SCRIPTURE
The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven't seen His form. You don't have His word living in you, because you don't believe the One He sent. You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:37-40)
OBSERVATION
Jesus leveled some of his harshest criticism at the religious leaders of the day. In this paragraph he is reprimanding them because they did not recognize who he was. They were experts in the Bible (Old Testament)...the very books that prophesied about his coming. Yet, they were unwilling to follow him so they would have life. They were looking for life in knowing the scripture rather than in knowing him. Ironically, it was in knowing him that the scripture would live in their lives.
APPLICATION
I remember the warnings throughout bible college, "Don't let the bible become a textbook." It's easy to do--study it, memorize it, know it from cover to cover. It is possible while gathering all the knowledge to miss the One to whom the bible points...Jesus. I even read recently that there are atheistic bible scholars who know the bible inside and out just to disprove its veracity and Jesus historicity. I have to remember the bible is the means not the end. It points me to Christ. Yes, it contains all I need to know for faith, but acquiring the knowledge is not the goal. Falling in love with Jesus is. I need to move the bible from my head to my heart, where it affects my life and my love of Christ. This year I need to guard against just knowing facts and use the bible to fuel my faith as I follow Jesus. I need to study, memorize, and know the bible so I can know more of him.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see Jesus in the bible. May it fuel my faith and my relationship with Christ. Help the words to move from my head to my heart and out into my life.
