Week 16, Day 2: Unbelievable Bible Stories!

Today’s Reading:  Matthew 3:1-4:25

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

Yesterday, we considered the idea of having a love for truth.  The basis for loving truth has to come from believing what God has revealed, even when it seems difficult to believe.  There are many accounts revealed in the pages of the Bible that test our willingness to accept the “unbelievable.”  Are we going to accept the truth, even if it challenges the things that we know to be true about the natural world?

There are many things that are contrary to natural occurrence in the Bible.  The story of Jonah and the great fish relates a man swallowed by a great fish, living in its belly for 3 days.  The book of Joshua speaks of a day in which the sun did not set when it should, shining in the noon time position for a whole day.  Genesis speaks of a flood that covered the whole world.  The book of Matthew relates to us the birth of Jesus.  Are we going to believe these “unbelievable Bible stories”?

Matthew 1:18-25 tells us that Jesus was born of a virgin, which was exactly what the prophet Isaiah had predicted (Isaiah 7:14).  Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He was called the Son of God.  Verse 21 tells us that His name was called Jesus (Savior) because he would save His people from their sins.

There are many people who choose not to believe this account of the birth of Christ.  It simply cannot be, because virgins don’t have babies!  Realize that if you reject this Bible account of Jesus’ birth, you must reject the rest of the account of Jesus’ life.  If you reject the account of Jesus’ life, then you must reject His teaching.  How can we have any confidence in any of the Bible message?  If the Bible is partly not true, then all of it is untrustworthy!

Some accounts in the Bible may be difficult for us to accept.  But, God has provided enough evidence for us throughout the rest of the Bible, and through the natural creation, to give us confidence in Him and His revelation.  We must truly have a love for truth to be able to come to belief in God, and trust His word.  When we come to a belief in who He is, then these accounts are not hard to understand.  Why would it be difficult for an all powerful God to cause a man to be swallowed by a great fish?  Why would it be difficult for Him to perform miracles?  Why would it be difficult for Him to send His son to earth by way of a virgin?

Do you believe the unbelievable Bible stories?