What Jesus Did! 'The Center of Scripture' — John 5:39-40

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life."
— John 5:39-40 NLT

Key Thought

As important as the Scriptures are, Jesus is very much more important. He is the message to whom Scripture points. [1] He is the key to unlock the message of God in the Bible. He is the reason the "Amen" can be spoken when Scripture is read. Jesus is the crucial, central, essential message around which Scripture turns. Why? Because he is God's greatest word. [2] He is "'Immanuel... God with us.'" [3] He is God's message. He gives life.

[1] John 1:1, 14.
[2] Hebrews 1:1-3.
[3] Matthew 1:23 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, O Lord God of Israel, for speaking through nature, Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and experience. Thank you, most of all, for speaking so clearly and definitively in Jesus. Please open my heart and my mind to the message you want me to hear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 5:39-40 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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