Jesus: The Word of God

It’s been a couple of weeks, my bad! I didn’t expect this devotional to take as long as it did. Hopefully it is even remotely as encouraging to you as it was to me as I was nerding out on it. 

John 5:39-40 says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, ⁴⁰ yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” Jesus in John 14:6 says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Often we come to the Bible to find life. According to Jesus, this isn’t possible. The Bible doesn’t have life, Jesus does. What the Bible’s job is is to point to Jesus. Don’t mistake my verbiage here, the Bible is the key and main way in which God reveals Himself to us. The Bible is unbelievably important. But the Bible isn’t the Truth (capital T), Jesus is. 

This is an important distinction to keep us from bibliolatry, the worship of the Bible. Once again, the Bible is authoritative, inspired, sufficient, all of the things! But it is not Christ. Which, I believe, is why our devotional times can at times be dry. We’re going to the Bible thinking it, in and of itself has life, and we’re missing that it is pointing to He who is and has life, Jesus. 

Recently, I was meditating on Psalm 119. If you’re unfamiliar with this Psalm, it is a Psalm about the Word. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and in virtually every verse David is thanking God for the Word of God. David for sure in his mind had the Pentateuch, so I don’t want to take too creative of a liberty here. But, as post-cross believers, we can look back and say, “The entire Bible is a massive signpost pointing us to Jesus.” Not just the individual stories, the Bible itself. 

So, I re-wrote Psalm 119 and changed every word where it would say “Bible” (precepts, law, command, instructions, etc.), and replaced it with the word “Jesus” (Lord, Savior, Christ, Messiah, etc.). If the Bible is meant to point us to Christ, we might as well let it! And honestly, I was shocked at how worshipful it was. 

Let me give a brief example from one verse before you read it about how this was so helpful. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word.” (Ps. 119:9). Now, this is indeed true in part. Men (and women) who are in the Word, allowing this to enrich us do indeed remain pure. But can the Bible itself give purity? Can the Bible, and just grit reading it help one stay pure? Or, is Jesus the way? Can Jesus give protection and purity in absurd ways? Can you fall so in love with Jesus that you don’t even want other things? Jesus is how you keep your way pure! If you read every verse like this, it breathes ridiculous life. 

I hope it is as encouraging to you as it was to me:

Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the way of Christ. 2 Blessed are those who keep close to Jesus, who seek Him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but follow in the footsteps of Christ. 4 You have shown us our Messiah, that we should follow Him diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in living in step with The Word of God (Jesus)! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on the Lord. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn to trust all that is true in my Savior. 8 I will cling to Jesus, your Son; oh do not forsake me!

Beth
9 How can a young person keep their way pure? By guarding your way with The Way, Jesus Himself. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from Jesus. 11 I have stored up Christ in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me to walk with King Jesus. 13 With my lips I declare all the beauty found in Christ. 14 In the way of Jesus, I find great joy, more than in all riches. 15 I will meditate on the life and ways of Jesus, and fix my eyes on His path. 16 I will delight in Christ; I will not forget Him.

Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and follow Jesus. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things in the Savior. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not Christ from me! 20 My soul is consumed with longing for Christ at all times. 21 You rebuke the proud and arrogant, who wander from Jesus. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have trusted in Christ. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, I will meditate on the Word made flesh. 24 Your servant finds delight in Christ; He is my counselor and guide.

Daleth
25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life through Jesus. 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me more about Jesus. 27 Make me understand the path of Christ, and I will meditate on His work. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me through Christ. 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously lead me by the King. 30 I have chosen the path of the Good Shepherd; I set your Son before me. 31 I cling to the Lamb of God, O Lord; let me not be put to shame. 32 I will run in the path of Jesus, for you have enlarged my heart.

He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of the Son of David, and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may follow Jesus and keep close to Him with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of the Prince of Peace, for I delight in Him. 36 Incline my heart to Christ and not to selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things; give me life in Jesus. 38 Confirm your promise to your servant, that I may live in awe of Christ. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your judgments are good in the King of kings. 40 Behold, I long for Christ; in your righteousness give me life.

Waw
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation in Christ. 42 Then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in the King. 43 Take not the word of Christ from my mouth, for my hope is in Him. 44 I will keep close to my Redeemer forever and ever, 45 and I shall walk in freedom, for I seek Jesus. 46 I will speak of Christ before kings and shall not be ashamed, 47 for I find my delight in Jesus, whom I love. 48 I lift up my hands toward the Most High, and I will meditate on Him always.

Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope—Christ! 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise in the Beloved Son gives me life. 51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from Jesus. 52 When I think of Christ, I take comfort, O Lord. 53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake Jesus. 54 Your promises in Christ have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. 55 I remember the Bread of Heaven in the night, O Lord, and I keep close to Him. 56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have followed Jesus.

Heth
57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to follow Christ. 58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me through Jesus, your Son. 59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet toward Christ. 60 I hasten and do not delay to follow the example of Jesus. 61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget my King. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your goodness in my Savior. 63 I am a companion of all who follow Jesus, the Head of the Church, of those who keep near to Him. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me the way of Jesus!

Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your promises in Christ. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Jesus. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I follow Christ. 68 You are good and do good; teach me more of the way of the King. 69 The arrogant smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep close to the Lord. 70 Their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in my Messiah. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn the sufficiency of Jesus. 72 The life of Christ to me is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Jesus. 74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Jesus. 75 I know, O Lord, that your judgments are just, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me—to bring me to Christ. 76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise in Your Son. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for I delight in Your Son. 78 Let the arrogant be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on the Lord. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know the way of Jesus. 80 May my heart be blameless in Christ, my Maker, that I may not be put to shame.

Kaph
81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in Christ. 82 My eyes long for your promises; I ask, "When will you comfort me in the Savior?" 83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten Christ. 84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute Christ’s people? 85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to Jesus. 86 All your promises are sure; they are fulfilled in Jesus; help me, for I am being persecuted falsely. 87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken the Messiah. 88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep close to my Jesus.

Lamedh
89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in and through Christ. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast through Him. 91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things serve Jesus! 92 If your Christ had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Jesus, for by Him you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought Your Son. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider the King. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your grace in Christ Jesus is exceedingly broad.

Mem
97 Oh how I love Jesus! He is my meditation all the day. 98 Through Wisdom Himself, you make me wiser than my enemies, for He is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for the Rabbi is my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I hold fast to the King of Ages. 101 I keep my feet from every evil way, that I may walk in Jesus. 102 I do not turn aside from your path, for you have taught me through the Lord. 103 How sweet are the words of Jesus to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through my Savior I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Nun
105 Jesus, the Light of the World is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to follow Jesus’ way. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to the Son. 108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me through Your Son. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget Jesus, who truly holds my life. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from the King, my fortress. 111 Your promises are my heritage forever, for they are fulfilled in Jesus, the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, for the sake of the King of kings.

Samekh
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love Jesus. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in my Maker. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of Christ. 116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in Christ. 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for Christ continually. 118 You spurn all who go astray from Jesus, for their deceit is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love the Lord. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am in awe of Jesus.

Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors, O Jesus. 122 Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me—deliver me through the Messiah. 123 My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteousness in Christ. 124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your way in Jesus. 125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know my Master. 126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your Word in Jesus is being forgotten. 127 Therefore I love the Word above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way that denies Jesus.

Pe
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps Christ. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding of Jesus to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for Jesus. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love Jesus. 133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over Christ’s people. 134 Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep close to my Savior. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your way in King Jesus. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because your name in Jesus is not kept.

Tsadhe
137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and right is your rule in Christ. 138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness to the Good Shepherd. 139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget Jesus. 140 Your Word is well tried; it is pure and perfect in and through Christ. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget the Lamb of God. 142 Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your Word is truth in Jesus. 143 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commands in Christ are my delight. 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may know the Son.

Qoph
145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep the way of Jesus. 146 I call to you; save me, that I may walk in the Son. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; my hope is in my Messiah. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises in Jesus. 149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, give me life according to Your Son. 150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from Jesus. 151 But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true in our Lord. 152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever in Jesus.

Resh
153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Christ. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to Jesus. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek the King. 156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to Yeshua. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from our Lord. 158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep the Master. 159 Consider how I love Jesus; give me life according to your steadfast love. 160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous promises in Jesus endures forever.

Sin/Shin
161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Christ. 162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil in Jesus, the treasure. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love the Prince of Peace. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rule in Jesus. 165 Great peace have those who love Christ; nothing can make them stumble. 166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments in the Lord. 167 My soul keeps Jesus; I love him exceedingly. 168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before Your Son.

Tav
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to Jesus. 170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to Jesus. 171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your way in Jesus. 172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your promises are in Jesus. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Jesus. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your Word is my delight in Jesus. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me through Jesus. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget Jesus.