Jesus SAVED My Life At 14 Years Old | Christian Testimony
How to Truly Understand and Read the Bible: A Jesus-Centered Journey
Have you ever opened the Bible, eager to connect with God, only to feel lost or frustrated? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too—wondering why some parts felt like riddles and others seemed so far removed from my life. After reading the Bible cover to cover 23 times, I’ve learned something life-changing: The Bible teaches us how to read itself. And the secret? It’s all about Jesus.
Let me share my journey with you and help you unlock the Bible’s full potential.
My Struggles with Scripture
When I first started reading the Bible, I approached it as a rulebook, a collection of wise sayings, or even a puzzle to solve. But no matter how much I read, something always felt missing. Certain passages seemed irrelevant, and others downright confusing. I found myself asking, Why did God even include this?
It wasn’t until I realized one foundational truth that everything changed: The Bible is a unified story that points to Jesus. Once I began reading it with this perspective, passages that once baffled me suddenly came alive. Let me show you how this works.
The Bible as a GPS
Think of the Bible like a GPS. When you’re driving, you need a destination, right? If you don’t set one, you’ll wander aimlessly, take wrong turns, and eventually get frustrated. The same goes for Scripture. If Jesus isn’t your destination, you’ll miss the point and feel lost.
I’ve seen so many people—myself included, at one point—focus on everything but Jesus. They’re caught up in debates about spiritual gifts, end-times prophecies, or obscure theological points. While these topics have their place, they can distract us from the main message. When you make Jesus your focus, everything else starts to make sense.
What Jesus Says About the Bible
If the Bible is all about Jesus, then it makes sense to see what Jesus himself says about it. One of my favorite passages is Luke 24:25-27. Picture the scene: Jesus is walking with two disciples who are confused and disheartened after his crucifixion. They don’t even realize they’re talking to the risen Christ. Here’s what he says:
“Then he said to them, ‘Oh fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
What’s happening here is profound. Jesus is essentially saying, "The entire Bible points to me." From Genesis to Malachi, every law, prophecy, and story is part of a larger narrative about Jesus. This realization changed how I read the Bible forever.
Missing the Point
In John 5:39, Jesus has a similar conversation with religious leaders:
“Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
These leaders knew the Scriptures inside out. They could quote entire books from memory. Yet, they missed the central message: it’s all about Jesus. This taught me something important: you can know the Bible intellectually but completely miss its heart.
Reading the Bible without focusing on Jesus is like following a recipe but leaving out the main ingredient. You might end up with something edible, but it won’t be the dish it was meant to be. Similarly, if Jesus isn’t the center of your Bible reading, you’ll miss the richness and depth it offers.
How I Learned to Read the Bible Differently
When I started looking for Jesus in every passage, everything changed. For example:
The Law: The rules and rituals in the Old Testament once felt tedious to me. Now I see them as shadows of Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf.
The Prophets: Their warnings and promises aren’t just historical artifacts; they point to Jesus as the ultimate Savior.
The Psalms: These songs of worship and lament often echo Jesus’ own experiences, from his suffering to his victory.
This shift in perspective helped me move from frustration to awe. Suddenly, the Bible wasn’t just a book; it was a living, breathing story of God’s love for us through Jesus.
Practical Steps for a Jesus-Centered Reading
If you’re ready to transform how you read the Bible, here are some tips that worked for me:
Start with Prayer: Before you open your Bible, ask God to reveal Jesus to you through his Word. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your reading.
Ask the Right Questions: As you read, ask yourself, How does this passage point to Jesus? Even in unexpected places, you’ll start to see connections.
Focus on the Gospels: Spend time in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books give you a clear picture of Jesus—his teachings, his character, and his mission.
Use Resources: There are great Christ-centered commentaries and study guides that can help you see Jesus in every part of the Bible.
Reflect on the Gospel: Remember that the heart of the Bible is the gospel: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Keep this at the forefront of your mind as you read.
Why This Matters to Me—And to You
Understanding the Bible as a book about Jesus has deepened my relationship with God in ways I never thought possible. It’s no longer a chore to read; it’s a joy. I’ve found answers to questions that once seemed unanswerable and comfort in moments when I felt lost.
More importantly, this approach has helped me see that the Bible isn’t just about information; it’s about transformation. It’s God’s way of drawing us closer to him and helping us become more like Jesus.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt lost or frustrated while reading the Bible, I encourage you to try this Jesus-centered approach. Treat the Bible like a GPS with Jesus as your destination. Let him be the main ingredient in every passage you read. When you do, you’ll not only understand the Bible more deeply but also experience the love and grace of God in a whole new way.
The Bible is all about Jesus, and when you read it with that in mind, it will transform your heart, your mind, and your life.
