One Story, His Story
He (Jesus) said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. –Luke 24:44-45, NIV
One of the greatest losses in much of Christianity is in missing the depth of Scripture. Many see the Old Testament as either irrelevant or something that was a historical place holder to get us to the New Testament and Jesus. This is deeply problematic. It make the Bible into a series of disconnected stories with various and competing morals and points. Moreover, and far more damaging, it makes redemptive history focused on the people in the story rather than God. Was Joshua strong and brave? Maybe but more so he needed to be reminded of God’s command, “Be strong and courageous.” Far more central to his story though, even over and above his leading the people in taking the promised land is how, he (Joshua lit. Yahweh Saves) points to Jesus. Jesus is the One who leads His people in possessing the Promised Land by saving them, be strong and courageous and not letting the book of the law depart from Him. An amazing feature of Luke’s Resurrection account is the attention he gives to this reality. Jesus’ birth, life, death and Resurrection are not redemptive afterthoughts or a surprise ending to God’s work to rescue humanity. They are the central point of God’s plan. The story is really all about Jesus. The videos linked below both go to this idea. True and Better is an animated exploration of just some of the types and shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. The Story is a retelling of redemptive history that leaves off with the question of how you will respond to the invitation of Jesus to enter into God’s story. As such, it is a helpful evangelistic tool. As we are all ‘staying at home’ these days, there are a number of ways you might share this video with lost people you know so as to further a conversation about Jesus.
Application/Discussion:
What is one type or shadow of Jesus in the Old Testament that helps you see Jesus more deeply?
How can you do better in remembering that the Bible is not “a series of disconnected stories”?