There’s So Much in That Book!
Several years ago, late in the autumn of that year, we started the study of Ephesians on Wednesday nights. One of the members, himself a gospel preacher and excellent bible student, was an important participant in that study, but as was his custom, he left for Florida to spend the winter. He always returned in mid-April the following year. We had finished only one chapter of Ephesians before he left (having devoted at least two weeks to the first chapter), and by the time he returned, he expected us to be well into the study of another letter of the New Testament. To his surprise, we were still studying Ephesians! His statement to me has remained a pleasant memory: “I never knew anyone could make a career out of studying Ephesians.”
Matthew and Acts each have twenty-eight chapters, while all the other books of the New Testament have fewer chapters. Compared to the Old Testament, the Law of Christ doesn’t take nearly as long to read, and frankly, it is much less complicated to understand and remember. Yet, the depth of the riches within the New Testament are much greater (Romans 11:33), and since the Old Testament has been taken away, being nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10: 1- 10), the New Testament is the law we need to read, study, learn, and obey.
Yet, make no mistake: without a good understanding of the Old Law, the student cannot understand and appreciate the improvements and eternal value of the New Law! As Paul said, “the things written aforetime, were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4), as they are a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 – 25). Therefore, when studying books like Romans, Hebrews, and especially Revelation, one must have a good grasp of the Old Law to completely understand the New Law. That’s why there’s so much in that book, and we need it all.
Let me give you an example of how much one can learn from the study of the New Testament. The shortest verse of the New Testament is John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” Now take the time to emphasize each word: JESUS wept, and then Jesus WEPT. As you emphasize the word, contemplate all you can about the word: i.e., Who is Jesus? What is He? Why is He? Was He human or divine or both? He had emotion, but what caused such an emoting at this time: the death of Lazarus, His impending death, or merely the love He had for Lazarus? There are other areas of contemplation you should investigate while concentrating on Jesus. Then study the word wept. How does this emotion prove Him to be the Son of God, knowing He would soon raise Lazarus to life? Did He ever weep again, and why? Does He weep now, and what would stir such grief in our Lord? Again, there are more areas of study in just these two words. But this illustrates how much there is to learn from just two words of this great book called the Bible!
Unfortunately, reading is not as popular as it once was. Back in the day, the better books had very few illustrative drawings or pictures. The reading created the visual in your mind and gave better exercise to your understanding (Hebrews 5:14). As we read the Bible, our minds could visualize the scenes as we placed ourselves into the stories. We used to laugh at funny things, cry at the sad things, and tremble when we read the fearful truth. Nowadays, folks don’t seem to express much emotion from the public reading and even preaching of God’s word. I ponder if part of the reason is because they have never experienced the words of the Bible themselves from reading! Paul said, “Give attendance (attention) to reading … give yourself wholly (completely) to it” (cf. 1 Timothy 4:13 – 16).
There is so much in this book! Take it in hand and let it exercise your mind with the delights God’s truth will generate. Envision yourself at Ephesus, Corinth, or Colossae or traveling through Israel with Jesus and His disciples. Express yourself at the marvels of seeing Him raise the dead or giving sight to the blind. Be a part of the audience as He speaks. Imagine His voice and His appearance! Regain the excitement of the gospel as it pricks your heart and imbibe the promised joys to the faithful. Read it again and again and note how many more riches you receive than the first time you read it. There’s so much in that book!