MEETING WITH JESUS THROUGH THE BIBLE von Heino A. Blaauw

Jesus chastised the Scripture readers (religious leaders) in his day because they misread the Bible. "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 do we come to and meet with Jesus through our Bible reading? After his resurrection, Jesus met with his followers to open their minds to understand the Scriptures. He made clear that, "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled" (Luke 24:44-45; emphasis mine). Understanding the plotline of Jesus' life gives us the instrument whereby we can meet with Jesus through our Bible reading. It unifies and illuminates the beautiful diversity of Scripture writings. But not only will this book lead you to meet with Jesus through your Bible reading. More importantly, it will lead you to life in Christ. For the plotline of Jesus' life is also the story of a Christian's life from divine birth to new creation in this age and into the next!