Have there ever been better writers than Shakespeare, Milton, Thackery, Longfellow,   Twain and Hemingway? Yes! The most superb of all writers is the Holy Spirit. His   writings are consistently on the best seller lists, have lasted for centuries, and continue to captivate, motivate and teach readers generation after generation. In fact, the great writers of all time have taken instruction from Him.

Consider John 10:22. “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” Let me tell you why that is such powerful writing.

It slowly builds in intensity by giving a little information at a time connected by the word “and.” This draws you into the heart of His meaning. This is called polysyndeton. It does not build to a climax, but adds phrase upon phrase of information, each phrase demanding proper attention. We know it is December because the feast of the dedication is in December. We discover it is very cold because a further fact is mentioned — and it was winter. Since December is obviously cold, this statement expresses the intensity of that cold. Finally, we are told that Jesus walked in the temple.

What does all this mean?  The Jews so utterly rejected Jesus that no one invited him home for the night; further, no one allowed him to get close to the many fires in the temple rooms. In order to keep warm, Jesus walked. In this small passage, the Holy Spirit has given us the physical condition of Jerusalem, the emotional condition of Jesus, and the spiritual condition of the Jews —  just as a boxer delivers blow after blow after blow.

Wow! What great writing! You see, it pays to read and meditate on God’s word. Not only does the Holy Spirit give delicious spiritual food, but he throws in writing tips as a bonus. So read your Bible every day.

By the way, is there room near the fires of your heart for Jesus?

(To leave a reply, double click the title.)