The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 5:37-40,
"And the Father who sent me [Jesus Christ] has himself testified concerning me. You [the Jewish leaders] have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Here is an amazing reality: people can study the Scriptures and never learn what they intend to communicate to us. What they intend to communicate, God's intention, is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to give his life as a ransom for us all, providing us a way to eternal life. All the Scriptures point to Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of all they intend. In 2 Peter 1:20-21 we read that the writers of Scripture spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit - and in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit points us to the Son of God.
"And the Father who sent me [Jesus Christ] has himself testified concerning me. You [the Jewish leaders] have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Here is an amazing reality: people can study the Scriptures and never learn what they intend to communicate to us. What they intend to communicate, God's intention, is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to give his life as a ransom for us all, providing us a way to eternal life. All the Scriptures point to Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of all they intend. In 2 Peter 1:20-21 we read that the writers of Scripture spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit - and in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit points us to the Son of God.
Jesus accused the Jewish leaders of not believing what Moses wrote, "But since you do not believe what he [Moses] wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?" Verse 47. In the previous verse we read, "If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me." Sincerely believing what the Scriptures say is required to get what God intends for us out of them.
Although these Jewish leaders studied their Bibles because they thought it would bring them eternal life, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life", it did them no good because they did not believe what was written there.
While reading our Bibles is a good thing, the activity really doesn't do anything for us if we don't believe what they have to say. The most erudite theologian, the greatest biblical historian, the top Hebrew and Greek scholars will never grasp the message of the Scriptures unless they believe from the heart what they have to say.
Although these Jewish leaders studied their Bibles because they thought it would bring them eternal life, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life", it did them no good because they did not believe what was written there.
While reading our Bibles is a good thing, the activity really doesn't do anything for us if we don't believe what they have to say. The most erudite theologian, the greatest biblical historian, the top Hebrew and Greek scholars will never grasp the message of the Scriptures unless they believe from the heart what they have to say.
And, neither will we.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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