‘Do not add to what I commended to you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.’ Deuteronomy 4:2
Barry was a hospital chaplaincy visitor. As he went round the wards he got many different receptions. When people realised who he was, they sometimes feigned sleep, others wanted to talk about their families and their careers. He was there representing Christ and that was done by listening. Only occasionally could he lead the conversations to God, if it seemed relevant. Christians wanted to talk about their faith and there were times when he could pray with them.
One morning he met a man called Colin, who explained that he was trying to read the Bible but was finding it difficult. ‘I’ve just managed Genesis,’ he said, ‘but I think I’ll give up now.’ He thought he had to start at page 1 and continue to the end.
Barry was able to explain, ‘Colin, the Bible isn’t like any other book, it’s made up of 66 books, written by many different people at very different times. You can’t read it like any other book, you need to start with the easier books.’
Barry suggested he started with the four gospels which were about the life of Jesus, because He was actually what the Bible was all about, and then go on to the Psalms showing a very human man, who struggled and sinned. Barry was right, the Bible is not like any other book.