“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me … 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 Me words?” (John 5:39, 45-47)
Concerning the Lord, John records, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Such unbelief gives occasion to the Lord’s words above. The Lord spoke to people who considered themselves scholarly concerning Moses’ law, however they refused to believe Jesus. Indeed, Jesus pointedly states “…if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.”
In today’s religious world, very few will reject the thought that Jesus is the Saviour, sent by the Father. Multitudes will profess to believe in Him, and confess to be His followers. However, in many is present the same lack of respect and mere surface interest in the Scriptures. Accordingly, they do not serve the Lord spoken of in the Scriptures, but an illusion created in their own mind.
Likewise, they have substituted the doctrine of God for the commandments of men. Well did Paul speak, “…the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
It is impossible to worship and serve the Lord, except it be in compliance with what the Scriptures teach about Him and His ways. We cannot serve the Word (John 1:1) unless we do so by the Word revealed (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Some will proclaim to know the Lord, and yet have no idea what the Bible says about Him. “The Spirit,” they say, “has revealed the glory and salvation of the Lord to me.” It is impossible to know the Lord, except it be by the knowledge of Scripture.
The Ethiopian eunuch learned who Jesus was because “…Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture (Isaiah 53), preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35). So that the two men walking on the road to Emmaus might know Him, “…beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)
Let us read, believe and obey. May we not conduct ourselves in the manner of the people in Jesus’ generation. Let us acknowledge and emphasize the importance of the word of God. Indeed, “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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
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