I am a Jesus Pusher! “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus contrasts this end of creation with the continuation of the Scriptures. He refers to “one jot or tittle” to illustrate this truth, a proverbial mode of expression among the Jews. The Greek word “iota,” translated as “jot,” is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet and expresses smallness or the minutest part of something. The Hebrew word “yodh” refers to the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which looks like an apostrophe. The Greek word “keraia,” translated “tittle,” means “little horn.” It refers to the small marks that help distinguish one Hebrew letter from another. An example is in the English language. We determine the letter “c” from the letter “e” by the “tittle inside the “e.” Not only will the smallest letter not be erased, but even the smallest part of a letter will not be erased from the Scriptures. The tiniest, most insignificant part of the Scriptures will not be removed or modified!
How easily we translate the Scriptures and add our thoughts. We do not have the original manuscripts, which creates questions about our present Bible. The original language of the Scriptures is not our language, which demands translation. Scholars differ on word meanings based on the context of the passage. Personal theology shades our view and determines our translation. Even with all these difficulties, Jesus calls us to an openness to the indwelling Living Word revealing the Written Word. Will we bend our lives under the authority of the Word? I am a Jesus Pusher!