Appreciating The Apostles

Last week I mentioned a very interesting blog post by Mart DeHaan where he sets out a mystery – why did the apostles stop using the term ‘disciple’ when referring to followers of Christ? Mart actually referred in the same post to another mystery – why is it that the apostles do not quote Jesus more than they do? Again, this is a very curious fact. I’m struggling in my mind to think of any direct quote from Jesus’ earthly life in the apostolic letters?

For his part, Mart sees a connection between the two mysteries. He points to the dramatic changes that resulted from the finished work of Christ that not only changed forever the institution of discipleship but also the nature of the revelation of God.

Here is some of how he puts it:

"Seems to me that their New Testament letters speak for themselves. Individually and together they advance the ongoing drama of all that Jesus taught and did. Their letters reflect what Jesus had said about who he was; about why he had come; and about what he expected of those who wanted to be true to him—as they wait for his return. The Scriptures would never be the same again; neither would the law of Moses; nor the institution of discipleship. Jesus had fulfilled the Scriptures; satisfied the legal demands of Mosaic law; and placed an ultimate claim on the goal of learning. The demands of Scripture, the Law of Moses, and Jesus’ own conditions of discipleship would no longer disqualify or condemn anyone who wants to know the love of God in the face and scars of Christ. Now Scripture is his story. The law of Moses becomes a chapter that helps us understand why we need him. And discipleship becomes our opportunity to use our failing grades as an opportunity to learn from the One who is able to do for us immeasurably more than we could ever ask or think. So… the link I suspect… is that, just as the story of Jesus is told by all Scripture rather than by just his direct quotes, so… being accepted in his school …is not limited to those with passing grades, but is available to all who humbly take our place at his feet… wherever we are…"

Personally, I really think that these are very important points being made. It is of the utmost importance that we understand that the revelation of Christ was not complete in the earthly teaching ministry of Jesus nor even upon the events of His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. The revelation of Jesus Christ was completed by the writings of the apostles of Christ whom He personally chose, commissioned, authorized, inspired and authenticated to finish the revelation, giving us the complete Bible. Not only do we not have anything written directly by the hand of Christ, we only have one reference that he ever actually wrote anything and we have no idea what it was (John 8:6).

While Jesus Himself taught publicly for three years, His teaching ministry while on earth was set within a specific time frame which was part of our salvation history with a specific purpose. If you really study the gospels you will see that, though Jesus taught many wonderful truths personally, there were areas He left unaddressed for example, and others that He dealt with in a very reserved manner. For example, Jesus only used the word ‘church’ even a couple of times that we know of (Matt 16:18 ; Matt 18:17). And often when referring to His death and resurrection, He was very reserved with that information. It is not until we read the letters of the apostles that we have a full revelation of all that Christ accomplished for us, all He is prepared to do in us, and all that lies before those who belong to Him.

So, in all likelihood, the reason the apostles didn’t quote directly from Jesus more is that they did not need to because they were very conscious of the fact that He was speaking through them. Some of us need to develop more appreciation for our Bibles. So before you run out and buy a ‘red letter’ edition of the Bible (one where the ‘words’ of Jesus are printed in red), just a note – you may as well take a red highlighter and highlight the entire New Testament because every word of the NT is inspired by Christ. And while you’re at it, you might as well highlight the entire OT as well because Jesus authenticated all that as well.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17,18

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35