Central Truth

The benefit of reading must come to the soul by the way of the understanding… We must try to make out, as far as our finite mind can grasp it, what God means by this and what he means by that in the Bible.

Reflections

The Scribes and Pharisees were great readers of the law. They studied the sacred books continually, poring over each word and letter. They made notes of very little importance, but still very curious notes -- as to which was the middle verse of the entire old Testament, which verse was halfway to the middle.... They have left us a mass of wonderful notes upon the mere words of Holy Scripture….

They were, however, intense readers of the law. They picked a quarrel with the Saviour upon a matter touching this law, for they carried it at their fingers' ends, and were ready to use it as a bird of prey does its talons to tear and rend….

The Savior generally carried the war into the enemy's camp, and He did so on this occasion. He met them on their own ground, and He said to them, "Have you not read?" -- a cutting question to the scribes and Pharisees… "Have you not read?" "Read!" they could have said, "Why, we have read the book through very many times. We are always reading it. No passage escapes our critical eyes."

He says, "If you had known what this means," as much as to say, "You have not read, because you have not understood." Your eyes have gone over the words, and you have counted the letters, and you have marked the position of each verse and word, and you have said learned things about all the books, and yet you are not even readers of the sacred volume, for you have not acquired the true art of reading; you do not understand, and therefore you do not truly read it…

You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace. Drink of the unadulterated milk of the Word of God, and not of the skim milk, or the milk and water of man's word.

I encourage you to read more of Spurgeon's sermon at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1503.htm (Accessed 05 Jan. 12)

Discussion Questions

1. How will you read the Bible with understanding today?

2. Will you seek help from the Holy Spirit to reveal God's word to you?

3. Will you pray to God for help and insight?