“Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’” John 9:40
Remember those Where’s Waldo book? I hated those books. I could never find that face with the annoying smirk on it. One time, I spent over an hour looking at one page trying to find Waldo. I could not find him. I asked my brother, Quan, and he found Waldo inside of a minute. It turns out, Waldo was right in front of my chin (toward the lower part of the page) then entire time.
Sometimes, I feel trying to understand the Bible is like that. Trying to make sense of all the teachings, from the Old to the New Testaments. I have to remind myself that the Old is part of the Old Covenant and I need to focus more on the New Covenant in the New Testament. However, within the New Testament, there are points that are conflicting and how should I go about rectifying that?
Furthermore, I find that my interpretation and understanding of the Bible have evolved over time. I see that how I thought of any certain text has changed since seminary and earlier times.
In many ways, I often feel like those Pharisees asking Jesus if they are blind. Yet, I feel I am different from them in one way. I am not that confident! These Pharisees know their Torah and they remembered all 667 laws of the Pentateuch! I can’t recall what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:18. I should! (here it is, I just looked it up: “for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.”)
However, I know that in order to see the presence of God and the miracles of Christ happening all around me, I must keep my mind open to the reality that the Bible is only one form of how God comes to us. He comes to us in many ways and in many forms. Keeping an open mind to the world around me, I believe, gives me a more practical approach to life, relationship and my personal spirituality.
The Bible is only one source. I don’t have to scour the Bible like I did with those Waldo books thinking that the search for Jesus can only be done in the pages of the Bible. God reveals himself to us through the miracles of everyday life.
How do you search for God? How do you encounter God?
Prayer: Dear Lord of our lives, reveal to us the Will of your wisdom, the works of your grace and the strength of your mercy so that we may use it to proclaim your message of hope, love and peace through words and deeds. Amen.
