Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 227

August 15;       John 5:39:       72/260(III);       ‘Search the Scriptures’

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

The Bible, revealing the will and genius of God, was written for one reason, to introduce us to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The religious leaders were hypocrites.  They took pride in thinking that they obeyed the Law.  Outward show did not reveal their heart of pride, greed and jealousy.  As you study God’s Word, and do a little extra studying, it soon becomes clear that the Jewish feasts, the tabernacle in the wilderness, the attire of the High Priest and many other topics point directly to Jesus.  Learning all of the types and shadows is so fascinating.  Religion is the exact opposite of Christianity.  Religion is what you do for God so that you have eternal life.  That was the huge error of the religious leaders.  Christianity is what God the Father has done for you through Jesus Christ so that you can have eternal life.  Religion causes false pride, Christianity causes true humility and gratitude.  The Law was given, to reveal to us that we are sinners.  The Lord does not do this to condemn us, but to show us that we are in desperate need of help.  That help of course is Jesus Christ.  The sins that we commit were laid on Jesus.  We were forgiven on the cross.  The reality of this truth is ours when we become born again.  God’s love for us and provision is revealed in the Old Testament by types and shadows of Jesus, prophecies about Jesus and Psalms telling us about the Messiah to come.  The New Testament tells us about Jesus’ ministry and what we have as a result of His sacrifice for us.  The Bible Jesus front to back.