Knowing the Author
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” - John 5:39
There’s a big difference between knowing what the Bible says and knowing the God who said it. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day knew the Scriptures better than anyone. They memorized it, recited it, and even taught it. But when the Word made flesh stood right in front of them, they didn’t recognize Him.
Why? Because they knew the Law, but they didn’t know the Lord.
Jesus didn’t keep His identity a secret. He told them clearly and repeatedly. He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He said, “I and the Father are one.” He told them He would be seated at the right hand of God and return on the clouds of heaven. It wasn’t hidden. They just refused to believe it.
To the Pharisees, Jesus looked like a threat. He healed people on the Sabbath. He challenged their traditions. He didn’t follow their added rules, and that made Him look unrighteous in their eyes. But Jesus wasn’t breaking God’s Law. He was fulfilling it.
They thought He was watering down the standard. But He made it clear that He was the standard.
Here’s the danger. You can be around the Bible your whole life and still miss Jesus. You can highlight verses, sit through sermons, even lead in ministry, and still not have a relationship with the One the whole book points to.
Jesus said the Scriptures point to Him. Not just to moral lessons, or wise sayings, or religious behavior. To Him. So the question is: Are you reading to know more stuff or to know your Savior?
Don’t settle for religion without relationship. Don’t get so focused on following the rules that you miss the one who fulfilled them. Open your Bible not just for information but for transformation.
Because the Bible won’t save you. But the God of the Bible can.
There’s a big difference between knowing what the Bible says and knowing the God who said it. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day knew the Scriptures better than anyone. They memorized it, recited it, and even taught it. But when the Word made flesh stood right in front of them, they didn’t recognize Him.
Why? Because they knew the Law, but they didn’t know the Lord.
Jesus didn’t keep His identity a secret. He told them clearly and repeatedly. He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He said, “I and the Father are one.” He told them He would be seated at the right hand of God and return on the clouds of heaven. It wasn’t hidden. They just refused to believe it.
To the Pharisees, Jesus looked like a threat. He healed people on the Sabbath. He challenged their traditions. He didn’t follow their added rules, and that made Him look unrighteous in their eyes. But Jesus wasn’t breaking God’s Law. He was fulfilling it.
They thought He was watering down the standard. But He made it clear that He was the standard.
Here’s the danger. You can be around the Bible your whole life and still miss Jesus. You can highlight verses, sit through sermons, even lead in ministry, and still not have a relationship with the One the whole book points to.
Jesus said the Scriptures point to Him. Not just to moral lessons, or wise sayings, or religious behavior. To Him. So the question is: Are you reading to know more stuff or to know your Savior?
Don’t settle for religion without relationship. Don’t get so focused on following the rules that you miss the one who fulfilled them. Open your Bible not just for information but for transformation.
Because the Bible won’t save you. But the God of the Bible can.
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2 Comments
POWERFUL, Amen
I now know that I’m studying the Bible for the right reason. These devotionals are so inspiring