Message from Scripture: 3/30/2021

Our message from Scripture today is John 20:30-31. “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Archeology has been the friend of the Bible for many years, as it has helped confirm the historical accuracy of so many events, places, and people recorded in Scripture. It is a great tool for those who may doubt the inspiration and truthfulness of the Biblical record. In modern times, however, there have been so called scholars who want to call into doubt, or simply dismiss, anything the Bible states. Such has been the case with Jesus teaching in synagogues.

For example, Matthew tells us Jesus “went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt. 4:23). Luke also tells us, “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read” (Luke 4:16). Scripture here tells us this was not an infrequent thing Jesus did, but something that was His custom, something He was accustomed to doing, his habit.

Skeptics claim there were no synagogues in Israel until after the destruction of the 2^nd temple in Jerusalem, in AD 70. However, in 2020 the remains of a 2^nd temple era synagogue was discover at Beth Shemesh, well before the Romans destroyed the temple. In fact, there are other 1^st century synagogues that have been discovered as well. Don’t believe those with an agenda against Scripture; trust your Bible, as it is what it claims to be, the very word of God. As the psalmist wrote, “The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psa. 119:160). God bless.

Robert