So I’ll keep reminding you about these things, although you already know them and stand secure in the truth you have. - 2 Peter 1:12
There are times when I am studying the scriptures when I get to particular passages, and it kind of feel like I already know it, and there is no reason to look at it more in depth. This is especially true of those passages we base our life’s work upon, or passages that we have had memorized since childhood. We might think we have already read these verse before, and how could something new come out of something so familiar? However, there is something to be said about repetition.
Even when we think we know exactly what a verse in Scripture says, new situations and different life circumstances might give us an opportunity to see the same words in a different way. I believe that it is for this reason that the disciples, and especially Peter when about speaking the same things again and again and again… to different churches, to different peoples, he wanted to make sure that those he left behind would continue to grow in understanding and love. When he was gone, Peter wanted to make sure that people would not forget the intent of his ministry - to share the love of Christ. He did not want people to simply forget the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of them, instead he wanted that power to grow, and become stronger, that the disciples that would follow would do even greater things than he through the power of Christ.
That being said, perhaps the best encouragement that we can have in studying scripture is to come across a new lesson in an already familiar passage. It is an encouragement to read the same passage, or the same saying, and do so with new eyes and a renewed heart for deeper understanding. So, whether you have read something for the second time of one hundred and second time, you can know that God is still speaking His wisdom to you through the ages, from the Scripture. God continues to shine new light into our lives. He has not brought us yet to completion, but in His presence, He is pouring out wisdom, knowledge and love, that we might go into this would to share what we continue to learn with all whom will listen. In this way the message of Christ continues to spread, everlasting.
Grace & Peace,
Sam