How to Not Read the Bible
Opening Prayer
Good Father, open my eyes to see all that You have for me. Expand my mind to
understand what You are speaking.
Read John 5:31–47
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How has your faith deepened as a result of God challenging you to leave your “comfort zone”?When choosing products or services I like to check online reviews. Our need to check the claim that Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior is met in John’s Gospel (20:31) with evidence to inspire wonder and commitment. But not everyone sees it.
These religious Jews meet someone who does God’s work, speaks and acts with God’s authority (8,9,21,22,36) and is confirmed as God by human witnesses (33,36), Holy Scripture (39,46,47) and God himself (37). Why do they not accept him?
They read Scripture thinking that it was all about themselves and their legacy as God’s people handed down from the patriarchs. They failed to see the unfolding message of God’s faithfulness to humankind fulfilled in God’s Word becoming flesh.
We are intended to submit to Scripture and to let it convict and change us. We examine the Scriptures for the truth (Acts 17:11), not to be affirmed in our own self-importance (44). We allow the Scriptures to shape the way we live. We shouldn’t feel superior to these religious Jews; it is God’s Spirit who teaches us all things (14:26), even giving us concern for the eternal
well-being of Jesus’ enemies.
Apply
Is there something Jesus is trying to tell you that you are having a hard time accepting? Allow the Word to transform you.
Closing prayer
“The Lord is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psa. 100:5). Worship him!
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