Okay, my plan is to have a Puritan quote every week. So this
is two weeks in a row. John Owen again. And remember my tip about reading Owen
out loud.
So,
in reading and studying the Bible, we ought to make every effort to search for
the revelations of the glory of Christ in it as did the prophets of old. The
glory of Christ is the ‘pearl of great price’ which we should make every effort
to find (Matt. 13:45-46). And the Scripture is the ocean into which we dive to
discover this pearl, or the mine in which we dig for its precious treasures
(Prov. 2:1-5). Every sacred truth that reveals something of the glory of Christ
to our souls, is a pearl or precious stone which enriches us. But when the
believer discovers this pearl of great price itself, then his soul cleaves to
it with joy. The Glory of Christ, p. 33.
Why do you read the Bible? Inspiration? Help to make it
through the day? Principles for success? The Bible helps us with many things,
but it is not primarily a book of inspirational quotes, a counseling text, or a
self-help manual.
Jesus said “You search the Scriptures because you think that
in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” (John 5:39, ESV). Not just the New
Testament, but all the Old Testament, too. “And beginning with Moses and all
the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all
the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27, ESV).
Let’s read the Bible, looking for Jesus. He’s all over the
place, and always worthy of our admiration, praise, and worship.
