Day 2

 Picture this: You’re having a conversation with a friend who, with a childlike excitement, proudly declares that he’s the biggest fan of LeBron James.

"Really? Have you seen his latest game, the semi-final?"

"Well, no, I’ve actually never watched a single NBA game."

"Wait, what? How can you be a fan of LeBron if you've never seen him play?"

"I guess it's just a cultural thing. Who doesn’t like him, right?"

At this point, you might pause and think: What does it really mean to be a fan of LeBron? It’s not just about knowing that he’s cool or belonging to a certain community of basketball lovers. It’s about watching his games and understanding the ins and outs of basketball. It’s about his influence, his legacy, and the way he’s shaped culture—both on and off the court.

Now, let’s take that same logic and flip it for a moment. How can we say we’re Christians, followers of Jesus, without truly knowing the heart of God? Without diving into the Scriptures, without seeking to understand His character? It’s like saying you’re a fan of LeBron, but you’ve never watched a game — you’re missing the essence of it.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

In this passage, John identifies Jesus as the Word (Logos), revealing that Jesus is the ultimate and full revelation of God. This affirms the theological understanding that in Jesus, God’s nature, will, and purpose are fully manifested. The Bible, from beginning to end, is a unified redemptive story, with Jesus as its central figure. The Old Testament points forward to the coming of the Messiah, preparing the way for His arrival, while the New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Understanding this Christocentric framework transforms how we approach and interpret Scripture, seeing all of God's Word through the lens of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Thus, the Bible is not just a collection of individual stories, but a single narrative that points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Both the Old and New Testaments testify to the Word, with the Old Testament laying the foundation for His coming, and the New Testament revealing His identity and work. Every part of Scripture, therefore, speaks to who Jesus is — both His divine nature and His character. The Scriptures are not merely historical accounts or moral teachings; they are a divine revelation of Jesus, showing how He is the ultimate expression of God's will and purpose for humanity.

Later, in John 5:39-40 we can see the logical continuation of this thought said by Jesus:

Being a Christian isn’t just about naming. It’s about knowing God and His character. It’s about exploring His Word, understanding His nature, and letting His character shape our lives. As the Holy Scriptures for our souls are like a food for our bodies.

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

To explore the importance of the Bible for knowing God's nature, we begin with the Gospel of John, specifically the opening verses:

Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders, pointing out that the Scriptures — which they studied meticulously — are ultimately about Him. To truly know Jesus, they need to recognize that He is the fulfillment of what they are reading.

Discovering Jesus' exceptional personality is a captivating and insightful process that can open a new perspective on ourselves. We may feel like we are a perfectly spotless white wall, but as we see the true light shining in Jesus' face, we may recognize that what we thought was white is actually just a shade of grey. This revelation uncovers our true nature and sets us on the path of truth and redemption.

Final thought for today: Being a Christian is more than just claiming the title — it's about truly knowing God, understanding His character, and living life according to Christian values. The Bible reveals His nature, and through Scripture, we allow His character to shape our lives, bringing us closer to the fullness of who He created us to be.

As we dive deeper into God’s personality, we may be faced with the logical question: 'What is our purpose in His global plan?' Buckle up — because in the next lesson, we’ll find the answer.