Search the Scriptures – Search The Old Testament Scriptures
YOCHANON (JOHN) 5:39
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
What does Yahusha mean by searching the “Scriptures”?
When we use the term “Scriptures,” we are referring to the entire Book of Scripture. When Yahusha said, “You search the Scriptures” (John 5:39), the New Testament had not yet been written; the “Scriptures,” which in the original language is γραφας (graphas) and literally means “writings,” Yahusha is referring to is just the Old Testament.
YOCHANON (JOHN) 5:40-47
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of Elohiym in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from Elohiym only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Mosheh, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Mosheh, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Isn’t the Old Testament sufficient for leading to “everlasting life” (John 5:39)?
It isn’t. In brief, the Old Testament is an account of how Yahuah Elohim created out of love and for love, but was betrayed by, mankind. He then chose, led and immensely blessed a people to demonstrate His continuing love for mankind, yet they betrayed Him over and over again. Instead of wiping us out as we deserve, Yahuah Elohim, who knew of the betrayals before He created mankind, foretold throughout the Old Testament that eventually, He will prove His unfailing love for us by personally paying the death penalty due for our betrayal, and reconcile us to Himself. The Old Testament was like a map to a priceless treasure. Just as the value of the map is not in itself but what it points to, the value of the Old Testament was not in itself but what it pointed to: salvation in Yahusha, to whom they “do not want to come” (John 5:40).
Do they believe even the Old Testament?
The Yahudim (Jews) were so wrapped up in their man-made laws and with each other that they had even lost sight of the real laws of Yahuah Elohim that were given through Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament: “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47)
Will knowledge of the New Testament save us?
Even though it is important to know exactly what and whom to believe in, knowledge of the Scripture by itself will not save us. There are many “scholars” who know the Scripture better than most Christians, yet do not believe in Yahusha and instead make a living trying to attack Him, not unlike the Yahudim (Jews) above.
How about believing that Yahusha is Elohim whose sacrificial death on the Execution Stake paid for sins?
The Scriptures declares with biting sarcasm, “You believe that there is one Elohim. You do well. Even the demons believe, and they tremble!” (James 2:19). Demons believe with 100% certainty that Yahusha is Elohim whose sacrificial death on the execution stake paid for sins, and even tremble – react strongly and emotionally – to that truth, which is more than what most “Christians” today believe and feel about Yahusha. But we know that demons are not saved.
Then what do we need to do that goes beyond what the demons do?
Be in an intimate, personal relationship with Yahusha. We need to submit to and obey Yahusha as our personal Savior and Master. We need to believe that Yahusha loves US so much that He sacrificed Himself on the execution stake to pay the death penalty due for OUR sins, and for that, be in love with Yahusha.
Are you?
