Is it sufficient just to know the Bible? 2,000 years ago, the Jews took pride in knowing the Bible more than any other people. To considerable degree, it was true that they knew the Bible. Then, did they recognize Christ? As a matter of course, they also had to recognize Jesus because the Bible testifies about Christ. Of course, they understood who Jesus was. So they crucified Jesus who said he came as the "Son of God" on the cross.
Jesus said he came as the "Son" of God, as if he had been a different being from God the Father Jehovah.
"Abba", Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:36)
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (Matthew 6:9)
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
Jesus described God Jehovah as the Almighty One and Himself as a child who obeys the commands of the Father. That is, he regarded himself as the same position like us. Here, don't you have a question? Why did the Jews resent Jesus when he said he came as the Son of God, which might have not been any problem? Further, why did they crucify Him on the cross?
“… I [Jesus] and the Father are one." Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." (John 10:30-33)
Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:17-18)
When Jesus said, "I and the Father are one," the Jews responded by saying "You, a mere man, claim to be God." Also, when Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working," they blamed him for making himself equal with God. Why did they understand "calling God his own Father" as "making himself equal with God"?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
The Jews knew the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. In around 700 B.C., the prophet Isaiah foretold that ‘Almighty God would come as a Son.’ Therefore, the Jews got into rage when he said, "I and Father are one." They knew the Bible better than the disciples.
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:8-10)
Philip was not able to understand the words of Jesus properly although he had been with Jesus. He could not understand why Jesus called himself the "Son of God" until he learned many teachings after Jesus ascended to heaven.
The Jews, who understood the word of Jesus by themselves, rejected Jesus and were destroyed after all. Philip, who realized after being taught from Jesus, was blessed. What's the difference between them? Just knowing the Bible is not sufficient. It's no more than mere acquisition of knowledge. To know the Bible means "to realize the words and put them in practice."
While seeing many people leaving, saying that they came to know Christ who has come as
the Spirit and the bride in the Bible, I thought of the Jews. They also knew but did not believe.