Nothing Much Has Changed

John 5:39-47

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you--Moses, in whom you trust.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?


So few verses but so many thoughts. Each sentence a gold mine.

I repeatedly say that the Bible is the Word of God. That it is truth and wisdom. That it has been written that we might know Him. That through these words we might have life. That only through the Word, Who is Jesus, power will come to understand these words and bring that life.

Jesus continues to preach to the Pharisees, those religious men. They proclaim they know scripture, yet deny Jesus is the Christ though they have read about Him...in the Old Testament. The New Testament had yet to be written...

He tells them that if they searched scriptures and knew them they would have eternal life because they spoke of Him who was to come, but because they reject Him they reject life. Ouch.

He goes on to allude that they will receive honor from men, their contemporaries, but do not receive Him. This rebuke must have angered them. Who was He to tell them they were wrong? Then He states in other words that He is God...and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? The only God...

The Pharisees knew of Moses, knew his words. They put their faith in Moses, a mere man but would not put their faith in the One of whom Moses preached. He may not have used Jesus' name but through prophetic words. Jesus came and fulfilled his prophecy. However, they rejected His words...the words of life. No other man, whether pastor, priest or rabbi, can do the work of Jesus. Moses put his faith in God. He spoke words for future generations that they might also believe:

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of the Lord your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die.’ “And the Lord said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:15-22)

God would raise up a Prophet...capital P. The LORD said He would put His words in His mouth and He would speak all that He was commanded by Him. Hearing His words would be required. Not hearing would bring death, not life. Jesus told us previously that He only came to do the will of the Father. He spoke and healed. Jesus spoke the truth and it was not received by all.

Not much has changed. Jesus is still rejected as the only Way to life. Many, even like the religious leaders of Jesus' day, still put their trust in men. But one day every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus is Lord...it will be required.

I may not have always known Jesus. I may have rejected Him, though I knew of Him, but I do today. And when we get our minds wrapped around His words, He wraps His love around our hearts and grants us eternal life. We have the scriptures that speak of Him and His miracles. Will we be like Pharisees and not believe what has been written for our understanding?

Matthew 11:4-6 - Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

The Word Becomes Life

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

I got to thinking about how Jesus told us to come as little children. It is my understanding that despite the King James Version of the Bible with all the thees and thous and suffereths, it is supposed to be at a sixth grade reading level. Not sure how accurate this is since I've seen differing opinions. What I know is it's our minds that stumble over those old words. 

I chose the New King James Version because it takes those old words and uses today's language. Some other versions I have set aside because they leave scripture out that appears in the King James. We are told: For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book (Revelation 22:18). Although it may sound like a reference only to the Book of Revelation, I believe it is telling us that it refers to the entire Bible...God's Words are true and should not be compromised.

Then there's the scripture about little children. Matthew 18:3 - [Jesus said] Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. This means with minds desiring to learn. There are so many people who do not even pick up the Bible because they are intimidated by it. Maybe intimidated by what they think will be hard to comprehend. But if the KJV is geared at sixth grade level…who can't understand it?

There is, however, this thing about the power of the Holy Spirit opening up the understanding of our minds to the things in God's Word. I don't think for a minute most people couldn't read the Bible and understand it. It will make some sense to them. But it's through the power of the Holy Spirit that a depth to these words becomes available. The words come alive. The Word becomes life. 

I have for a long time believed, although I can't confirm this, that between the lines of scripture there's a meaning that even the most wise Christian will never see, unless God's revelation knowledge is given to him...and that might never happen. Maybe, though, Romans 11:33a is a hint: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

I'm grateful for what little knowledge and tidbits of wisdom I receive. It makes life so much more interesting. Please don't think I say this out of arrogance. Wisdom is out there for anyone to receive. It must be received not through man's own determination or perceived wisdom but through the power of God.

This is a bit of a rabbit trail: I remember reading some comments awhile back on the internet regarding Obama's hope and change stance. A person used the Beatitudes from the Bible to point a finger to say, "See, it's God's will that the poor will be taken care of and the rich are bad." 

Jesus was neither condemning the rich nor speaking of monetarily poor people. He was referring to those who are poor in spirit. We all come from this spiritually desolate lifestyle until we come to know Jesus. Before knowing Christ, we are fed from the world, not the Word; we are clothed in filthy rags, not robes of righteousness. No money will buy us out of this condition. But it is offered to us freely. We are all poor until Jesus Christ comes into our lives. 

We become rich when we receive Christ and the wonders of the Word. This Book shows us how we can live in joy and peace through any circumstance life might bring. We are never promised a life of pure comfort in Christ (He certainly didn't have an easy life), but that peace that passes all understanding lies deep within our spirit that we might endure. And when we come as little children and we let our "adult" thoughts go by the wayside for a time, we are able to receive.

When we were little children we listened and learned. We ate up the knowledge given to us. Our personalities were formed. But when we got to a certain age of reason, we thought we could begin to trust in ourselves and started thinking on our own. 

We have every opportunity to know Christ. We only need to have ears to hear and eyes to see. We have the Word, even churches that preach a solid word. There are those who have repeatedly directed others to the Word, to Christ, but like I said yesterday, He's being rejected. Some have chosen not to hear, learn or listen. 

We think we can live without an Authority figure. The truth is, we cannot. We must turn back into that child we once were and listen to that Authority...receive a very important word and gift from a very important Man. He will give us all we need. He will open the eyes of our understanding in ways we could never imagine. His Spirit will direct our paths and enlighten us to the things of God. 

The Bible is our tool. It is the Word of God. It shows us how to live. What amazes me is that God has used a myriad of people throughout His Book to help us relate to ourselves. From murderers, thieves, liars, the sexually immoral, adulterers to innocent little children. There isn't anyone in this world (nothing new under the sun) that can't be found as an example of how we all need a Savior. Then our life truly begins.

2Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.