Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

This morning there are many today that have a skewed view of the Scriptures. Many think that the Bible is a good history lesson, or that it has wonderful stories or fables that can be used to teach children lessons. These statements are not false, but they do not hit upon "the whole truth." The "whole truth" and most important truth about the Scriptures is that they show us things about our Lord. This book is NOT just history or stories (while the history and accounts are indeed true and accurate), this book is a thorough furnisher of His people and gives us all that we need here in this low ground of sin and sorrow.

Notice that Christ told these Pharisees to "search the scriptures." At that time, the New Testament had not yet been penned by Divine Inspiration. So, obviously, He has the 39 books of the Old Testament in mind when He says this. Therefore, the first 39 books of the Bible are testifying of Him. Many people ask me how to read the Old Testament, for they find it monotonous and difficult. The easiest answer is to read the Old Testament and look for Christ. Look for Him in the giving of the law, look for Him in the giving of ordinances, look for Him in the lives of His people as they are accounted throughout. If you do not see Him, keep digging. He is there.

Many of us put pictures of our loved ones in our houses, wallets, cars, office desks, etc. The Heavenly Father has painted beautiful portraits of His Son, and placed them with liberal strokes throughout the Old Testament. When we begin to look at the OT, we begin to see the parallels in the life of Joseph to the life of Christ. We begin to see a shadow or representation of Christ on the day of atonement in Leviticus 16. We begin to see a picture of Christ in the rock that brought forth water in abundance for the children of Israel. (Exodus 17 and Numbers 20) We begin to see a picture of the redemption of the bride of Christ with the redemption of Ruth by Boaz. We begin to see the redemption of spiritual Israel by Christ with the redemption of natural Israel by David smiting Goliath (and many other occasions).

We begin to see the smiting that Christ would endure as shown in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. These are some of the BIG pictures (11x17 wall portraits). Once we find them, we begin to rejoice, and our study becomes sweeter. Then, we begin to look for the smaller pictures all the way down to the wallet size photos. We begin to see a picture of the redemption made by Christ in the account of David's mighty man that slew the lion in the pit on a snowy day. (I Chronicles 11:22) We begin to see a picture of Christ in each prophecy about Him: His virgin birth, birthtown (Bethlehem), tribe (Judah), Kingship (Zion), and likeness (Lion). Each of these "little" things about Christ together bring about another picture that makes us rejoice. Let us ever strive to find these beautiful pictures that the Lord has left on record so that we would know more about Jesus. One day we will know Him even as He knows us, but let us try to know all that we can while on our journey here below.

In Hope,

Bro Philip