Scripture:

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:39-47 ESV)

Observations:

The Hebrew people were putting all their hope in Moses and his teachings, not realizing that Moses was a flashlight pointing towards the greater Prophet who was to come - Jesus of Nazareth. The thing they thought would save them and justify them - Moses - would actually condemn them.

In life, it is often the things we take confidence in that will condemn us. The moralist is banking on their behavior for justification on the day of judgment. The spiritual person is placing their hope in their mysticism. The philanthropist hopes to tip the scale based upon their good deeds. At the end of it all, however, true forgiveness and justification is only found in the blood of Jesus Christ. The scale cannot be tipped, it needs to be dunked in the blood of the Messiah.

Application:

Place your hope squarely, and solely, in Jesus. Jesus + Nothing = Everything.

Prayer:

Lord, strip me of everything in my life that is a source of self-justification outside of you.