Bible Reading as a Blessing, Not a Burden

Renew Our Spirituality of the Word

Luke 19:48 …the people were hanging on his words.

Luke’s comment struck me—“hanging on his words.”

Isn’t this what we want in our Bible reading? I crave this kind of attention, posture, and focus for God’s word. But, sadly, it’s not always the case.

I lament the times I read the word and think, “What did I just read? I can’t remember anything.” I was hovering over his words.

I loathe the times I’m distracted by a screen, or a crick in the neck, or an overly groggy eye. Or even worse, when the pillow seems more pleasing.

I suspect I’m not alone in my laments and loathes. And I bet you want to hang on the word of God, too.

Recalibrate Our Theology of the Word

It’s easy to imagine the crowds listening to Christ, hanging on his every word. Undistracted, leaning in, and starry-eyed. Captivated. And then we see our sleepy selves slumped over a Bible, yawning as we sip coffee. I want to caution us at this point. There is a subtle temptation to pit the in-person hearing of Christ over the in-person reading of Christ. Don’t buy it. Here are three reasons why we should prize the Scriptures over being front row in the first century.

“The Sermon on the Mount” etching by Jan Luyken (17th century)

First, Jesus ends the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man by elevating the written word over the supposed need of a miraculous encounter—“He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31). Lesson: Don’t underestimate and undervalue the Bible.