Wednesday Wisdom | Knowing Jesus Means Knowing His Word

Welcome to this week’s episode of Wednesday Wisdom.

Friend, knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him aren’t the same thing. One deals in information whereas the other flourishes in relationship.

We live in a time overflowing with opinions about Jesus. Quotes circulate online while short video clips reduce Him to slogans. People shape Him into a reflection of their own preferences, politics, and desires. Yet, the Christ we are invited to know is not the Jesus of our speculation and imagination. He is the living Christ revealed through Scripture. If we want to know His heart, we must listen to His voice.

And His voice is found in His Word.

The Word Reveals the Person

Many people approach the Bible as a religious textbook, a moral handbook, or a collection of inspirational sayings. We know Scripture is far more than that. The Bible is a revelation of God Himself to us.

Jesus said:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”

‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5.39.NLT

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture points toward Christ. All of the Bible stories, prophecies, psalms, wisdom, commandments, and letters reveal something of His nature, His mission, His character, and His kingdom. Opening the Bible is not just about studying an ancient, sacred document, but about encountering Jesus.

We Cannot Follow a Jesus We Do Not Know

Some believers desire a closeness with God while remaining distant from His Word. But intimacy with Christ cannot grow where His voice is continually ignored.

Imagine claiming deep friendship with someone while never listening to what they say.

Relationship requires attentiveness.

When we read Scripture prayerfully and consistently, we begin to recognize the tone of Christ’s voice.

We see His compassion toward the weary and His firmness toward hypocrisy. We experience His mercy toward sinners and His patience with slow-growing disciples. We receive His invitation to trust God the Father completely. Over time, His Word reshapes us from the inside out.

We start to notice that the goal of reading Scripture is not merely gathering knowledge and information. The Bible isn’t just a big data center. The goal of spending time in God’s Word is our transformation into the likeness of Christ. We thought the Disciples were slow learners. What about us?

Scripture Keeps Us Grounded

Without Scripture, we tend to create a Jesus who conveniently agrees with us. The real Christ confronts us as much as He comforts us. His Word corrects our distorted passions and exposes our pride. The Bible challenges our assumptions. Scripture calls us into repentance, humility, forgiveness, and surrender. The Word does not simply affirm us. It forms us.

This is why spiritual maturity is impossible apart from abiding in Scripture. Feelings fluctuate. Culture changes. Trends fade. But the Word of God remains steadfast and faithful. It remains the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When confusion rises, Scripture anchors us. When suffering comes, Scripture sustains us. When temptation whispers to us, Scripture strengthens us. When God feels distant, our Bible reminds us He is still near. Scripture keeps us grounded.

Reading Conversationally

Knowing Jesus through the Bible is not about rushing through chapters to complete a plan. I’ve always loved this about my wife, Terri. She’s a slow, thoughtful reader, savoring every bite of God’s Word. Over the years, I’ve learned to read my Bible more like she does.

Friend, you can read many pages and be spiritually untouched.

Scripture invites us into conversation. Slow down. Pause. Notice what stirs within you. Ask questions. Listen.

Sometimes a single verse may linger in your soul longer than an entire chapter. The goal is not speed. Don’t rush through it. Pay attention.

Walk out into the deep water and consider what Jesus is revealing about Himself and what is He inviting you to see, surrender, trust, or become?

The Word Becomes Living Within Us

Experience has taught me that the more time I spend in Scripture, the more Scripture begins to dwell in me.

Verses surface in moments of anxiety.
Truth returns during temptation.
Promises strengthen me in grief.
Wisdom guides ordinary decisions.

Over time, the Word becomes less like information stored in our mind and more like life rooted in our soul.

This is part of what it means to abide in Christ. It’s an invitation into continual communion.

Final Reflection

To know Jesus is to know His Word because His Word reveals His heart.

It won’t come all at once. It will require wrestling with what the Word reveals. There will remain mysteries we don’t quite understand.

The Scriptures aren’t merely ink on a page. They are our invitation into the life, presence, and transforming love of Jesus Himself.

If you want to grow closer to Jesus, do not only speak to Him in prayer. Sit with Him in His Word. Listen carefully.

Jesus is still speaking.

Until next time…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™