Now that we have God's word what do we do with it? Is there really value in the Bible? How can a book of words written thousands of years ago be relevant today? Why is it that people around the world are willing to die for pieces of the scripture and yet there are copies of the Bible left at church and never retrieved? What good is God's word to you personally? Does it make a difference in your life? Should it make a difference? How does it make a difference?
Consider the act of reading the Bible. One might take a history course and part of the requirements is to read some part of the Bible and report on the historical evidence of Jesus as a real person. The Bible would serve as a great history book. One might even get an 'A' grade for an excellent report. Knowledge would have be gained. Was this God's intent for your relationship with His word? Does He just want you to gain historical evidence?
Consider the following passage. What value might there be in reading this passage and will it make any difference in your life? What happens when you read God's word.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
We know that Christ is talking about his upcoming death, burial and resurrection. You might immediately think that there is no relevancy for me. If so, you'd be wrong. When you read the scripture and if you are a believer, you might be humbled and say, 'Thank you, Jesus for what you did for me on the cross." Knowing that Jesus spoke with many levels of depth to His words, you might consider what impact it might have on you to place yourself in Christ's role of dieing to self and living for Him.
27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!"
We know because we have read the book, that Christ refers to his upcoming excruciating death. What significance might this passage have to you in modern day history? We might recognize that Christ has the option to either accept or reject the plan God had presented to Him. He could have chose to save Himself. Place yourself in Christ's role. How might have you responded? Consider a problem you are experiencing. How are you responding?
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Wow! A voice came from heaven that sounded like thunder. That puts a different vantage point to how I look at thunder when I hear it. Maybe it is the voice of God?
30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Be in awe....
35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
