Greater Than the Bible

"You diligently study the Scriptures. ... These are the Scriptures that testify about me ..." (v. 39)

For reading & meditation:

John 5:31-47

Jesus claimed to be greater than the Scriptures. Everyone else has to put themselves under the authority of the Scriptures. In one sense, of course, Christ subjected Himself to the Scriptures, but in another sense He was superior to them. He did not emerge from the Bible; the Bible emerged from Him. The Amplified Bible puts our text for today: "You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them ... And still you are not willing ... to come to Me, so that you might have life." We saw the other day how Christ declared: "One greater than the temple is here." He could also have said: "One greater than the Scriptures is here." A prominent theologian stated: "The Bible is the supreme method of communication between God and man." Is it? I thought Christ is the supreme method of communication between God and man. "There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus ..." (1 Tim. 2:5). It is true that we would know little of Christ were it not for the New Testament. But Christ existed before the New Testament. I do not say this to denigrate the Scriptures in any way. They are divinely inspired and thus they inspire me. But the Person is greater than the product. We honor the product but only as it leads us to Christ's feet and to an allegiance to Him. Indeed, one greater than the Bible is here.

Lord Jesus, I am thankful for the Scriptures for many reasons, but most of all because they lead me to You. You are the Word that is bigger than men's words. Not a page but a Person. All honor and glory be to Your Name. Amen.