Search the Scriptures

What does Jesus mean by searching the “Scriptures”?
When we use the term “Scriptures,” we are referring to the entire Bible. When Jesus 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,” Jesus is referring to is just the Old Testament.

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 God 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, God, 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 Jesus, to whom they “do not want to come” (John 5:40).

Do they believe even the Old Testament?
The 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 God 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 Bible by itself will not save us. There are many “scholars” who know the Bible better than most Christians, yet do not believe in Jesus and instead make a living trying to attack Him, not unlike the Jews above.

How about believing that Jesus is God whose sacrificial death on the cross paid for sins?
The Bible declares with biting sarcasm, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe, and they tremble!” (James 2:19). Demons believe with 100% certainty that Jesus is God whose sacrificial death on the cross 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 Jesus. 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 Jesus. We need to submit to and obey Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. We need to believe that Jesus loves US so much that He sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the death penalty due for OUR sins, and for that, be in love with Jesus.

Are you?