Missing the Christ
John 5:31–47
Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:40
The Bible was given by God to point a person to the Savior, and he must come to the Savior if he is to find life. This is necessary, for unless the life of God takes possession of our hearts, even the Word of God will be incomprehensible.
Has the Word of God done that for you? Has it pointed you to the Savior? One time in preparing a Christmas message, I became impressed with the large number of men who missed Christmas even though there was no real need for them to have missed it. The innkeeper was one. He was too busy. Herod was another. But by far the most interesting of all those who missed the birth of Jesus were the religious leaders, the chief priests and the scribes, who missed it even though they had the Old Testament and knew where Christ should be born. You remember the story. The wise men had come to Jerusalem. Herod inquired of the scribes. The scribes said that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. It was on their word that the wise men started out to Bethlehem where they found him. These men had the Scriptures. They knew them well enough to have the right answers. But they did not leave their own homes or the palace to investigate the Savior’s arrival.
On the other hand, the Christmas story also tells of some who did find Christmas. They were not the kings of this world. They were not the religious leaders. They were not the thousands who were entirely engrossed in the countless minutia of materialistic lives. They were just poor folk who were looking to God and to whom God came.
Who were they? Some were shepherds. They were not important in the social structure of the ancient east. Yet they saw the angels. The wise men also found Christmas. They were not even Jews. Yet they saw the star. Finally, there were the poor but saintly folk like Simeon and Anna. These could well have been discounted either because of their means or social position or age. Some would dismiss them. Yet they saw and even held God’s treasure. Why did these people find Jesus when the important of the world, as the world judges importance, so clearly missed him? There are two answers. First, they were honest enough to admit their need of a Savior. Second, they were humble enough to receive him personally when he came.
The Bible calls for this honest confession of sin and this humble commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can read the Bible as the leaders of Israel did. You can misuse it out of pride. Or you can use it properly and come yourself to the Savior. Will you come in a spirit of humility?
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.