NOV 10

Matthew 8:26
Memorise Psalm 107:29
“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still”

Matthew 27:28 describes the robe given to Jesus by His tormentors as a scarlet robe, whereas its parallel verse in John 19:2 states that Jesus’ robe is purple. This seems like a contradiction and certainly great concern is warranted since God claims that His Word is perfect. However, a difference in the way certain information is recorded in the Bible is not a contradiction or error unless there is no conceivable way of reconciling those differences. It is unlikely that Jesus would have been given a brand new robe. However, it is conceivable that this robe had originally been scarlet in colour but through the effects of time and age had turned a darker hue. Hence, Matthew chose to record the original colour of the robe whereas John (and Mark) chose to record the colour of the robe at the time it was given to Jesus. Likewise, did Jesus heal one blind man (Mark 10:46, Luke 18:35) or two (Matthew 20:3)? This can be explained again by the way the Gospel writers include or exclude certain details as they saw fit. Matthew’s account simply focuses on two of the blind men whereas in the other two Gospels, the focus is on just one. There may have been only two, or even more than two, blind men. The Bible does not say exactly. But we can see here that the apparent contradictions can be resolved in a plausible and reasonable fashion.

Thus instead of being doubtful and questioning the Word of God, the words of Jesus in Matthew 8:26 ask us: “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Likewise, we sometimes allow ourselves to have doubt that God’s Word is perfect simply because there are apparent “discrepancies” in the Gospels. If we meditate upon this issue more intently, we realise that the Gospels are like 4 men trying to describe something huge from their own unique perspective, but ultimately, they can be easily harmonized and the perfect unity of the 4 Gospels would hence be obvious.

Thought: Am I flushed with anger or red with fury? Both describe the same thing in different ways. There is no contradiction.
Prayer: Help us people of little faith, O Lord, and enable us to persevere in the faith until Christ’s soon return. Amen.