One might think that while Jesus was on earth, being the Son of God, He would have very little use for the Scriptures. But a simple glimpse at His life and ministry reveals just the opposite. On every hand we find Him quoting Scripture or alluding to its content in His teaching, and personally submitting His life to the authority of the Scriptures. Whether He was struggling with Satan in temptation (Luke 4:1-13), teaching crowds by the sea shore (Luke 5:1-11), or instructing His disciples on a hillside (Matthew chapters 5-7), Jesus’ words were always punctuated with citations from the Scriptures.

They were on His lips in prayer, and even in His sufferings, His mind was so saturated with the words of Scripture that He used them to express His own feelings. The anguish of David centuries earlier became the expression of His own agony as He cried from the cross, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Even His last words while on the cross was a quote from Psalm 31:5, “Into Thy hands, I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Furthermore, Jesus totally submitted His life to the authority of the Scriptures. Why didn’t He ask to be rescued from the cross? “How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled?” (Matthew 26:53-54). He said He “must go to Jerusalem and be classed among criminals because that which is written must be fulfilled” (Luke 18:31-33; 22:37).

Jesus’ view of the Scriptures is very different than that of the majority of the present world. As Jesus became obedient unto His Heavenly Father’s will, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8), we at the Tenth & Jackson Street church of Christ are striving to “walk in His footsteps” (1Peter 2:21), by studying, learning, and obeying only the Heavenly Father’s will revealed in the Scriptures (2Timothy 3:16-17). Nothing is taught without being underscored by Book, chapter and verse. Our creed book (the Bible only), will never need to be updated or revised (Mark 13:31). –Toby Miller

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).