself. In Luke 24:25-26, He was critical of the disciples for failing to recognize the connection. In verse 27, it says of Jesus that, “...beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Man, how would you have liked to be present for that Bible study? Yet, even as we marvel at what it must have been like to have Jesus explaining the Old Testament, we must recognize that we have been extended the same privilege. As Christians, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus, speaking of the Spirit, said “...He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13)...” The author and interpreter of the Bible is the Holy Spirit. It is His job to teach us the Scriptures.

I have heard a number of people comment disparagingly on the Old Testament, as if it didn’t belong to us or we couldn’t understand it. At number of New Testament Scriptures testify to the falsehood of that opinion. Consider Luke 24:27 above. Then add to it John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” Then John 5:39 “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.” And Romans 15:4, “...whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Every one of these is a reference to the Old Testament!

Think about it. The Old Testament testifies of Jesus, was given for our learning, and was written by the very same Holy Spirit that lives inside us. To neglect our study of the Old Testament is to neglect 3/5 of the inspired Word of God. Don’t even think about it.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom


Truth is eternal - Balthasar Hubmaier