Faithful to His Word.

I have been given the assignment of reading through John for one of my worship teams at the Watch. For me it has been a daunting task to get through three chapters a day because I have entered such a new realm of revelation. I have read the gospels a thousand times, but this time I began with the intention of seeing who Jesus really is through the scripture. (In fact, this hasn't just applied to the book of John... this question has been awakened in me as I read all different passages of Scripture. I spent so much of my life reading the Bible as a narrative. But it's not just a story. It's the window into Who God IS. What an amazing gift! But I am digressing...)

So reading through three chapters a day is overwhelming. There is SO much in each verse. Each word is a window into the very character and personality of the God Man.

As I was reading through the book, I started to notice a pattern... there would be an event and then it would say, "This happened to fulfill..." and then reference an Old Testament prophecy or something Jesus had said earlier in His ministry. For some of these, it does seem pretty important that they be fulfilled completely.... such as:

³¹Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." ³² This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die."

This was referencing when Jesus says in John 12:32 that he is going to be lifted up from the earth (crucifixion) and this passage is about what kind of death Jesus' died. Matthew 20:19 is also a cross-reference for this passage...."and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

Ok. I mean... It's pretty important that Jesus' own predictions be fulfilled so that we would believe He is who He said He is, no? So it's understandable that God would cause this prophecy to be fulfilled....

But then.... there are a ton of other seemingly insignificant events that fulfill other prophecies.... here are just a few. You can look the context up if you're really interested.

John 12

¹⁴And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
¹⁵ "Fear not, daughter of Zion;behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!"

John 13:18
[ Jesus Predicts His Betrayal ] "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'

John 17:12
While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

John 18:9
This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

John 19:24
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

John 19:28
[ The Death of Jesus ] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." (when He drinks the sour wine)

John 19:36
These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"

So I ask myself....

Why does it matter how he rides into town??
Pilate didn't have to give him lashes before he let him go.... why did he??
Why does it matter whether or not they break Jesus legs?
Why did they decide not to tear Jesus' robe?
Why sour wine to drink? Why did Jesus ask for it??

The simplest, most basic answer is.... to fulfill the Word.

I may not understand all of the theological significances of all of these events (and I am sure there are wonderful mysteries to be encountered in searching them out!), but this one thing seems certain....

God will go out of His way time and time and time again to make certain that not one of His words returns void.
I know that Scripture tells us that again and again.... His word does not return void,

Isaiah 55:11
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.


that not one word falls to the ground....
1 Samuel 3:19
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.

But I don't think I ever actually saw the faithfulness of God to His word in Scripture until now.
What an amazing thing....

So in this I can be confident, that He will be faithful to fulfill every word He has spoken. He is the faithful and true one.

Psalm 27

³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

*I can be absolutely confident in Your Word, Lord. Thank you that You are faithful Thank You for showing me that You keep Your word.

It's an indisputable fact, not just a hopeful thought.

You really are faithful. For that reason I trust You.*

You are makin' me a mountain, makin me a mountain that cannot be shaken.