The Word – mysteries God has revealed
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matt 13:44)
Today we celebrate Bible Sunday. John introduces Jesus Christ as the Word who was in the beginning with God, and this augments the value we must place on the Word of God. This Advent Season also presents the days of commemorating the waiting for the Messiah, and the days of recalling that we await His Second Coming. Numerous prophecies were fulfilled in the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In darkest times the Word of God was light and hope to the suffering and waiting people of God. The same Word remains fresh and powerful in reviving souls today and tomorrow. It is worth giving special attention and celebrating.
The season of Advent is partially meant to help believers focus on the prophecies and promises of God that would eventually be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Isaiah stands tall among the prophets and in his long book that was placed first among the Major Prophets in the Bible, Matthew and other New Testament writers find and quote a great number of significant prophecies that were fulfilled. Do you hear the ‘voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God… the word of our God endures forever”’ (Isaiah 40:3,8). This might have been fulfilled in John the Baptist’s cry, but the voice rings out even today. Are you ready to receive your King? The fulfilled prophecies help us to see the faithfulness of God’s Word not only in Isaiah but also in the entire Bible.
The Holy Scriptures bring us a story from Genesis to Revelation – a story of God’s plan to save humankind, a story of good news. In every generation there have been stewards of these mysteries in form of Church leaders, Bible expositors, apologetics, and many ‘smaller’ leaders of Bible studies and those who go back to check the Scriptures to find out if what they heard was right. We all have a duty to love and treasure God’s Word, as well as be responsible stewards of the same. Supporting the work of Bible Society is part of this stewardship – that the Bible may reach many of our own folks. There are answers in the Word of God; it is knowledge and understanding and wisdom. It is life.
Great Deal: Jesus used business language about buying the most treasurable at the expense of all one has. Have you found this treasure? Jesus’ parable is applicable to God’s Word – mysteries God has revealed for our salvation and the good of our future; sell everything else, sell sweet and captivating deceptions, sell all other philosophies and ‘buy’ the Word and place Him above all.
God bless you all.