Words of Life

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40, ESV).

The Words of God are words of life. This Minangkabau woman is reading her sacred book. To her, even if she doesn’t understand them, these sacred words have power in and of themselves. She’s hoping that by reading these words that it will give her merit before Holy God. She’s hoping that her good works will outweigh her sins.

In Jesus’ day there were a group of religious leaders who carefully read and memorized and debated the scripture. In John 5:39-40 Jesus chides these leaders at how carefully they search the scriptures as if they can find life by doing such things. He exhorted them that the scriptures testify about His person. All who want to find life must come to God’s Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Those who come to Jesus, and they alone, are the ones who will find eternal life.

People all over the world are religious. They put their faith in many things, but only One object of faith is sufficient to deal with the problem of sin. There is only One who is able to open the doors to heaven.

Pray for this woman and multiplied thousands like her to encounter the Living Word of God.

Pray that Sumatrans will not miss Jesus in the midst of searching the scriptures.

Pray for Sumatrans to recognize the hopelessness of trying to merit salvation through good works.

Pray for believers on Sumatra to be bold to introduce many people to Jesus.