The secret to eternal life

Pushing aside thick vines at the cave entrance, the explorers stepped inside. Dust particles danced in the torchlight as the beam swept the darkness – then landed on it. The ancient book that held the secret to eternal life. Reverently they opened it, eyes racing over the words. Hours passed. Finally one exclaimed, "Is this it? It says, The one who lives atop the mountain gives eternal life." "No," the others replied. "The secret must be in the book, not somewhere else." So they kept searching, eventually taking the book home, where endless scholars pored over its text, convinced the answer was hidden inside. That would be a crazy story – except it's true. Jesus said exactly this to the people of his day: "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." (John 5:39-40). God's Word gives us guidance and instruction for living, yet none of it will bring you eternal life. Every word points to the living Word, Jesus (John 1:14), who gives eternal life – not because of what we do, but because of what he has done for us. Yet how many of us are like those explorers, thinking in our Bible study or works we will find life, but refusing to come to him? "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11). Will you come to Jesus? (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Joh5v39-40, bit.ly/joh1v14, bit.ly/1jo5v11