39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
All of Scripture – from Genesis to Revelation – points us to Jesus. It is God’s revealed will given to show us the Way. Just as the wise men followed a star to find the baby Jesus, so too, we are given the light of the Word of God which points us to our Savior. We must therefore diligently search the Scriptures for Christ - as one would search for treasure in a field - as they all bear witness to Him – Christ being the hidden treasure in its midst. I am reminded of the words of our risen Savior on the road to Emmaus as He walked with two of His dismayed disciples – teaching them along the way – all the while His identity being unbeknownst to them:
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)
Wow! What a Bible study lesson that must have been! It is no wonder they said to each other: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Their words were not too dissimilar to the words God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah who stated:
29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jer 23:29 (NIV)
Again, Jesus tells His disciples the following after His resurrection:
44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Luke 24:44 (NIV)
How often have we approached the Word of God erratically – whimsically flipping through its pages seeking to discover a treasure here or there or perhaps a calming balm for our hurting hearts. By our capricious ways we often miss the Treasure. Others of us have sought biblical knowledge as one seeks expertise in any field. Much like the Pharisees who prided themselves on the knowledge of the Law, we can become quite puffed up and prideful over our familiarity with the Word – all together missing the point which is, of course, Jesus.
The key to the proper understanding of Scripture is found in the verse following the one above:
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 (NIV)
James puts it yet in another way:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 (NIV)
“The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.” D. W. Moody
Proverbs also states:
6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov 2:6 (NIV)
We are to approach God’s Word both prayerfully and expectantly - asking God for wisdom and discernment - expecting to be taught great Truth. It is His delight to open our minds - through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit - to the Truth of His Word.
12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:12-14 (NIV)
It is His desire to show us more and more of His Son. I am reminded of Paul’s words to his beloved Timothy:
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:14-17 (NIV)
Christ offers us life – the Scriptures testify to this – yet many refuse Him not due so much to lack of understanding as due to stubborn will. This Truth, however, remains firm:
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)
“Man needs, above all else, salvation.” Norman Goodacre