the word residing

Devotions from Jefferson Vann # 2400

John 5:36-40

Joh 5:36 “But I have a more significant testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given me to complete. These works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me.
Joh 5:37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen what he looks like.
Joh 5:38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent.
Joh 5:39 You examine the Scriptures in detail because you think you have permanent life in them, and yet they testify about me.
Joh 5:40 But you do not want to come to me so that you may have life.

the word residing

The irony Jesus draws our attention to here is that the very people who are spending their lives studying the Scriptures are those who are missing out on the promise of permanent life. They need to do more than know the Bible. They need to know him. They need to come to him, and believe him. They need the word residing in them.

LORD, we welcome your word residing within us.