Since when did Amazon’s logo advertise that it sells everything from A to Z? Actually, since the year 2000. The arrow underneath the name, connecting the a and the z, indicates that. I was today years old when I understood that.

The expression “I was today years old” has been around for a few years. You may have seen it on social media. A person shares a piece of information, and someone says, “I was 10 years old when I learned that.” Someone else says, “I was 20 years old.” And then others say, “I was today years old.” Its meaning? They learned that bit of information today.

Saying “I was today years old” is an expression of surprise and sometimes an admission of embarrassment. In some instances, people are incredulous that they didn’t know something until today.

Have you ever had a similar experience with your knowledge of the Bible? A palm to the forehead and a “Why didn’t I know that before?” If so, you are in good company with many other Christians.

There is no reason for embarrassment in learning something new in the Bible no matter how young or old we are. That is because none of us will ever master the content of the Bible. There is always room for growth.

Even a theological giant like Martin Luther expressed that attitude. He wrote, “The Bible is the proper book for men. There the truth is distinguished from error far more clearly than anywhere else, and one finds something new in it every day. For twenty-eight years, since I became a doctor, I have now constantly read and preached the Bible; and yet I have not exhausted it but find something new in it every day” (What Luther Says, Vol. 1, p. 71).

Expecting to acquire added information from the Bible is not an innovative idea. It is part of God’s will for his children. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter penned this instruction for God’s people of all ages: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Notice from that verse that the goal of Bible reading is not merely to increase our database of biblical information. Growth in grace is part of the picture. Through our use of God’s gospel in Word and sacrament, the Holy Spirit deepens our conviction that we are God’s dearly loved and forgiven children. He strengthens our connection to Jesus, our Savior. He fortifies us for more faithful Christian living.

Robert Balza’s article about confirmation puts all this in perspective for young Christians. It is tempting for young followers of the Lord to look upon confirmation as the end: the end of intensively studying God’s Word, memorizing Bible passages, and meeting with peers to apply Scripture to life’s circumstances.

While confirmation ends a time of formal education in God’s Word, it marks the beginning of wider participation in the life of the congregation—most important, the reception of the Lord’s Supper—and serves as an important mile marker on a lifelong journey of studying and learning more of God’s Word.

As I wrote this article, my wife informed me that she too was today years old when she first understood the logo of the world’s largest online retailer. Neither of us is bothered by that—even though our son works at Amazon! After all, in life, learning late is better than not learning at all. And that is especially true when it comes to the contents of the Bible.

James Pope | FIC Editor

Author: James Pope
Volume 112, Number 05
Issue: May 2025