Speaking the Truth in Love
Seeing The Whole Picture
Ø The importance of seeing the whole picture in…
a. Driving- to drive safely we must be able to see everything around us
b. Sports- to protect the quarterback we have to be able to see our opponents
c. Food- farmers have to constantly check the weather to protect their crops
d. Construction-builders have to take in to account every aspect of a structure to properly build it
Ø The same rule applies to the scriptures in order to see the whole picture we must:
a. Context-know the context of the scripture you are reading
b. Complete account-to please God in every aspect of our lives and to be right in all things in accordance with the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)
Ø Example 1: The accounts of Malchus’ Ear
a. Matt 26:47-54 tells us that it was one with Jesus that cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest and then told him to put his sword away.
b. Mark 14:43-50 tells us that it was one that stood by that cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest.
c. Luke 22:47-51 tells us that one of them smote and cut off the right ear of the high priest’s servant, which Jesus then heals.
d. John 18:7-11 tells us that Peter had a sword and drew it and cut off the right ear ofMalchus, the high priest’s servant.
Ø Synopsis of Malchus Incident: One that was with Jesus, Peter, had a sword, drew it and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest, whose name was Malchus. After that, Jesus told Peter to put the sword away and healed Malchus’ ear. In order to understand the incident we must consider all four gospel accounts.
Ø Example 2: Peter’s Denials
Ø Denial Synopsis: Peter follows Jesus at a distance and ends up in a courtyard at a time when it was cold and was warming himself by a fire. A servant girl of the high priest first mentions his association with Jesus, which is his first denial. Later some bystanders also mention his association, which is his second denial. Finally, a relative of Malchus’mentions his association, which is Peter’s final denial. Again-in order to understand the incident we must consider all four gospel accounts.
Ø To see all of what Asa did you have to read not only 1 Kings 15, but also 2 Chronicles 16:7-10.
Ø Seeing all of the ministry of Jesus. The “Wedding at Cana” is not in any other Gospel, so you have to read John 2:1-11 to get this part of Jesus’ ministry.
Ø Thieves on the Cross
a) Matt 27:44 “Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him.”
b) Mark 15:32 “Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.”
c) Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 - One criminal blasphemed and the other rebuked Him and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus said that he would be with Him in paradise that day.
d) John 19:18 “…one on either side, and Jesus in the center.”
*An interesting note today is that many claim they can be saved the same way as one of the thieves on the cross. Today one is by obeying the Lord, believing Him, confessing that He is the Son of God, repenting of sins, and being baptized in water to wash away those sins (Matthew 28:19-20).
Ø “The Triumphant Entry”
a) Matt 21:1-19 - The same thing happened two days in a row and Matthew is the only Gospel that has this.
b) John 12:12-19 - This Gospel doesn’t mention Jesus’ instructions for his disciples about the colt.
c) Mark 11:1-11 and Luke 19:28-48 also have something about “The Triumphant Entry”, but are pretty much the same and unlike the Matthew and John accounts.
Ø Becoming Saved
a) Mark 16:16 Belief and baptism
b) Acts 8:36-39 Baptism
c) Romans 10:9 Confessing
d) Romans 10:13 Calling on the name of the Lord
e) 1 Pet 3:21 Baptism
f) 2 Thes 2:9-10 Receive the love of the truth
g) Acts 2:38 Repentance and baptism
Ø Conclusion: We now see the importance of seeing the whole picture, or the entirety of God’s word (Psalm 119:160). This includes all aspects of His word, including the Old and New Testaments, becoming saved, the history of Israel and of the world, and the ministry of Jesus. We need to always make sure that we are seeing the whole picture when it comes to God’s word. Not just the parts we like or want to focus on. Because God’s Word will judge us one day (John 12:48). How about you. Are you ready to be judged by the Lord? If not, we want to encourage and help you to make your life right with Him now. We hope to see you next time on “Speaking The Truth In Love”.
