PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 5:31-50
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You study the Scriptures diligently… yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)
By these words, Jesus shows us something I need to be aware of, and beware of.
It is possible for ‘very devout’ bible readers to refuse to listen to Jesus.
It is possible for the most ‘spiritual believers’ to not know Jesus (Matthew 7:22-23).
We might agree with this, and even think of some people who this might apply to.
But beware of shifting the focus away from yourself, because Jesus is speaking to you.
The pharisees didn’t think they were guilty of refusing God’s voice, and yet they were.
I spend a lot of time reading and applying the bible, but Jesus looks beyond this.
Jesus is looking for me to come to him, to spend time with him, to trust in him.
Jesus, not the bible, is our hope, our source of life and forgiveness and transformation.
Jesus did not say ‘come to the bible and you will find rest’ but ‘come to me!’
Our confidence in our bible studies, our sermons, our theologies, etc. is misplaced.
We can use the bible as a tool, but it is not the point, Jesus is!
Jesus is the author of the book; let his book help you get to know him!
Do I read the bible with Jesus; do I find my life in living WITH, LIKE and FOR him?
PRAYER
Lord, it is you – and not the book – that is speaking to me. Help me to choose – not refuse – you and what you are saying to me.
“the very Scriptures that testify about me” I look at the scriptures now with a different lens. I not only see the drama of how God is rescuing me/us when we botched it and struck out on our own – but I also see how God carried out his promises – and how that was manifest through the patriarchs, through Israel – through David and how we can see how it all points to the Messiah – to Jesus. Yes there is testimony of Jesus in the Old Testament – the prophets etc. pointing to Jesus. Like the picture of Jesus in Isa. 53 – how Jesus carried my sin like a lamb to the slaughter. I see it. Help me to help others see it too!
God’s Word.
His Word points to Jesus, my living hope.
St. Augustine, says “The New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old is by the New revealed.” The revelation is Jesus. His Word tells me, opens up for me, who Jesus is. He is the answer for my daily living. His Word brings me closer to my Saviour.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way
Still You’re there right beside me
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
[Chorus]
I will not forget your love for me
And yet my heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide, hold me to Your side
And I will love You to the end
[Chorus]
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
[Chorus]
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path