To receive truth requires honesty – real honesty with oneself and with Scripture. Jesus brought this fact to light in His dealings with the Jews. They were experts in Scripture, yet they failed to recognize its promised Savior.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:39-40).
How could they miss Scripture’s main message? Their problem, explained Jesus, rested not with the Scriptures (which do testify to Him), but with dishonest hearts.
I know that you do not have the love of God within you.… How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:42,44)
These Jews were deeply religious.6 They worshiped, prayed, and fasted.7 They tithed and gave to the poor.8 They studied, taught, and made converts.9 Yet Jesus looked deeper, and charged, “You do not have the love of God in your hearts.” Then what did they love? “Praise from one another!” They loved approval from their friends, praise from the masses, and positions of honor and power.10 So they read Scripture in ways they found pleasing. They missed what pleased God, the message God intended for people to understand. So Jesus concluded that they disbelieved the Scriptures they knew so well.
For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? (John 5:46-47)
8. Matthew 6:2; 23:23; Luke 18:12; 21:1
9. Matthew 23:2,15; John 5:39,45; 9:28
10. Matthew 6:1-5; 23:1-7,14,27-28; Luke 11:43
Picture: “The Scriptures testify about Me.” The Dead Sea Scrolls predate the time of Christ. Their copies of the Scriptures contain all the promises of Christ that you find in the same passages in your Bible today.