How Jesus Used the Bible

Sermon for North Hill Adventist Fellowship, Sabbath, January 7, 2012.

I did not complete a manuscript. My texts are Luke 4 -- Jesus sermon in Nazareth -- and Luke 6 -- Jesus' comments about Sabbath-keeping.

In Nazareth and in his teachings about Sabbath, Jesus used the Bible to challenge the status quo which was, in the view of the clergy and conservatives of his day -- firmly rooted in the Bible. Jesus aim in challenging the status quo was not mere agitation. He wasn't just trying to "shake things up."  Rather Jesus exhibited profound overriding concern for human well-being.

When we use the Bible to fuel our condemnation of outsiders and sinners we are using a very different approach to hermeneutics than Jesus used.

When we use the Bible to fuel our defense of outsiders and sinners, when we use the Bible to fuel compassion and protection for the vulnerable, we are coming close to Jesus way of interpreting and using the Bible.

Maybe I'll get a manuscript posted tomorrow or Monday.


Grace and Peace.

John