Get More Out of Your Bible Reading

 "How do you read?" - LUKE 10:26. 

IMAGINE what it was like to listen to Jesus teach.  How often he referred to the Holy Scriptures from memory! In fact, in  his first recorded words after his baptism and in some of his last words before his death, Jesus  quoted from the Scriptures.  (Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 31:5; Luke 4:4; 23:46) And during the three and a half years between those two events, Jesus often publicly read and quoted from the Scriptures and explained them. - MATTHEW 5:17, 18, 21, 22 27, 28; Luke 4:16-20.

Years before his ministry, Jesus read and heard God's Word repeatedly. At home, he not doubt heard Mary and Joseph quote from the Scriptures during daily family conversations. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) We can be sure that Jesus attended the synagogue every Sabbath with his family.  (Luke 4:16) While there, he must have listened carefully as the Scriptures were read. In time, Jesus learned to read those Sacred Writings on his own.  As a result, Jesus not only came to know the Scriptures well but also loved them and allowed then to influence his actions. For example, recall the incident in the temple when Jesus was just 12 years old.  The teachers who were well-versed in the Mosaic Law were in "amazement at [Jesus'] understanding and his answers." - LUKE 2:46.

We too can come ti know and love God's Word as we regularly read the Scriptures. How, though, can we get the most out of what we read? We can from what Jesus said to those familiar with the Law, including the scribes, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. Those religious leaders read the Scriptures often, but they failed to benefit from what they read. Jesus highlighted three ways  in which these men were not getting the most out of the Scriptures.  His words to them will help us improve in our ability (1) to understand what we read, (2) to find spiritual treasures, and (3) to allow God's Word to mold  us.

Next time: Get More Out of Your Bible Reading - READ TO UNDERSTAND

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