JESUS CLOSED THE BOOK
In Luke 4:17-26, Jesus read from the Isaiah 62:1-2, and then “...closed the book and gave it back to
the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.” Isn’t it
interesting that every eye was on Him as He “closed the book”? He had their undivided attention. In this
passage Jesus literally “closed the book.” There are some ways in which Jesus figuratively “closed the
book.” For example:
Jesus “closed the book” on the Old Testament prophecies. “Think not that I am come to destroy the
law or the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). Jesus fulfilled the law itself
(Gal. 3:24-25). In Colossians 2:14 Paul writes about Jesus, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Yes,
the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled and Jesus has “closed the book” on them.
Jesus also “closed the book” on the Scriptures--no more is to be added. “According as his divine
power hath granted us to all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him
that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). Have you ever noticed that no new books or in-
spired writings have been added to the New Testament in over two thousand years? Why? Because Jesus
“closed the book” on that.
Jesus “closed the book” on salvation. No one else can die for our sins, and no one else can offer us
salvation. Anyone who isn’t saved in Christ isn’t saved--at all. Yes, it really is that simple. Jesus is the
only means salvation, of access to the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:18). His death was a sub-
stitute for ours; “For the wages of sin is death...” (Rom. 6:23). Jesus has done His part. No man or
woman standing before the judgment bar of God can make the charge: “If Jesus had just done a little
more...” If a man does not repent, it is not because he has not been sufficiently warned by God in His
Word. Jesus loved us enough and gave enough--what more could anyone ask? If we stand before God
and Jesus at the judgment and are lost, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Do I hear an amen?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If the Bible is mistaken in telling us from whence we came, how can
we trust it to tell us where we are going?
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.” Isn’t it
interesting that every eye was on Him as He “closed the book”? He had their undivided attention. In this
passage Jesus literally “closed the book.” There are some ways in which Jesus figuratively “closed the
book.” For example:
Jesus “closed the book” on the Old Testament prophecies. “Think not that I am come to destroy the
law or the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). Jesus fulfilled the law itself
(Gal. 3:24-25). In Colossians 2:14 Paul writes about Jesus, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Yes,
the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled and Jesus has “closed the book” on them.
Jesus also “closed the book” on the Scriptures--no more is to be added. “According as his divine
power hath granted us to all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him
that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). Have you ever noticed that no new books or in-
spired writings have been added to the New Testament in over two thousand years? Why? Because Jesus
“closed the book” on that.
Jesus “closed the book” on salvation. No one else can die for our sins, and no one else can offer us
salvation. Anyone who isn’t saved in Christ isn’t saved--at all. Yes, it really is that simple. Jesus is the
only means salvation, of access to the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:18). His death was a sub-
stitute for ours; “For the wages of sin is death...” (Rom. 6:23). Jesus has done His part. No man or
woman standing before the judgment bar of God can make the charge: “If Jesus had just done a little
more...” If a man does not repent, it is not because he has not been sufficiently warned by God in His
Word. Jesus loved us enough and gave enough--what more could anyone ask? If we stand before God
and Jesus at the judgment and are lost, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Do I hear an amen?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If the Bible is mistaken in telling us from whence we came, how can
we trust it to tell us where we are going?
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
Comments
Post a Comment