What Are We Missing?

I am going to continue with this universal theme the human mind carries close! Show me proof!  Help me to believe the unbelievable! 

36 But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. 37 The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. 38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. 39 "You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! 40 And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want. (John 5:36-40 The Message)

As I read that passage this morning I couldn’t help be think:  Man, I wish people today had their heads in their Bibles constantly trying to find anything!  Not to mention eternal life!  

Usually when the majority of people go to their Bibles today it is to find something that will cement their point in an argument.  I think what most of them don’t realize is that the Bible can most always find support for either side.  Eugene Peterson calls this kind of searching, using the Bible as a “toolbox”. 

I digress!   

What we read in this passage is a frustrated Jesus.  He -- God -- has come to earth to teach people eye to eye, voice to voice.   And they are still looking for him on the pages of The Book. 

....here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want.

I am not sure, but it seems to me that our sophisticated  human minds just can’t seem to let this faith thing be simple.  We are always finding ways to complicate Jesus’ offer of life -- the abundant life -- that God is so willing to provide. 

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10).  

Jesus isn’t talking about the abundance of  possessions or money or friends.  He is talking about a life that brings joy to the heart, and purpose to living.

The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice,....   

Don’t you wonder what it is we’ve missed?  

Or better yet, how we have missed it?