Have you ever heard someone say, “I only read the Word for my spiritual understanding!” But what exactly does this mean? As sinful humans – do we have the capacity to fully understand the Word? Do we need any help?
The Apostle John wrote these words:
“In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
Naturally, we must ask, “Who or what is the Word and how does the Word speak?” Most people agree Yeshua Messiah is The Word. So, if this is true, how can we read Yeshua and how does this relate to understanding the written Word?
Have you ever met a dogmatic person? You know the type—the person who claims that they alone know what is being said in Scripture. But if we were to be honest, how does this trait open itself up for wisdom or understanding? Is there room for the Holy Spirit?
When Yeshua taught, he used parable stories that would cause people to think. The religious leadership of the day were not too happy with this method. The Word of G-d, meaning the Torah was the only acceptable script. The Synagogue’s custom of the day was to read a Torah portion then sit down. When Yeshua met with the masses, He didn’t use this method. Why?
I can easily imagine the leadership saying to themselves, “Who is this man? What can his stories possibly relate to if He is not reading directly from the Torah?”
In Romans 8, we find a very important step in learning to read the Word.
“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”
The Spirit speaks to our groanings and our needs, interceding for us when we lack the ability to see. (Rom. 8: 26-27.) In knowing the importance of the Spirit, please consider the following methods in learning to read the written word.
- Be willing to put aside what your flesh believes to be true. Over the years, we are filled with dogma and customs that stop us from hearing the truth of the Kingdom. Whether we like it or not, we sometimes don’t want to hear the truth if it calls for change.
- Seek the Spirit. Ask for your heart and mind to be open to what is being said.
- Don’t be anxious to move on, but bathe in the Word and meditate on it.
- Ask who, what, when, where, and why every time you open the Word.
There are so many deep understandings about Yeshua in this week’s portion. I sincerely hope you will be blessed in your studies.
Rollyn