In ‘What on Earth have we Done with the Teachings of Jesus?’ (available as a free download here). I identified that there were 83 different subjects that Jesus taught on. I listed the top ten headings according to the frequency that Jesus spoke on them. In covering the top ten, I am now looking at the seventh out 83 most common topic that Jesus taught on.
Having covered humility, forgiveness, doing the will of God and being aware of deceivers. Today’s topic is on ‘living by the Word’.
In the beginning was the Word
The first Words of the New Testament begin with In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth, John 1.
Jesus is the Word and the Word is Jesus. The Words He delivered and the Word itself we are to live by. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death, John 8:51. Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock, Matthew 7:24.
If a man keeps His sayings, he shall never see death
Henry says – Here is the doctrine of the immortality of believers. John 8:51. It is ushered in ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you’, which commands attention and agreement. If a man keeps His sayings, he shall never see death. Here we have, 1. The character of a believer: he is one that keeps the sayings of the Lord Jesus. This we must not only receive, but keep; not only have, but hold. We must keep it in mind and memory, keep it in love and affection, so keep it as in nothing to violate it or go contrary to it, keep it without spot (1 Tim. 6:14), keep it as a trust committed to us, keep in it as our way, keep to it as our rule. 2. The privilege of a believer: He shall by no means see death forever; so it is in the original. Though the children of the Most High must die like men, and the followers of Christ have been, more than other men, in deaths often; how then is this promise made good that they shall not see death?
The power of death is broken
Answer, (1.) they do not see the terror of death, they look so clearly, so comfortably, through death, and beyond death, and are so taken up with their state on the other side death, that they overlook death, and see it not. (2.) The power of death is so broken yet they shall not see death for ever, the day will come when death shall be swallowed up in victory. (3.) They are perfectly delivered from eternal death, shall not be hurt of the second death. That is the death especially meant here, that death which is for ever, which is opposed to everlasting life; this they shall never see, for they shall never come into condemnation; they shall have their everlasting lot where there will be no more death, where they cannot die any more, Luke 20:36. Though now they cannot avoid seeing death, and tasting it too, yet they shall shortly be there where it will be seen no more for ever.
Adapted from the Matthew Henry Commentary
He is the Word and the Word is Him
This is why we need to have to heart the Words of Jesus. This was the driving force behind the compiling of the book ‘What have we done with the teachings of Jesus’. Other Words can be good, even beneficial to our walk. But nothing will save us like the understanding of and the following of the Words that He spoke. For He is the Word and the Word is Him.
Words of Life Treasure My Words in your heart. They will meet your need today Just as surely as they met the needs of those Who in My earthly days, listened to what I had to say. My Word is not spoken in time, but in eternity. I am not controlled by an earthly time-span For My gift is Eternal life, Fulfilment for every man. But the words and guidance are not for all By so many I am ignored. The gift of Eternal Life is only for those who accept Me As their Saviour and Lord. The Words of Jesus still ring in the ears. The true significance of what is meant Is in his cry, “that they may know You, the only true God And Jesus Christ whom You sent”. By the late Andrew Feakin (passed away 16th March 2019)
Prayer: Lord, You are the Word and You have the Words of Eternal Life. May I hunger for Your Words and feed on Your Words and live by Your Words. In Jesus Name. AMEN