READING: 1 Chronicles 1-3, John 5:25-47
“. . . yet they testify about Me.”
John 5:39
Every day, I write these devotions because (1) I want to think more deeply about what the Word of God says, and (2) I want my readers to know God personally. My prayer is that every reader of these devotions has an intimate relationship with Jesus that cannot be questioned or denied. I recognize, though, that some readers may read these words every day but still miss Jesus in the process. Some will assume that God will save them just because they’re going through the motions of religion by reading the Bible (or at least my words about the Bible) every day.
This problem is the same kind that Jesus faced with His own opponents. In fact, He said about them, “You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:39). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day rigorously studied the Word, dissecting every portion of the Law to determine the interpretation and application of the texts. Some apparently assumed that kind of consistent, robust study would grant them eternal life. “Not so,” Jesus told them.
Indeed, He warned them that in all their studies, they missed Jesus in God’s Word. They failed to see that the Old Testament is about the Son of God who would suffer for our sin and die in our place. Somehow, they overlooked the picture of the gospel in the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament. Consequently, all their study did not result in their turning to Him in faith and repentance. They did not come to Him, so they would not have life.
I don’t know your spiritual condition as you read this devotional today. If you know Jesus personally, I pray you will know Him better and love Him more as a result of your reading these daily devotions. If, on the other hand, you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, I pray that you will see Him throughout the Bible. I pray that you have come to these devotions truly seeking God, and you will find Him through reading His Word. Read it, watch for Jesus throughout it, turn from your sin and trust Him, and find eternal life in Him (and, if you want to learn more about how to become a believer, take time to watch this short video).
ACTION STEPS:
- If you are not a believer, watch the video included in this devotional. Turn to Jesus.
- Pray for someone you know who is not a believer. Pray that he or she will hear the Word and find Jesus in the process.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for granting Your followers eternal life. I come to you by turning from my sin and trusting You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Chronicles 4-6, John 6:1-21
