The Bible Echo
October 22, 1894
“Search the Scriptures”
“Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me.” BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 1
After the resurrection, two of the disciples, while travelling to Emmaus, were talking over the disappointed hopes occasioned by the death of their beloved Master. Christ Himself drew near, unrecognized by His sorrowing disciples. Their faith had died with their Lord, and their eyes, blinded by unbelief, did not discern the risen Saviour. Jesus, walking by their side, did not reveal Himself abruptly. He accosted them as fellow-travellers, and asked them the subject of their conversation, and why they were so sad. Astonished at the question, they inquired if He were indeed a stranger in Jerusalem, and had not heard that a prophet mighty in word and in deed had been taken by wicked hands and crucified. And now it was the third day since Jesus died; and strange reports had been brought to their ears that He had risen; and had been seen by certain of the disciples. But Jesus said to them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and the prophets, He opened to them the scriptures concerning Himself. Had they been familiar with these, they would have understood concerning His life, His suffering, and His death and resurrection. Their faith would have been sustained, their hopes would have remained unshaken; for the treatment Christ would receive from those He came to save was plainly stated. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 2
The apostle tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” There is power in the word of God, and those who frame excuses for neglecting to become acquainted with its teachings, will neglect the claims of God in many respects. The character will be deformed, the words and acts a reproach to the cause of Christ. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 3
The student should be as thoroughly in earnest to become intelligent in the knowledge of the Scriptures as to excel in the study of the sciences. If either is neglected, it should not be the word of God. The injunction of our Saviour, “Search the Scriptures,” should be religiously regarded by every one who professes His name. Parents should make the Book of God their constant guide. They should not plead trifling excuses for not interesting themselves in its study with their children. But instead of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, they often exalt the temporal above the spiritual and eternal. This example of forgetfulness of God and neglect of His word, moulds the minds of the children after a worldly standard, and not after the exalted standard erected by Christ. How much more profitable to be faithful disciples of Christ, ever searching the Scriptures, that they may be able to give an intelligent explanation of the word given of God to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 4
Fathers and mothers, take up your long-neglected duties. Search the Scriptures yourselves; assist your children in the study of the sacred word. Do not send the children away by themselves to study the Bible, but read it with them; teach them in a simple manner as far as you know, and be diligent students that you may guide them wisely. Follow Christ's injunction, “Search the Scriptures,” then will you gain spiritual strength yourselves, and be able rightly to instruct your children. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 5
“They are they that testify of Me,” - of the Redeemer, Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centred. The prayer of Christ for His disciples was, “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” If we are to be sanctified through the truth, we must have an intelligent knowledge of God's will as revealed in His word. We must search the Scriptures, not merely rush through a chapter, taking no pains to understand it; but we must dig for the jewel of truth, which will enrich the mind and the soul. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 6
By searching the written word we are enabled closely to observe the divine Model. As one becomes acquainted with the history of the Redeemer, he discovers in himself serious defects of character; his unlikeness to Christ is so great that he sees the necessity for radical changes in his life. Still he studies, with a desire to become like his great Exemplar. He catches the looks, the spirit, of his beloved Master; by beholding, - “by looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,” - he becomes changed into the same image. Even unconsciously we imitate that with which we are familiar. By having a knowledge of Christ, - His words, His habits, and His lessons of instruction, -we instinctively copy the virtues of the character we have so closely studied, and become imbued with the spirit which we have so much admired. Jesus becomes to us “chiefest among ten thousand,” the one “altogether lovely.” BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” But there are very many who profess to be Christians who gratify the desires of the carnal heart in following their own inclinations; and God-given probationary time, granted them to become acquainted with the precious truths of the Bible, is devoted to the reading of fictitious tales. This habit, once formed, is overcome with difficulty; but it can be done, and it must be done by all who would gain eternal life. That mind is ruined which is allowed to be absorbed in story-reading. The imagination becomes diseased, and there is a vague unrest, a strange appetite for unwholesome mental food. Thousands are today in insane asylums whose minds became unbalanced by novel-reading, which results in air-castle building and a sickly sentimentalism. BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 8
The Bible is the book of books. Practice its precepts, and it will be to you life and health. “For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy soul, discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 9