The Pharisees really studied the Bible. The most dedicated of them would spend hours and hours every day pouring over the words of the Law of Moses and the writings of the Prophets. They thought they could please God by perfectly obeying every commandment or hint of a commandment. They thought they could receive eternal life by studying a book.

They missed the point. The writings they studied talked about the Messiah, the Chosen One that was coming. Yet the Pharisees didn't get it. Jesus told them:

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:39-40).

When Jesus came, he wasn't the type of person they expected him to be. He wasn't a powerful warrior nor an impressive king. He wasn't a mysterious holy man nor a political organizer. And he didn't spend all day reading Scripture.

When the promised Messiah arrived, the Pharisees rejected him and plotted to have him killed, despite having spent their entire lives reading about his coming. Why? He wasn't what they expected him to be.

What are your expectations about Jesus? What will you do when he fails to meet those expectations? What will you do when he doesn't believe things exactly the way you do? What will you do if his politics don't line up with your politics? Or his theology with your theology?

What will do when you don't get the good things you expected to get? What will you do if you aren't protected from bad things like you thought you would be?

What if he wants you to live differently than you are now?

Are you ready to let Jesus show you who he is and what he expects? Or will you try to force him into the mold of your preconceived notions?

Will you let him change your thinking? Or will you refuse to come and receive life?

Are you ready to let Jesus show you who he is and what he expects?
Centuries ago, many highly religious people missed out on God's blessings because they weren't ready to receive his Son. Let's not make the same mistake.

Let me invite you to study the course Discovering Jesus. Discover who he is and what he expects of you. You can find the first lesson on our website: http://hopeforlife.org/bible-study/discovering-jesus/discovering-jesus-lesson-1/

As always, write to me at tarcher@heraldoftruth.org if you want to know more about Jesus and the life he offers.

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