worth the work

In my Bible 101 Zoom Study we are looking at how to read and understand the Bible and I've told those who are a part that reading the Bible for understanding requires work; and in truth most people don't want to do that work.  Most people, if they read the Bible on their own, kind of skim it looking for tidbits that they like and pulling those out as verses that encourage them or make them feel good.  While I understand the desire to find parts of the Bible that you enjoy, we can't just ignore the parts that we don't like or that are hard if we want to be good students of the word.
The truth is that the Bible is an ancient document that has been translated into our language and contains many rites, rituals, symbols, poetry and cultural references that make it very hard to understand at times.  A true student of the Bible is willing to do the work to find clarity and ultimately will have a better understanding of who God is and what the scriptures really say.
And you shouldn't feel bad if you have trouble understanding the Bible.  One little referenced comment from the Apostle Peter about the Apostle Paul is from 2 Peter 3 where Peter says this about Paul's writings (which make up most of the New Testament) "His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other scriptures, to their own destruction."
 
So even Peter says that parts of scripture are hard to understand.  If Peter, who literally walked with Jesus and who personally knew Paul, has trouble at times understanding the meaning of what is written; why wouldn't you.  But I am convinced that it is worth the work to try and learn and know the scriptures because in them we find the words of life and hope that we need.  The Bible is where we find the story of God and his love for us.  The Bible is where we meet Jesus and see his great wisdom, mercy and sacrifice.  The Bible is worth the work because it is where we find that we are beloved children who have been given the great gift of grace.  It's work, but it's worth the work!  
So let's study, let's dig deep, let's do the work together of knowing the word of God so that we can better know God.
 
In Christ,
Pastor Scott