Welcome to my first post in my series based on my Bible class.
Since it’s our first post, let’s set the groundwork for how we’re going to look at the Old Testament. Many see the OT stories as good examples for us to follow (that’s how I was raised to see them), or lessons on being a radical Christian like the Bible heroes (I got a bit of that too). Others put everything into theological categories. These are all okay, but is there more? Did Jesus show us how to understand the OT? Indeed he did!
Remember the Road to Emmaus? (Luke 24: 13-35)
After the Resurrection, two men walked along this dusty well-traveled road. Suddenly, Jesus joined them, but he closed their eyes to his identity. They asked Jesus (who they didn’t know was Jesus!) if he’d heard about the events in Jerusalem–about Jesus of Nazareth dying on the cross. Um, hello! They were in the presence of the very one they were talking about. I want to shout. “Don’t you see? It’s HIM!”
But, what Jesus taught them is what’s incredibly helpful for understanding the Bible. Do you remember? They shared their disappointment over Jesus’ death. They’d hoped he was the Promised One. Here’s how Jesus answered them.
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27 ESV)
What? Beginning with Moses? What a coincidence. Moses wrote the book we’re studying. So does that mean…could it mean? Exodus is about Jesus? Of course it is!
And that’s how we’re going to study these gorgeous, amazing, life-changing passages. Always finding Jesus and the glorious plan of redemption. Just like he did on the Road to Emmaus.
How does this affect me?
True confessions. When I was in college, I’d been a Christian for a long time. Like I said in the previous post, I was crazy about the Bible since I first became a Christian, but after years of going to church, Bible studies, and more, something terrible happened.
I became bored with the Bible.
I heard the same sermons over and over again–different pastors and teachers–but always the same. If the passage was John 5, I could tell you what the lesson would be. David and Goliath–got that one down. I knew everything a person could know about the Bible, or at least that’s what I thought. (Ha! It makes me laugh to think how ridiculous that sounds.)
Then one historic day, a friend showed me what I just shared with you–The Road to Emmaus–how Jesus’ story weaves through all Scripture. How the greatest literary master of all penned the holy words, and how His love is layered in ways too marvelous to describe! That was almost twenty years ago, and I’ve still barely scratched the surface of the riches inside.
I’m so excited to share my findings with you.
I hope you’ll contribute to the discussion.
Let’s close with a few more verses reminding us of our Savior’s gift of Himself in all of Scripture.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39-40 ESV)
In Acts 2, Peter preaches from the Old Testament texts that all point to the Messiah, then in a climactic ending, he says this:
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. (Acts 2:36 ESV)
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Oh, what a gift he’s given us!
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Ps. 119:103
Therefore…
Do you love the Word of God? This week take some time to pray that God would give you a few things. First, that he would create a deep hunger and delight for his life-giving words, that your would pant for them like a deer for water (heard that somewhere!). Second, ask him to open your mind to the renewing that comes with meditating on the Word. And finally, ask him to open your heart to receive what he teaches you. He speaks to us through his word, just pondering that will change your life forever.
Remember, he loves you like there’s no tomorrow.
Ocieanna
Tune in next week to DIVE into Exodus!
Shine Your Light: What excites you most about God’s Word? I’d love to hear and I know it will bless others also.
Note: I got the Road to Emmaus image from this website. Isn’t it awesome? https://www.jonmcnaughton.com/road-to-emmaus-2/
Books by Ocieanna
