Listen:
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)
Reflect:
Experts in the Torah and religious authorities so dedicated to the memorization of scripture and faithful teaching of God’s law completely missed it when God himself came in human flesh as the long awaited for Messiah. How is this possible?
I know how. I’ve missed him before too. The difference between a pharisee and the 21stcentury bible reader, is that pharisees didn’t have New Testament scripture. They were living it in real time. Today, we have it all. We have both the Old and New Testaments. We have examples where people got it wrong and yet we still often default to law over grace. I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me, and yet there have been times where I forgot that it’s a relationship that I’m in, not just a religion I’m practicing. Why have I ever felt guilt about not reading my bible enough without feeling genuine sadness about not sitting and being with my savior, Jesus.
I am currently in a season of “being” rather than doing, and it feels really good. I’m not hyper focused on striving and putting my faith to work. Instead, I’m intentionally pursuing more and more time with Jesus, quiet in his presence, basking in his glory, marveling at his goodness. Are reading the holy scriptures, serving, praying, and giving all important? Of course, and my life is more joy-filled when these are biproducts of getting the most important thing right—sitting in adoration of a personal Jesus whom I love and who loves me in return.
Prayer of Response:
God, forgive me when my detective nature and hyper critical reading of scripture distracts me from you. Forgive me for the times when reading my bible, serving or giving with the wrong attitude created distance between you and me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for making your presence known. Thank you for being the best friend I will ever know. YOU are so worth pursuing and knowing. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- With good intention, are you looking for purpose, fulfillment and eternal life in the words of scripture instead of the person of Jesus, our living Word?
- In this season, how can you prioritize “being” over “doing”?
—Submitted by Erinne Baker
Erinne and her husband Travis live in Klamath Falls, Oregon where they are raising their four kids: Charlotte(11), Benjamin(8), William(6) and Wyatt (3). She is a pursuer of truth and learner of what it means to trust God and live a life fueled by love and grace. She is an ordained pastor and has a blog called: http//:truthseekeraskingquestions.com.