By Joe Slater
As John the immerser sought to calm his fretful
disciples, he told them, “He whom God has sent (i.e.
Jesus) speaks the words of God, for God does not give
the Spirit by measure” (John 3:34). What better reason
would anyone need for following Jesus?
Our Lord Himself stressed that He spoke God’s words:
“My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent Me” (John
7:16). Later He reaffirmed, “…all things that I heard
from My Father I have made known to you” (John
15:15).
Many prophets preceding Jesus spoke the words of
God; but Jesus was superior to them all. He out-ranked
them. He spoke not only what He was told by
inspiration, but what He had seen and heard. And He
possessed the Spirit without measure.
Beyond any shadow of doubt, the old prophets were
inspired by the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel, for example, says
over and over, “The word of the Lord came to me,
saying…” This shows that Ezekiel’s inspiration was
not continuous; from day to day and time to time, as the
need arose, God gave Ezekiel His words
Jesus, however, received the Holy Spirit at His baptism, as
witnessed by John who saw the Spirit descending like a
dove. Jesus had the Spirit to the fullest extent, like no other
before or since. We can know and be assured that Jesus
spoke the words of God, and that we are safe in following
Him.
Groveland, FL