Lenten Readings: John 5

Lenten Readings: The two-year Bible reading plan puts the Gospel accounts of Luke and John right between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Whether you're doing the reading plan or not, you can follow along on the blog and read daily meditations based on the accounts of Jesus, whose life and death we remember and cherish during this season of Lent. Check back every day starting on February 14 and until Easter Saturday.

Thursday, March 15, 2018
READ John 5
MEDITATE on John 5:39, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” Have you ever read the Bible but missed Jesus?

REFLECT
John's Gospel was written very differently from the three synoptic Gospels. John highlighted much more of Jesus' identity and John 5 is an example of how Jesus revealed his identity as God to all who heard. But he also explained to the Jews in his audience that their reliance on Moses caused them to miss Jesus in their reading and study. They were looking at the Law to try to save themselves through it, but the point of the Law was to show God's holiness and demonstrate our inability to save ourselves and need to rely upon God's provision of a Savior, a perfect man who would fulfill the Law.

Many today read the Bible hoping to figure out life, but the Bible is actually a biography that shows us Jesus Christ and God's identity. When we read to see how God loves us through sending Jesus, we see how the Law is not supposed to be our focus, unlike the Pharisees who were aghast that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. When we see how Christ embodies God's holiness and love, we are humble by the grace and the Law and find and embrace Jesus.

Do not read the Bible and miss Jesus!

PRAY

Pray for a clear goal in your spiritual life - to meet and give glory to God! He is the One who saves us and loves us. Pray for a spirit of celebration in knowing Jesus through the Gospel of John.