Verse for the week of October 30th:
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him,
‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;’
(John 8:31)
Jesus’ word to the Jews who had believed in him is applicable for people of this age. Jesus is announcing that those who continue in his word are truly his disciples. I think that this saying transcends the context from which it is written and speaks to us this day.
It calls us to be attentive to Jesus’ word. And in reality not just to be attentive but continue in his word. How many of us would say that we continue in Jesus’ word? We may hear scripture read on Sunday morning and may even read a little bit on most days, but is this the same as continuing in his word?
What does it mean to continue in his word? I think that the notion of continuing in his word refers to a deepening of understanding and being grounded in the word. Continuing is more than just reading. Continuing is more than just hearing. Rather continuing is being engaged with the word so that it transforms us and renews us.
How often have you read something and then 5 minutes later do not remember what it is that you read? Does this also happen when you read the Bible? Sometimes we can be very goal oriented—we want to read the Bible in a year or read 15 minutes a day or some other goal of reading every day. These are not bad things—and in fact I would encourage anyone and everyone to do these endeavors. They are good things to be participating in. However, sometimes we may simply just go through the motions and we may read, but are we really continuing in his word?
I wonder sometimes if this is a time when quality is far better than quantity. That it is better to take a text or a verse and allow it to dwell within us and speak to us over a longer period of time so that it remains with us and speaks to us in many and various ways—so that we do continue in Jesus’ word.
How do you continue in Jesus’ word?