JESUS IS THE NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE

The Father sent his Son, Jesus, as a replacement for the bible. 

According to Jesus, there is no life in the bible.  He says to the Jews: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me.  But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40).

Living Waters

Jesus says the Jews are mistaken in thinking there is life in the bible.  However, they could not find it because life is in Jesus himself.  The angel asked those looking for Jesus’ body on resurrection morning: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5).  We seek life in dead things such as religious books.  We look for life in money, in material possessions, in marriage, and in children.  Like the Samaritan woman Jesus met by the well, we drink and drink but continue to thirst.  We refuse to accept from the Lord the living waters whereby we would thirst no more.  Those living waters are the very words of Jesus Christ.

Wheat and Tares

The bible is, like the kingdom of God, a book of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-25).  While men slept, the enemy sowed tares in the bible (Jeremiah 8:8).  Jesus teaches that, through the bible, Moses gave the Israelites false bread to eat (John 6:32-33).  His so-called manna from heaven killed all those who ate it in the wilderness (John 6:49).  But Jesus’ word is the true bread which gives eternal life to all those who internalize it (John 6:50-51/58).

It is not surprising therefore that Jesus identifies doctrinal errors in the bible.  For example, while Moses instituted divorce, Jesus reveals that it is not of God (Matthew 19:7-8).  While Moses says God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 2:2-3); Jesus insists God has never stopped working (John 5:17).  He also maintains the Sabbath was not given because God needed to rest but because man needs to rest (Mark 2:27).  While Moses says a man is defiled by what he eats (Leviticus 11:8); Jesus corrects him by saying a man is only defiled by what is in his heart (Matthew 15:11).  Indeed, through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus corrects several misconceptions Moses brought from Mount Sinai.    

New Living Bible

The Father sent his Son, Jesus, as a replacement for the bible.  Since the incarnation, Jesus himself is now the word of God (John 1:1/4).  Black provides suitable contrast to white.  Other parts of the bible remain useful but only to the extent that they serve to conform to, or contrast with, Jesus’ pure words. 

Therefore, on the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father counseled that, henceforth, we should only listen to Jesus.  He put this to dramatic effect by having Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, appear to speak to Jesus.  A bright cloud overshadowed them and when it cleared, only Jesus remained.  Then a voice came from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him” (Mark 9:7).

Let me take the liberty to paraphrase what God declares in this live parable.  He says: “Jesus is my Son: Moses and Elijah are not my sons.  Listen to my Son.  Don’t bother to listen to Moses and Elijah any more.”  Do you get it?  Jesus, the Son, is the only true and faithful witness (John 1:17; Rev 1:5).  Listen only to him.  Only the Son knows the Father (Matthew 11:27).  Servants are fundamentally ignorant about the master’s affairs (John 15:15).  Moses and Elijah (and Paul after them) are only servants of God. 

The Final Authority

Therefore, we are not to preach the law and the prophets any more.  Neither are we to rely any longer on the Old Testament bible as the authority on things of God.  Jesus says: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, …teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Jesus is now the final authority.  We are now to make men into disciples of Jesus and not those of Moses.  No longer are we to teach men to observe the commandments of Moses.  Instead, we must teach them to observe the commandments of Jesus. 

Jesus’ words are hard; which is why most Christians prefer the words of someone like Paul.  Nevertheless, take heed what you hear (Mark 4:24).  Jesus says: “If anyone keeps my word he shall never see death” (John 8:51).  Only Jesus’ words lead to eternal life (John 6:68).  Jesus’ words alone now constitute the entirety of the New Testament bible.