John 5: 39-40
” 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.“
In this passage, Jesus commends the Jewish leaders for studying the Scriptures diligently. In the same breath, Jesus reveals their underlying motive for studying the Scriptures. Somehow the leaders of the Jews had come to rely on the written record of God’s word, rather than God himself. More than that, however, Jesus points out that the very Scriptures that the leaders of the Jews have been studying teach about the coming Son of Man.
To review, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and the man goes and tells the Jewish leaders what Jesus did. In response, the Jewish leaders lash out at Jesus and persecute him. Jesus reacts to their accusations with a proper legal response. In effect, he is saying, ‘Don’t take my word for who I am, listen to John the Baptist. If you don’t want to listen to him, then believe the testimony of God’s power which is being manifested through me. If that isn’t enough, believe the testimony of God himself!”
Now he points again to the testimony of God throughout the scriptures and he further points out the irony of the Jewish leaders spending so much time studying the scriptures and still not hearing what they say about Jesus.
Q: Having a blind spot is not unique to the Jewish leaders. Unfortunately, the definition of a ‘blind spot’ is that people are blind to what is in that spot. They literally cannot see what is there. What do you think is the cure for a person’s blind spot? What would allow them to “see” what is there?
Ask the Lord to give us sight, to open our hearts to His truths.
Humility, a receptive heart, and others who can help.
Ron & Nathan,
Thank you for your thoughts! Asking for help, humility, and a receptive heart all are necessary. Pity the poor soul who refuses to ask for help, has no humility, and has closed the doors of his heart!
What about a spiritual mirror? A mirror that allows them to see what’s there,..it could have a warning signal wired into it so when something bad gets in that spot a light goes off and they get slapped up backside their head,..that would get their attention to what is there,..
John
I think you may be on to something… 🙂
I would be getting slapped silly John . Thanks Brother!