In what ways can we better "read" and "understand" Scripture as Jesus advises? Verse in Focus Mark 13:14: “So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea should flee to the mountains.” Why Jesus Tells Us to ‘Read and Understand’ • He assumes we have Scripture in our hands and can examine it for ourselves (cf. Luke 10:26). • He points us back to Daniel’s prophecy, showing that earlier Scripture explains later Scripture (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). • He warns that right understanding leads to right action—misreading breeds danger (Matthew 7:24–27). Cultivating a Teachable Heart • Begin with humility, confessing that God’s Word is true and authoritative (Psalm 119:160). • Ask the Spirit to open your mind to understand, just as Jesus did for the disciples (Luke 24:45). • Approach the text believing it is able to make you “wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15–16). Reading Practices that Honor Jesus’ Command • Read entire books, not just isolated verses, so context governs meaning. • Trace cross-references; let Scripture interpret Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Note the plain, literal sense first; figures of speech become clear against that backdrop. • Watch for time indicators, audience, and setting—critical in prophetic passages like Mark 13. • Keep a running list of repeated words and themes; they signal what God emphasizes. Keys to Deeper Understanding • Compare translations, but return to a trusted, literal text for study. • Use a concordance to see how key terms are used elsewhere (e.g., “abomination” in Daniel). • Study background—history, geography, covenant context—but never let it overshadow the text itself. • Memorize and meditate; understanding grows as verses sink from head to heart (Psalm 119:11). • Obey what you’ve learned; light received and acted on brings more light (John 7:17). Putting It All Together Jesus’ simple parenthesis—“let the reader understand”—invites every believer to active, informed, Spirit-led study. Honor that call by reading widely, digging deeply, and yielding quickly to the truth you discover. |
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