Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

Chapter 1: The Way of the Rabb i

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what his master had taught him extended not only to ideas but even to the manner of expression and the choice of words. In fact, among the more strict groups, such as the Essenes, the pupil took an oath ‘to impart to no one a knowledge of the doctrines in a different manner from which he received them himself’” (Bruce Manning Metzger, The New Testament . Abingdon: Nashville, 1965, pp. 50-51). 4. Unlike the scribes who debated and enforced the “tradition of the elders,” (cf. Matt. 15.2; Mark 7.3, 5), Jesus represented his Father, teaching as one who had authority himself, and not as the scribes, Matt. 7.28-29 – And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, [29] for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

5. He was faithful to the covenant, as both son of Abraham and son of David, Matt. 1.1.

6. He taught the Shema, and summarized God’s Law in the love God/love neighbor commandment, Matt. 22.35-40.

7. In the same way that Jesus represented God’s will and interpreted the Law for the people of God, so today he through the Spirit and the Word interprets God’s will for us in light of his mission and work.

a. On five occasions Jesus claimed that he himself was the theme of the entire OT Scriptures (cf. Matt. 5.17; Luke 24.27, 44; John 5.39-40; Heb. 10.7).

b. To misread God’s message in Christ is to miss God’s entire offer of salvation, 1 John 5.11-13 – And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have