Articles
How Do You Read the Scriptures?
“Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.'" (John 9:41)
The Pharisees considered themselves experts and did not seek further instruction. They taught the law and enforced it upon others. This is evidenced by their response to the man born blind: “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.” (John 9:34) The Pharisees’ response reveals a danger for all who teach. Do I "see" Jesus' teaching as something for others or for me? How do I read Jesus' teaching? Do I read it from Jesus' perspective or as a disciple? My perspective determines whether I am blind or see.
When I read the New Testament letters, do I read them as a recipient or the author? Jesus told the apostles that God would send the Holy Spirit and reveal his teaching to them. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:13-14) Paul, encouraging the Ephesians to stop behaving and thinking like pagans, said they had "learned Christ" through his teaching (Eph. 4:20-21). They were to receive his teaching to transform their thinking to conform with the image of Jesus; "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24) Paul wants his readers to listen to Jesus' teaching. Paul clearly expects them to view his teaching and preaching from the point of view of a disciple, not his. Their discipleship is manifested by how much they are the "likeness of God."
Why should I read Jesus as though he were teaching me? I must let Jesus teach me because he said, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24). I should read Jesus as a disciple because hearing his words builds my faith and will help me transform to his image. If I do not change, I will die in my sins. I am in the process of growing up into Christ, that is why Paul taught, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2). If I read Scripture from the wrong perspective, I will not be transformed to conform to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Lord, help me to read as a disciple!
