Why Didn't Jesus Write A Bible?
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: The real subject is our response to the written word and the living word.
Most founders of religions wrote something, some even extensive "sacred" writings. Given a chance to make requests, many Christians would ask for some written document unaltered and direct from Jesus' hand. Of all people who have ever lived, he is the one we would want to have written a book. But he didn't write anything to our knowledge.
a. He may have anticipated his followers would do it, though not necessarily. We can speculate that some of them may have been writing down something at the time or shortly after. Though the Gospels were written between thirty and seventy years after Jesus' death, they may have been enlarged from early jottings of some of his followers.
b. The written word is often misunderstood and abused. Mark 8:14-21 is one example among many in the Gospels where the disciples of Jesus had serious difficulty understanding him. And they were visiting with him face-to-face with opportunities for clarifying questions. Think how often the Bible is made to say two entirely different things, or to support two contradictory issues. The words are there in front of us and we misunderstand, intentionally ignore, distort, or misinterpret the meaning.
c. Christianity is a way of life, not words. It is the living word that counts, when the Bible lives through our actions and lives. Jesus clearly emphasized that Christianity is not rules and laws, but rather a lifestyle. It is a living spirit within us. A written document may lead to legalism just as the Old Testament did for the Pharisees, and just as we sometimes allow the Bible to do to us today.
d. What more is needed than "The Great Commandment," the cross, and the resurrection? Jesus' summary of the law (Mark 12:28-34) is not spelled out in detail and yet, if we are serious and intentional about it, there is not much doubt what it requires of us. The cross and resurrection proclaim loudly the intended message. Without the Bible, the oral tradition would live on as it has at various times in the past. The rest of the written teaching of Jesus is icing on the cake, albeit really, really great icing.
Most founders of religions wrote something, some even extensive "sacred" writings. Given a chance to make requests, many Christians would ask for some written document unaltered and direct from Jesus' hand. Of all people who have ever lived, he is the one we would want to have written a book. But he didn't write anything to our knowledge.
a. He may have anticipated his followers would do it, though not necessarily. We can speculate that some of them may have been writing down something at the time or shortly after. Though the Gospels were written between thirty and seventy years after Jesus' death, they may have been enlarged from early jottings of some of his followers.
b. The written word is often misunderstood and abused. Mark 8:14-21 is one example among many in the Gospels where the disciples of Jesus had serious difficulty understanding him. And they were visiting with him face-to-face with opportunities for clarifying questions. Think how often the Bible is made to say two entirely different things, or to support two contradictory issues. The words are there in front of us and we misunderstand, intentionally ignore, distort, or misinterpret the meaning.
c. Christianity is a way of life, not words. It is the living word that counts, when the Bible lives through our actions and lives. Jesus clearly emphasized that Christianity is not rules and laws, but rather a lifestyle. It is a living spirit within us. A written document may lead to legalism just as the Old Testament did for the Pharisees, and just as we sometimes allow the Bible to do to us today.
d. What more is needed than "The Great Commandment," the cross, and the resurrection? Jesus' summary of the law (Mark 12:28-34) is not spelled out in detail and yet, if we are serious and intentional about it, there is not much doubt what it requires of us. The cross and resurrection proclaim loudly the intended message. Without the Bible, the oral tradition would live on as it has at various times in the past. The rest of the written teaching of Jesus is icing on the cake, albeit really, really great icing.
