How It Was Written

Good morning on an April day of um... I'm searching here, um, first quarter moon day! That is so lame. I guess some days don't get much credit when the calendar is handed out each year. I wonder what the disciples and apostles were doing on this day after Jesus rose from the grave. Did they immediately begin comparing notes for a tell-all bestselling memoir? No, from a little detective work by the scholars, it seems that most gospels did not get written right away. We know from our own experience that memories tend to get watered down over the years, at least most memories do. How did the gospel writers agree so much after so long? The key is in John 14:26

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

All things? Yup, all things. That is how Luke could interview eye witnesses and write his gospel. Matthew and John remembered the conversations from years past. John Mark wrote down words from the older disciples. We have the Gospels because of the Holy Spirit.

We would like to think that Jesus picked out a dozen or so with super memories, but the men and women who travelled with Jesus were so much like you and me that Jesus chose us too. Memorizing scripture is good, but trusting in the Holy Spirit to remind us is better. You might look at Bible study as filling up the tool belt, but the Holy Spirit is the teacher who shows us how to use those tools properly. We need the Spirit, and God has provided!

Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Bucky