“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
I mentioned yesterday how important it is, when we study and read God’s word, to look for Christ Jesus as we read.
The verse above, while read in the context, we will find the constant error the Pharisees had concerning Christ. Due to their fatal error of not seeing themselves as sinners but only as those who were righteous in their own eyes. Which is no more than self righteousness. To them, thinking they understood the law of Moses, and thinking they were keeping it. The law became a snare unto them.
Sad thing today is many Gentiles, who unto them were not committed, the oracles of God, “the law,” fall into the same trap. One sure sign of this, is that any person or persons who continually find fault with everyone but themselves, this really stands out. It’s one thing to preach “the whole counsel of God,” and to “cry aloud and spare not,” while at the same time, crying out against everyone’s sins but their own. The Pharisees were grand examples of this and so it continues to this day.
In John chapter 5 verse 39, we see them commanded by our Lord to search the scriptures. They saw the law but omitted the prophets. Therefore they were trusting only in the law.
“Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.” verse 45
If you remember Luke chapter 16, which is the answer to what happened back in Luke chapter 15.
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:1-2
This of course reflects back also to what happened in chapter 14 and the healing of the man with the “dropsy.”
The pharisees had a continual problem with Jesus associating Himself with sinners.
This continues on into chapter 15 of Luke with the parable of the two sons. The elder son who represents, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11. The Nation of Israel who let their “tables become a snare unto them,”
And the younger son who represents, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12
The “two sons,” the Elder who was “lost” in his religion, who would not rejoice when his younger brother, who was “lost” in the world, realized his lost condition and came to the Father.
The Elder son continued on in his sin of self righteousness and is found represented in Luke 16.
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, “Son”, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Luke 16:23-30
Remember, in Luke 15, we have parables but in Luke 16, Jesus moves from parables to reality.
The Elder in Luke 16:25 is referred to as “Son,” even though he is now in hell.
Then also notice as he cries out to Abraham as he speaks,
“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Verse 27-28
“my father’s house,” is the house of Israel, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11.
Then notice the reply of Abraham:
“Abraham saith unto him, They have “Moses” and the “prophets;” let them hear them.” verse 29, The house of Israel.
Remember, unto them, the Jew were committed the oracles of God.
They were somewhat familiar with “Moses,” but rejecting the “prophets.”
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born,”
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Jesus, of course was this “Child,”
The pharisee knew the Old Testament scriptures but allowed their pride to blind their eyes and saw not their sins as everyone else and in the end rejected the very Messiah they should have recognized when He came.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” II Corinthians 4:3-4
There is absolutely no reason for a Gentile to try and live up to the “law” of Moses when the very people, the Jewish Nation who could not keep the law. When we consider this “law’ was never given to the Gentile in the first place. Why try to live up to a law we Gentiles know very little about. Someone will say, well we have the Ten Commandments to keep.
Well dear child. What about the other four hundred plus laws included and given to Moses? How many of those have you kept and lived by? And how many do you have to break in order to become guilty before God?
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Deut 27:26 Gal 3:10 James 2:10
How about just one law if broken, then guilty of all.
There is real good chance you are already behind in the game of “law” keeping.
This is the whole reason Christ came. He knew His own people, the Jewish nation were already guilty of breaking His Holy law.
And we Gentiles somehow think we can do a better job!
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” Romans 3:28-30
Let us as we read the scriptures look for Christ Jesus. He is there.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Deut 30:14
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Isa 28:16
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Joel 2:32 Romans 10:8-13
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
Anyone reading this page. If you have any desire whatsoever to be saved, it is because God is speaking to you. Simply in child like faith, call on His Name and confess to Him you are a sinner and ask Him to save you. On the authority of His word, He promised He will save you. It’s not that complicated.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:9-10
When you come to this point and have asked. Believe that He did save you because if you were sincere, rest assured He kept His promise and saved you. If you do not already have one, find you a KJV Bible and begin reading it. While you read. Look for Christ Jesus. He is there and will feed your heart and soul from His word and you will grow in grace and be strengthened. Tell someone, Jesus saved you because He loves you. Tell them Jesus loves them also.