The Jesus Hermeneutic

By Matt Hester

Leaders, as we navigate the complex realm of faith and interpretation, it becomes increasingly evident that our relationship with the Bible holds profound significance. However, amidst our reverence for this sacred text, we must guard against losing sight of its primary purpose: guiding us to Jesus.

Difficulties arise with the Bible when its primary purpose, that of guiding us to Jesus, is obscured. It is crucial to remember that the Bible is not the ultimate goal; it is neither God itself nor the focal point of our faith. Rather, Jesus is our ultimate aim, our God, in whom we place our trust. The value of the Bible lies in its role as God’s Word, faithfully directing us to the living Word of God, Jesus Christ.

Forgetting this can lead us astray, even as we diligently study the Bible! Jesus Himself expressed this when He said, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40).

The Pharisees tragically made Scripture an end in itself, using it as proof texts to validate themselves and condemn others. They prioritized knowledge of the Scriptures over obeying God’s will and used them as weapons against their enemies. Unfortunately, modern-day Pharisees often follow the same pattern.

Emily Brontë, in her novel Wuthering Heights, describes an intolerant, judgmental Christian with this scathing sentence: “He was, and likely still is, the most tiresome, self-righteous Pharisee imaginable, who scoured the Bible to claim promises for himself and hurl curses at his neighbors.” This observation by Brontë echoes the thoughts of Leo Tolstoy, who said, “People who claim to be Christians but do not live accordingly are the most dangerous enemies of Christianity.”

When we lose sight of the Bible’s role in leading us to Jesus, we risk manipulating it to fit our desires. It becomes like a trained dog, obedient to our whims. With a concordance and a little ingenuity, we can cherry-pick passages to support our opinions in minutes. Proof-texting becomes a game, where almost anything can be “proved” using selective Bible verses. Wars, capital punishment, slavery, the subjugation of women and ethnic cleansing have all been justified this way. But Jesus doesn’t endorse any of these practices! If Christians don’t interpret the Bible in the context of Christ’s teachings, they might as well not read it at all.

For Christians, the first half of the Bible tells the inspired story leading to Jesus—the Word of God in human form. Along this journey, we see evolving perspectives that we should acknowledge. Practices like ritual sacrifice, violence, dietary laws and cultural sanctions in God’s name are all eventually reconsidered.

The rituals of animal sacrifice, stoning Sabbath-breakers and killing children are all part of the narrative leading to the Messiah’s arrival. But once Jesus comes, everything must be seen in light of His teachings. Jesus rescues the Bible from being just another violent religious text. He brings a new perspective, preventing it from becoming merely violent and vengeful.

Speaking of violent religious texts, Christians often criticize other religious texts, such as the Rig Veda, the Analects of Confucius or the Quran in the same way they could critique the Bible if interpreted in a certain manner. I know little about these other writings, but I’m aware that one can justify various atrocities by reading the Bible as a literal text, devoid of Christ’s light.

This is when the Bible becomes harmful. When it provides legalistic loopholes to avoid following Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, it hinders genuine discipleship. It’s true—there’s a harmful way of interpreting the Bible that stunts spiritual growth.

Using Scriptural texts to create an echo chamber of confirmation bias always produces a god in our own image. If you’re looking for a violent, punitive God, the Bible can certainly produce that. If you’re seeking endorsement for capital punishment, you can find it in the Bible. If you want justification for hating or marginalizing your enemies, the Bible can provide that, too. If you’re looking for divine validation for every opinion you hold, the Bible can supply it. If you want to justify your pompous, self-righteous attitude, the Bible can accommodate that as well. If you want assurance that only those who believe just like you will enter heaven, the Bible can reassure you. When we interpret the Bible through our own flawed projections of God, we can manipulate its message to make it say almost anything, including our own biases and misconceptions about God.

Should your inclination be toward peace, nonviolence, mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, humility, advocacy and love, the Bible offers guidance in these virtues by consistently directing attention to Jesus. Approaching the Bible with altruistic intent reveals its message: “Focus on Jesus, for He embodies the true Word of God.” When the Bible serves as a dependable roadmap leading to Jesus, it becomes beneficial. This marks the beginning of recognizing the consistent character and nature of God throughout the inspired record.

Answer this question for yourself: If you never encountered another Bible verse for the remainder of your life, could you still love and be loved by Jesus? The Bible should point us to Jesus, but it cannot be what we are ultimately rooted in. Beyond merely interpreting Scripture, Jesus desires to serve as the framework for every aspect of our lives. Our actions and decisions should be shaped and guided by Jesus. Our interactions with others should reflect the life and love of Jesus. Our efforts to heal and restore others should be rooted in the redemptive heart of Jesus.

Through the life and teachings of Jesus, we encounter the clear and distinct image of God. According to Jesus, the conclusion of the biblical story differs significantly from narratives portraying a violent God. While our projected images of the New Testament book of Revelation depict the world’s end with a war of retribution resulting in the destruction of a third of God’s children, Jesus presents a vision of the world’s end as a grand banquet to which all of God’s children are welcomed. These two contrasting images are irreconcilable. It’s not a scenario of battle followed by a banquet; rather, they represent dramatically different perspectives.

For Christians, Jesus should stand as the ultimate revelation of God. He humanizes God’s essence. Jesus unveils God’s authentic nature to us through His words, “Be compassionate as your Father in heaven is compassionate” (Luke 6:36, NLT). Jesus urges us to embrace radical living and love because that’s the essence of God. Give generously, forgive boundlessly and love unreservedly. Jesus’ life testifies to a God of love and nonviolence who transcends labels of “good” and “bad.”

Jesus had a radical approach to interpreting sacred texts, yet He deeply respected the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. While His use of Scripture is evident in the Gospels, many Christians read the Bible differently without noticing. Following are several examples of Jesus’ interpretive method:

Jesus didn’t quote Scripture extensively, and He was criticized for it, as He taught with inner authority rather than like the scribes (see Mark 1:22). He often spoke from His own experience of God and humanity, unlike the scribes and Pharisees who relied on case law from previous sources. Jesus sometimes referenced non-Jewish or non-canonical sources, expanding beyond sola scriptura. He even quoted sources seemingly inaccurately (see John 10:34).

While Jesus had a few favorite books like Exodus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Hosea and the Psalms, He ignored many others from His own Scriptures, especially those endorsing violence, imperialism, exclusion, purity and dietary laws. When Jesus did quote Leviticus, He emphasized the positive mandate to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), ignoring the negative mandates.

Jesus possessed a discerning insight, recognizing which passages aligned with God’s true intentions and which were mere cultural, self-serving or legalistic additions. When Christians insist that every line in the Bible holds equal importance or authority, they diverge from Jesus’ approach.

As leaders, let us never forget that the Bible is a means to an end, not the end itself. Our ultimate aim is to know and follow Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s Word. The Bible serves as a roadmap, guiding us toward Him. Our interpretations and applications of Scripture should always be rooted in His teachings of love, compassion and mercy. As we lead and guide others, may we reflect the character and nature of God revealed through Jesus, allowing His transformative power to shape every aspect of our lives and leadership.