It’s All About Jesus
Posted on October 15, 2013
by poolsandpastures
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I’m often asked the question, “What is the Bible about?” My response is simple: Jesus. The entire Bible is about Jesus. He is the center of the story. He is the center of God’s love story — the story of God’s love for his people. Jesus said as much himself. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matt. 5:17-18).
Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets because the Old Testament was written about him. He established their true purpose and intent in his teaching and accomplished them in his obedient life.
He Did It in Four Primary Functions
- As God’s Obedient Son — Jesus is the promised Son of God who would live in complete obedience to His father’s will. Where Adam and Israel failed in the Old Testament, Jesus succeeded (Romans 5:12-21).
- As God’s Undefiled Priest — Jesus is the great high priest of God’s people. He is the one who offered the perfect sacrifice to satisfy God’s judgment on sin. He offered himself. He also serves to intercede for his people before the throne of God. Where all the previous priests and sacrifices were defiled, Jesus was not (Hebrews 8; 10:1-17).
- As God’s Infallible Prophet — Jesus clearly reveals God to his people. He makes God’s will known to us (Hebrews 1:1-4). Where God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament, he spoke directly in Jesus (John 1:17-18).
- As God’s Conquering King — Jesus is the perfect king. He is the conquering king. Where the Old Testament kings of Israel failed to subdue God’s people and conquer their enemies, Jesus succeeded. He rules over his people benevolently, and he has conquered all his and our enemies (1 Corinthians 15)
This Matters Because…
Jesus and His Gospel are the center of the Bible. Everything in the Bible points to Him. Then….
- The Old Testament prepares us to receive him. The Gospels tell us his story. Acts and the Epistles tell us about the Christian life and church life based upon who Jesus is, what he has done, and what he continues to do. And, the Revelation of John points us to Jesus’ return and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
- All aspects of our thinking and living must be filtered through the lens of Jesus and his Gospel. This includes the way we think about ourselves, our church commitment, our family lives, our careers, our finances, our education, our dreams, etc.
- Our reading of the Bible must be informed by the reality of Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The following five questions are helpful to ask when reading the Bible.
- How does this passage reveal God to me?
- How does this passage give me Jesus?
- How does this passage invite me to come to Jesus in faith?
- How does this passage allow me to experience life with Jesus?
- How does this passage call me to follow Jesus? Follow in faith? Follow in repentance? Follow in good works?
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