Scripture to Read: John 5:39–40
We must never forget that every person on the face of the earth living without Christ is void of His Word and their spirit is absent of life. That was the problem with the Jews that Jesus was addressing in John 5. Jesus told them in John 5:39–40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” These Jews had the “head knowledge” of God’s Word, but their hearts were so far from Him that they did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Imagine having God in the flesh standing right in front of us, and we miss Him because we are so caught up in our belief system, our religious rules, and our regulations that we are blinded to the Truth right in front of us—that is precisely what happened to the Jews in Jesus’ day. It is also what happens to too many people today who are church attendees. People dress up on Sunday and attend a worship service but miss the point of why they went to this building which they call a church. People will listen to the sermon and never understand what is being said. They will also listen to the music and maybe even sing the words, never comprehending that they are supposed to be worshipping their Creator. The sad news is that these people, just like the Jews Jesus talked with, do not believe God’s testimony in His Word about Jesus.
Challenge & Application
• Why do so many people, even church attendees, miss Jesus completely?
• As Christians, what must we do to help those who are blind to God and His Truth?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!