"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who  correctly handles the word of truth." (2Timothy 2:15).

There have been far too many spiritual casualties of 'religious wars'. Many people have come under false guilt and condemnation, needlessly slain by carelessly fired 'Bible bullets'. Others have been taken captive by legalism. Others have been deceived into disgraceful licentiousness. Still more have habitually played church regularly listening to messages that inform but do not transform. All because the word of truth has not been handled correctly.

Jesus is the model minister. He communicated the word of truth with grace. While never discounting the importance of the law and the prophets, he put their prescriptions and foreshadowings in their true context. He gave substance to their shadows. He brought people to the destination that was highlighted on the roadmap of the Old Testament.

Jesus gave deeper meaning not only to the ceremonial, civic and moral law of the Old Testament, but also to the narrative of the Israel's history. He claimed that Moses wrote of Him, not just as the 'law-giver on Sinai', but the One who would dwell among them as the 'law-keeper in their hearts'. His presence tabernacles with them because the unbroken tablets from Sinai were kept on their behalf in the ark of the covenant, which represented Christ. Jesus also described the death He would accomplish at Jerusalem as the greater 'exodus'. (Luke 9:31- the Greek word 'exodus' is used, sometimes translated as 'death' or 'departure').

We are called to be ministers of the New Testament which centers on the perfect work of redemption accomplished on our behalf by Jesus Christ. Even when we teach from the Old Testament (the only Bible that the apostles had!) we are to preach the New Testament message! Otherwise we are mishandling the word of truth.

Notice the clear parallel: The Passover Lamb was slain on the evening of the 14th day of Nisan (Exodus 12:6). Jesus was executed as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 1Corinthians 5:7) on the Passover (John 18-19). Three days later Moses and the children of Israel came to the Red Sea, which God parted in order to provide full deliverance from their enemy. Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day, which delivers us ultimately from the last enemy, death. This also corresponds with the Feast of First-fruits. On the fiftieth day in the wilderness, Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the Law and because of the people's disobedience 3,000 people died (Exodus 32:28). On the fiftieth day after the resurrection, Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to empower His people. The word of grace was preached and, because of the people's faith, 3,000 people were saved (Acts 2:41). This corresponds with the Feast of Pentecost. What a contrast between the two covenants! One ministers death, the other, life!

"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2Corinthians 3:6).

We honor the revelation of righteousness as it is found in both the New and Old Testaments. We must not look to ourselves but to Christ to fulfill it - Christ standing for me - as my righteousness, Christ living in me - as my holiness, Christ coming for me - for my redemption (1Corinthians 1:3). May His word of truth be handled with grace so that it ministers life!