Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27, CSB)
The Holy Bible reigns as the most-read book in the world. From leather-bound to hardcover to digital, the Bible is presented to us in many forms in various translations and languages. Surprisingly, the most-read book in the world was the book I once avoided. My first ever Bible was gifted to me as an early teen. It was dark blue with gold lettering on the front. It was the King James Version, which looked intimidating and almost too holy to touch. The cover of the Bible had a sophistication to it I could not quite connect with. Nevertheless, occasionally, I opened it, reading a few scriptures sporadically each week.
Deep down, I was afraid to dive in and truly read God's word.
I had an intense fear I would stumble across a scripture that would make me doubt and question God more than I already did. Unbeknownst to me, the book I tried to avoid was the very book I needed. The Bible is undoubtedly powerful and points directly to our creator. It is not designed to make you doubt God. It is designed to make you know him.
The Bible consists of 66 distinguished books that detail God’s creation, the fall of man, redemption through Jesus’ death on the cross, and his new creation.
These books are not just composed of words but are filled with scripture that all point directly to Jesus and our need for him. We are reminded of this in Luke 24. In this chapter, we read about the morning of Jesus’ resurrection. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and other women reported to the eleven apostles regarding the empty tomb they saw.
None of the apostles believed the women except Peter, who ran to the tomb.
On the same day as Jesus’ resurrection, two men were walking to a village called Emmaus. They spoke with each other about what had taken place. As they were talking, Jesus walked alongside them and inquired about their discussion, but they did not recognize him.
The two men began to explain to Jesus what they heard from the women, but it was evident they did not believe them.
Jesus responded, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26, CSB) Verse 27 says, “Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27, CSB). The scriptures we read about concern Jesus.
The more we read the Bible, the more we know God. Without the Bible, we miss out on the vastness of who God is. Without it, we miss out on his voice.
We will forever need his word. It informs us of who God is, and it guides our faith.
Prayer: Thank you for your word, God. You are revealed through the scriptures, and they never fail to tell me who you are. May I never forget the power of the Bible and how it all points back to you. Amen.
Your Turn: What has God revealed to you recently that you learned through reading his word?