While reading the scriptures today, in John chapter 7, I was drawn to verse 27 which says this:

Howbeit we know this man whence he is : but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

The backstory of this verse is that Jesus was speaking in the temple at Galilee during the feast of tabernacles, and while he was preaching some of the Jews who had come from Jerusalem were wondering among themselves about Jesus, and who He was.

The people, particularly those who served as the priests, were so wrapped up in the words of prophecy and of the law, that they often missed the meaning, the same sometimes happens today.

We can become so engaged in the scriptures, as we should for the scriptures are given to us to guide and to encourage and to teach us, but we can become engrossed in the words, and trying to stick to them that we sometimes miss the Spirit.

Jesus said in John 5:39 to the Jews to search the scriptures, because in them they think they have eternal life, now there is a lot to unpack about this chapter, but I want to focus on this one point.

Jesus tells them that they will not come to him and have life, they can search and search the scriptures all they want, but they are missing the very one who the scriptures are pointing them towards.

How often do we study our bibles (which again is a very good thing) but we become so caught up in trying to understand hidden mysteries, that we miss the important thing right in front of us?

There are two commandments that stand above the rest, to love God and to love each other, these are the things we should focus on first and foremost, because when our eyes and our heart are on God, and we are truly seeking Him, and His will, and we are listening to His voice, He will guide us faithfully and truthfully.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee at that time, but he came to speak to Jesus in secret, because he knew something was different about Jesus, he knew that there was more than what those around him were seeing and experiencing, and he was willing to go and ask and learn.

The scriptures, like the sabbath, are there to help us, not to rule over us. Without the Spirit giving life to the scriptures, and the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit directing us, we can get ourselves tied up on the wrong thing in the scriptures, and miss the whole point of what God really wanted to show us.

There is so much written within the scriptures, they are the most complete single all encompassing text, but when we don’t rely on the spirit to show us truth, we can miss Jesus right in front of us, because we are wanting or expecting one thing and are unable or unwilling to accept that it might be something different.

Prayerful reading of the scriptures is one of the greatest ways to open yourself to God’s word, because when we are praying, we are connecting and communing with the one true God, and the one who wrote those scriptures.

Be blessed, and may you ever keep seeking a deeper love and connection with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit.