The Amazing Word of God

There is an important doctrine we have as a church and that is the inspiration and inerrancy of the word of God.  Inspiration means that God Himself through the agency of man and the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit has guided and inspired the writing of the Bible.   That is why we call it the word of God.  II Peter 1:21 puts it this way, "no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit men spoke from God."  

The idea behind inerrancy is simply that the word of God is without error.  It is reliable and has authority to guide us in all areas of life.  And so we have God's revelation to man, which is a collection of 66 books written by 40 authors over 1500 years through the direction of God's Spirit, And as many can attest throughout the ages, when a church and man gives himself over to the leading and authority of God's word, wisdom, peace and joy follow.  

In our text this week in Mark 14:12-25, we have Jesus and the disciples celebrate their last Passover together before Jesus is crucified hours later.  It is at that supper Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper.  There is an interesting detail in that account that many scholars consider a "proof" for the gospel’s reliability and authenticity.  And that is the measure of detail in the text and specific instructions from Jesus to His disciples as they prepare for Passover.

In Mark 14:13-14, we read this, "And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”

Why this measure of detail is a big deal is that when you compare just this one example of Scripture against other ancient writings, whether it is the Vedas of Hinduism, the Koran of Islam, or the Greek and Roman mythologies with their pantheon of gods, you do not find this kind of detail, but rather you will find exaggerations and a high level of poetic license that either leads the reader to doubt its historicity or divine guidance.  It is the Bible alone out of all ancient writings, where we find details like this, that include "a man carrying a water jar" and a "guest room."  Something other ancient religious writings omit.  

These kinds of details show us that the Bible is based on reality and truth of the situation at hand.  That is why we find on many occasions like Mark 14:13-14, a measure of detail that shows us the historicity and reliability of the recorded account.  No other ancient writings compare.  

And so as you read the word of God, be encouraged and expectant that God is there ready to reveal to you the beauty of who He is and the needed guidance we all need in this life.  No wonder the Apostle Paul when writing to his disciple Timothy encouraged him, "All Scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, correction and reproof, that the believer may be trained in righteousness, equipped for every good work."  (II Tim 3:16)