Jesus Didn't Speak 'Shakespeare'

The English language has helped in spreading God’s word all over the world. That is a good thing. However, there are some people that think that the written word as we know it is the way it's always been. It is sad, but true. Three years ago, we had an old, country preacher tell us that if the King James Version of the bible was good enough for Paul, it was good enough for him. We waited for a punch line. It never came. The man was serious.

Unfortunately, there is an element of society that has neglected to expand their minds to learn the meanings of the English words they speak, much less the Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek languages, and the cultures described in scripture, are all about.

Jesus said (Matt. 11:29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me. Did that mean to just learn about the 'spiritual' Jesus~the part that saves us~and not about the 'earthly' part~the part that tells us who Jesus was as a person? For example, how did the cultures, both Jewish and pagan, influence the actions of the people in Jesus’ time, and afterward?

Moreover, how did the introduction of Christianity, and its expansion throughout the last 2000 years, change cultures in the process? And, how many cultures have tried to alter Christianity during that time?

I am a firm believer in the adage “With knowledge comes responsibility.” I see a generation of Christians before me that have failed to ‘learn of’ Jesus.

We do not have to know about Jesus’ life, His culture, or cultures since, to receive Him, and have a relationship with Him. However, if I have pledged my life to someone that has given His life for me, I would want to know as much about Him as possible.  Am I the only one?

Jesus spoke an Aramaic dialect. Hebrew and Phoenician are derived from the Aramaic. There are disputes in some denominational circles as to whether the Greek should be ‘trusted’ to speak the New Testament truth.

With the scriptures now translated into so many languages, as well as ’versions’, it should make those less educated interested in where it all came from. ‘Alas!’ (A nice Shakespearean word!) It does not.

We have met some pastors that have never heard of a Geneva Bible, which came out some 50+ years before the 1611 King James. Still others do not know who Martin Luther is, other than ‘King’, the civil rights leader and minister gunned down in the ‘60’s. In addition, others have never heard of John Calvin, yet are a part of a denomination founded on his interpretations of scripture. Scary, isn’t it?

I have realized in my studies over the past few years  that the English, regardless of the ‘version’, leaves a lot to be desired for the real, meaningful definitions behind the words first written in Aramaic or Hebrew, and even the Greek. Not only have I gained a deeper understanding of the scriptures in general, but also studying the cultures that were prominent throughout ‘Bible-times’ makes me understand my Savior all the more.

He was God’s word in the flesh. What does that mean? It means that whatever God spoke, Jesus did. He was God's words in action!  What is it that John said? Chapter 21, verse 25: And there are also many other things which Jesus did, if everyone was written, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. His actions spoke one word loud and clear, regardless of language, or version of the bible: LOVE!

Jesus did not say 'ye', ‘thee’, ‘thou’, and ‘thy’. Nor did the verbs He used end in ‘eth’. Jesus did not speak 'Shakespeare.' 

His language is love.