Last week I asked the question, “But, do you know why the “People of the Book” themselves were there?” What brought a group of very different people together, and what kept them together? Which takes me to the next question, one that I do know the answer to: Who are these mysterious “People of the Book”?

If you asked a Jewish person about the “People of the Book” she might explain that God spoke to the Hebrew people through prophets, and they were accountable to both tell and record His Word. In a sense the Book was intended to be a type of owner’s manual for Israel, to allow them to know the God they followed and what He required. It includes history, poetry, practical wisdom, and lots of prophecy. The books compiled together form one Book: the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Jewish Bible.

If you asked the same question to a follower of Jesus (a Christian) you would get a similar and expanded answer. There are 66 books that form the entire Christian Bible, and within it are two main sections referred to as the Old and New Testament. (Some say the First and Second Testaments. The first was written primarily in Hebrew and the second primarily in Greek.) All of the Bible is inspired and imperative to rightly knowing God and understanding His plan for the world. Of prime importance, the Hebrew Testament is packed with prophecy concerning the promised Messiah. The Greek (New) Testament reveals the promised Messiah as Jesus Christ. There is much more to be said about this, but for now this is all that needs to be said.

Both Jews and Christians are rightly called “People of the Book” because they believe in the divinely inspired Word of God: the Bible. Both are Monotheistic, meaning they believe in One God, not many gods. Were it not for the Bible, my guess would be as good as anyone else regarding whether or not there is a God—or gods—and what this God is like and what He requires. It is the God-breathed Bible that makes all the difference.

So where do Jews and Christians differ? On the question of Jesus Christ being the Messiah. When He came 2000 years ago, the Jewish people were expecting a conquering Messiah who would deliver them from the tyranny of Rome. But God knew the real need was greater, and His plan was to deliver all people from the power of sin through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. The Jewish people still anticipate the coming of Messiah; the Christian awaits His victorious return.

Take another look at the People of the Book in chapter 5 of The Bridge from OneDayBow. They not only have the Book, they try to live by the Book. Do you think that is what keeps them together? Isn’t that how it should be?