John 7:42

Some in the crowd continue to deliberate among themselves, “Don’t the ancient scrolls say the Messiah is a direct descendent of King David?” they mutter. “Furthermore, do the Scriptures not also say he would be born in the town of Bethlehem, just like David was?” John 7:42 EFP 

The people are right. They know the Scriptures well enough to know the Christ would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. They also know the Messiah would be a descendent of King David. All these things they had heard from their teachers and their parents since they were infants. They have the facts in order. They have the information down pat. They are correct. Yet, they are misguided because they are missing a key ingredient. They do not know Jesus’ story.

Had they known not only the information that speaks of the Messiah they would have known Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, and that both his parents were direct descendants of King David. Knowing the information is never enough when it comes to matters of faith. I must know Jesus. Personally. Intimately. His mind. His motives. His heart. Only then does the information make sense. Only then do the words of Scripture become the power of God to save me, change me, mold me, and use me. The words of Scripture do not save me—they point me to the One who alone can (John 5:39). They invite me to become acquainted with my Savior; to lose myself in His life and live in His footsteps. I pray God delivers me from placing my confidence in the mere knowledge of Him. I want to know him as best I can until the day I meet Him face to face.