JESUS: THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
Dr. Josimar Salum
August 11, 2025
Many myths and wrong perceptions about God’s Written Word arise because people read a verse in isolation, without considering its full context. This is common even among church leaders, who sometimes quote a single sentence to prove a point without examining the verses before and after, the purpose of the chapter, or the message of the whole book. Even worse is the disregard and dismissal of Jesus Himself — the very One to whom all Scripture points.
Yet, context alone is not enough. The true key to understanding the Bible is Jesus Himself. He is not only the central figure of Scripture; He is the One through whom all of Scripture must be interpreted.
1. THE TRUTH IS IN THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD, AND THE TRUTH IS JESUS.
Truth can be expressed in a single verse, but its meaning is fully understood only when read in its proper context — the surrounding verses, the chapter, the purpose of the book, and the unity of the whole Bible.
Jesus made this clear when He told the religious leaders:
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me.”
— John 5:39
From Genesis to Revelation, all Scripture points to Him. That means that when we study any passage, the question is not merely, What does this mean? but also, How does this reveal Christ?
2. WHY SCRIPTURE IS MISUSED
One of the most common errors is proof-texting — taking a verse out of context to support a pre-decided idea. This approach ignores both the flow of thought in the passage and the fact that the Bible’s ultimate subject is Christ.
For example, Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”) is often quoted to promote personal ambition. But in its context, Paul is talking about enduring all circumstances — abundance or need — for the sake of the gospel.
When verses are detached from Jesus’ teaching, life, and mission, they can be twisted to say almost anything.
3. WHY SCRIPTURE CAN SEEM DIFFICULT
The Bible can feel hard to understand for several reasons:
• It was written in ancient languages to cultures very different from ours.
• Translation differences can obscure original meanings.
• Some parts contain symbolism and prophecy that require careful interpretation.
• People approach the text with preconceived ideas, trying to make it fit their own beliefs.
But the greatest reason for misunderstanding is trying to interpret Scripture apart from Jesus and without the Holy Spirit.
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE REVELATION OF CHRIST
Jesus promised:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth…”
— John 16:13
The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals Jesus in all of Scripture. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets… explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).
This shows us two essential facts:
1. The entire Bible is about Jesus.
2. Only the Spirit can open our eyes to see Him there.
With the Spirit’s guidance, the Scriptures become a living revelation of the Lord, and people no longer see them as a closed, confusing book.
5. HOW TO READ THE BIBLE WITH JESUS AS THE KEY
• Pray for the Spirit’s guidance before and during your reading, asking Him to open your eyes to see Christ in the Scriptures.
• Read in full context — never build doctrine or conviction on an isolated verse apart from the surrounding passage, chapter, and the whole counsel of God.
• Look for Christ — ask in every text how it reveals His character, His work, and His Kingdom.
• Compare Scripture with Scripture — consider the Bible to interpret itself, using related passages to bring clarity and unity to your understanding.
• Study the historical and cultural background so you can grasp how the original audience would have understood the message.
• Approach with humility — come willing to be corrected, instructed, and transformed by the Word.
• Seek to understand the Bible in its original languages — or at least learn how to research and study the Scriptures in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek through reliable tools and resources, so you can get closer to the meaning as God inspired it.
The problem is not that the Bible is too difficult; the problem comes when we read it without the Holy Spirit and without recognizing Jesus as the cornerstone. With the Spirit’s guidance, every book, chapter, and verse aligns into one consistent message — the revelation of Christ and His Kingdom.
“Cornerstone” is a strong biblical image (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6), meaning the foundational stone upon which the entire structure is aligned — which fits perfectly here.
Jesus is not just the main character of the Bible — He is the key to its interpretation. Remove Him, and Scripture becomes a book of disconnected sayings. See Him, and the whole Word of God comes alive in power, clarity, and truth.
#ASONE
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