Jesusists* and the Scriptures - Part One of Three

Jesus of Nazareth is sent to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. His singular instruction, invitation and call is expressed in just two words “follow me” … and herein lies the concern.  We are admitting the distinction between actually following Jesus and only claiming to follow. The difference is clarified with the simple idea that if we’re following him then his thinking, teaching and answers to questions should be ours. If ours are different, then aren’t we obligated to admit we’re not really following him? All this is summed up in the term Jesusist*. 

 

The difference between following and claiming to follow is nowhere more apparent than in the purpose, place and use of the Scriptures. Religion and philosophies hold their own opinions and instructions but so does Jesus (as recorded in the very Scriptures 2.3 billion Christians and many others claim as their own).   Over the centuries multiple uses of the Scriptures have been engaged by a wide range of individuals, organizations and religions and so it continues to this very day. However, Jesus offers only one purpose for which they were given. 

 

The primary purpose of Scriptures is not to offer promises, principles, truths and history upon which to build one’s world view. Scriptures’ purpose is to inspire a singularly focused response: A personal, relational interaction with the person of Jesus who is life. He said: “You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures testify of me, but you refuse to come to me for life.” To fail at this purpose by those claiming to follow him is to fail completely. 

 

Those who are following also admit that the Scriptures do not reveal Jesus or his Father. They testify to them. Jesus and his Father can only be revealed in the Spirit. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Please note that he did not say that those who read and agree with Scripture know him or his Father.  Knowing about someone and actually knowing them are not the same. A Jesusist* accepts the reality that the words and actions of Jesus in the scriptural accounts are not equivalents to his person.  

One final observation as we consider the purpose and place of the Scriptures. We find that in the physical absence of Jesus on earth, theological/spiritual formation teaches that our primary help is the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit supports them. But Jesus teaches the exact opposite. According to him, the advantage given to his followers in his physical absence on earth is not the Scripture but the Helper, the Holy Spirit. “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” This distinction is huge. Think of it as looking through binoculars. One can look through either end and still see something.  However, if we use them as intended it is quite amazing what one can see.  Jesus turns the binoculars around, giving us the correct end to look into and to the awesome things one can see.  

The Scriptures are a great gift to all people.  However, they are not the greatest gift.  The Scriptures are crystal clear on this point. Jesus is the greatest gift. He himself is the Good News to the world; the message God sent to us all. We are not possessors of eternal life or of ongoing personal relationship with God because of what Jesus said or even what one thinks he said.  We have eternal life and intimate relationship because of him, the person who is the good news; who is life; who is to be known and not just known about.   

 

 

*not the Urban Dictionary Term