The words of Scripture are food for the hungry soul. Even so, sometimes those words are difficult to chew.
I began to read the Bible just after I came to Christ at fifteen years old. I read the entire text in just a few months. I continued to diligently read it again and again. Yes, I understood enough that was helpful in forming me as a disciple. But, the more I read, the more questions I had. I was learning to be a learner, to read reflectively, and to ask questions. The more I read, the more I didn’t understand. I needed a teacher, someone who could answer my questions and guide me into the “solid food” of the word (1 Corinthians 3:2).
This is a difficult statement
Jesus declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves” (John 6:53). The words angered his audience and even confused and offended his disciples. They said, “This is a difficult statement” (John 6:60, NASB 95). Many disciples left him because of these words (John 6:66). A simple literal reading of these words leads to cannibalism. So much for literalism. An informed reading leads us to understand that Jesus is using the imagery of the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper) to explain the significance of his death on the cross. Jesus’ disciples often did not understand his words (Mark 9:32; Luke 18:34). Sometimes the Bible just isn’t that clear.
Do you understand what you are reading?
… there was an Ethiopian eunuch… reading the prophet Isaiah… Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him (Acts 8:27-31). The message of Isaiah was compelling to the Ethiopian. He wanted to understand, but it was beyond his comprehension. So, the Holy Spirit sent Philip to explain the Scriptures. The Ethiopian needed a teacher to help him understand. He invited Philip to be his teacher. He was open to instruction. As Philip explained the message of Isaiah, the Ethiopian came to faith in Jesus and was baptized. We all need Spirit-led teachers to guide us in the Faith.
You have need again for someone to teach you
The pastor who wrote Hebrews was frustrated with his congregation. He desired to teach them about the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. He wrote: Concerning him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become poor listeners… you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God (Hebrews 5:11-12). The Christology of Hebrews is difficult, but necessary if believers are to understand the Faith. This requires attentive listeners and mature and trained teachers who have disciplined their senses (minds) so that they can discern between doctrine that is good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). The mysteries of the Faith – the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of the Word – can be profoundly difficult to grasp.
There are some things that are hard to understand
When speaking about the letters of Paul, the apostle Peter said, “there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Yes, Holy Scripture can be hard to understand and easily distorted. That’s precisely why Paul exhorted Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Proper understanding requires diligent study.
Regard them very highly in love
Paul wrote, “But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and care in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13). We have all benefited from the diligent work of scholars. We have wonderful English translations of the Bible due to the diligence of linguistic scholars who have committed their lives to the study of the ancient languages of Scripture – Hebrew and Greek. We have benefited from the work of church historians who help us remember how the Lord has redeemed us (Deuteronomy 32:7). We have benefited from the work of Bible scholars who have filled libraries with insightful commentaries. We have benefited from the work of trained theologians who have helped us discern the mysteries of the Faith. Good teachers are worthy of “double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17).
I’ve been reading and studying Scripture, theology, and church history for decades. At best, my understanding is like seeing “in a mirror dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). I still have questions – lots of questions. I still need the wisdom of colleagues and elders. I must approach the divinely inspired word prayerfully, and with much humility. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord!
