3:276 – You Have To Read The Bible To Understand

#faithbites #faithjourney read

Lately, I have wanted to focus more on Jesus’s story and less on mine. Sure, I know that he was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was criciefied, died, and resurrected. I also know that he died for our sins, loves us unconditionally, and through his forgiveness, reunited us with the father. What I don’t have grasp on the specific things Jesus did while on Earth.

I was talking to one of our pastor’s the other day and he gave me “earth shaking news”. If you want to know about Jesus, you have to read the Bible. This may seem like a no-brainer but it caught me off guard. Most of my learning has come from seeing, listening, and doing. Never been much of a book person. We go to church, participate in small groups, listen to Christian music, share scripture everyday, but I rarely dig in and read.

It’s not rocket science, just an epiphany for me. How often do you actually read the bible? Not just daily devotions necessarily, but did into the word itself and go from there? I know I don’t do it much and that needs to change.

Scripture

• Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
• Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• John 5:39-40 – You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Reflection

The word is Jesus and Jesus is the word. In the Old Testament, we see that we should meditate on it day and night. That means we have to read it, memorize it, and know it. In Romans, it speaks of what was written and why. We need to read it for our endurance and for encouragement. In John, that’s where we see a bit of a change. It’s not just reading the word and searching for answers. We need to read the world, be in a relationship with Jesus as the Word, and living as Jesus did.

It’s a big jump from hearing to reading to living. I don’t know where on the continuum you are, but I’m just trying to get into the word. God has been messing with me, I love that term, by having me struggle to help my youngest with her memory verses. It’s a way for me to learn too.

Not much more to say than, to know Jesus’s story, we have to read it. Let’s get reading.

Challenge

Take a baby step today towards learning more about Jesus. Make a commitment to just open the word and read. If you miss a day, it’s ok. Just don’t miss two in a row. Pray for guidance as you read so that the Holy Spirit can make it impactful and meaningful. You never know how that word will shape your day.

Prayer

Father God, you gave us your word in writing and in flesh. Help us to dig into the written word and live according the word made flesh, Jesus. It’s not enough that we hear the greatness of what Jesus did for us, we need to know what he did on Earth so we can live like him.

Lord, give us patience with ourselves when we miss a day or more. Help us to realize how important it is to dig into the word, listen to it, and live it. We pray for your help, guidance, and endurance in this challenge to be more like you. In your name, Amen.