All the Parts Make a Whole

Have you ever heard the story about the seven blind men and the elephant? Each man touched one part of the elephant and then concluded what an elephant was like. The first touched an ear and said an elephant was like a great fan. One touched the tail and argued that an elephant was like a rope. As each man touched a different part, he became fully convinced in his mind that he knew exactly what an elephant was like based on his own personal experience. Each was partially right, but no one was totally right.
Now those of us who have actually seen an elephant know and understand that an elephant is the sum of all those parts. We can see the big picture—the whole picture. What if those seven men could come together as a community and share their perspectives? Don’t you think that is an important part of why God puts us into a community? None of us has everything figured out in the scriptures, but when we come together, we can share and discuss those things we have discovered. As each person shares his understanding and perspective on God’s word, we are all edified and built up in the faith. If someone presents an idea we have never considered before, we can take that opportunity to delve into the Word and search for ourselves just as the Bereans were known to do.
Is it possible that a scripture could have more than one meaning or correct interpretation? Take the verse in Matthew 11:29. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” All of my Christian life I have heard that explained using the concept of a yoke and oxen. Many have said that if we yoke ourselves with Christ, he will help carry our burden which will result in rest for our souls. That following him will not weigh us down, and that he will, in fact, keep us on the right path.
Recently, I have heard that in Biblical times, in which Jesus lived and taught, each Rabbi was said to have a yoke. His yoke was what he considered to be the greatest commandment because it determined how he would interpret the scriptures for himself and for his students. Some thought the greatest commandment was “Keep the Sabbath holy.” As such, these were the men who found fault with Jesus healing on the Sabbath. They were also the ones who created various restrictions and placed them on others to be sure that the Sabbath was not violated. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Now, which interpretation of the yoke is correct? What if they both are? And what if there is yet another facet to that verse that we have not yet discovered? When it comes to understanding the scriptures, is it possible that we are sometimes like the seven blind men? Do we ever think our interpretation is the only right interpretation and thus, limit our ability to learn more? Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear.” Until everything in God’s word is disclosed and we have a complete understanding, we need to search and study to show ourselves approved. My prayer is that as a community of believers we can continue to sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron.