When the Bible sits unopened on a shelf, it is just another book. However, throughout history, countless people with no knowledge of God whatsoever have read it, and through it come to know Him. Their personal testimonies teach us that this is more than just a book.

When we look at the Old Testament, we see the many mighty acts that God performed as He chose the Israelites to be His people, raised them up, guided them, and prepared them to be the line through which He would introduce salvation to the world in the person of the Messiah, His son Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, God’s nature and His desires for humanity are revealed.

Men and women reading for the first time have seen clearly that it is Jesus to whom the Scriptures point. In encountering Christ, through the Spirit moving in the word, they encountered God and were forever changed. They became reconciled to God the Father through faith in Christ. Their entire lives were made new.

By contrast, we see here the foolish, wicked leaders who accused Jesus of blaspheming and threatened to kill Him. We know that these men believed the Scriptures were holy. They studied that which they wholeheartedly believed to be the word of God. How is it then that they did not recognize Christ right in front of them? How is it that they did not see this fulfillment of prophecy, this fulfilled promise in Jesus, that is so clear even to people who have never before encountered the word of God? Had the Scriptures somehow failed in its purpose?

No, the Scriptures did not, and do not fail. Rather, these men did not find truth because they were not looking for truth. They were searching scriptures to justify themselves and their unrighteous choices, even as they knew in their hearts that they loved the world more than God. The Scriptures are always true, but they only lead us to the truth of Christ when Truth is what we seek.