More of Jesus in 2010

Looking back over 2009, one thing that I have been made aware of in increasing measure is the presence and prevalence of Jesus in the Old Testament. The often-quoted verse along a Jesus-centered view of the whole council of God’s Word is found in Luke 24:27:

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

If Jesus did this, then it is good enough for those that follow Him. One way that we can see Jesus in the Bible is to see the Gospel in a particular passage. The Gospel is not about us, it is about the Savior (Mark 1:1 – “the gospel of Jesus.”).

Let’s look at the book of Philemon. For the sake of understanding the context, the introduction in my Bible has this to say: “Onesimus was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colossae. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled. At some time while Paul was under arrest, Onesimus met him and became a Christian.”

After Onesimus becomes a Christian, Paul makes a plea to Philemon to receive Onesimus back, “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother…” (verse 16). In verse 17-18, Paul writes:

“So, if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.”

If Paul is making this plea on behalf of Onesimus, then Paul would be his advocate. He is advocating that the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon be restored and for reconciliation to happen. Paul is desiring for this to happen so strongly that he is wiling to financially pay for any damage that Onesimus caused.

In 1 John 2:1, it says: “…But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Just as Paul made his plea, Jesus made a plea with the Father. Jesus desired to restore the relationship between the creation and the Creator. He wanted this to happen so strongly that He laid His own life down:

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Jesus’ plea may have gone like this: “Father, if you consider me, your Son, as one with you, receive them as you would receive me. If anyone has sinned against you, then I want to pay for it with my own blood.”

By going to the cross, Jesus has “cancelled” that which “stood against us” with God (Col. 2:14). No longer are we slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. Even though Paul calls Himself a slave (Titus 1:1 – translated “servant” or “bondservant”), God does not treat us as an earthly slave driver would, but more like a loving Father, a God we want to serve and lay down our lives for.

You are probably thinking: “What does this have to do with the Old Testament?” In the manner that we saw the Gospel in the book of Philemon, do the same in the Old Testament. Look at animal that was killed to cover up the shame of Adam and Eve and think of the Lamb of God. Look at the rock that Moses hit that provided water and think of the Rock that was crushed for our sake and provides Living Water. Those two examples were from Genesis and Exodus, the Old Testament.

God did not intend us to look at the covering at Adam and Eve and think about 10 ways on how to dress fashionably for 2010. Nor did he intend for us to look at Moses’ rock and analyze how he must of hit it in order to bring water. All the Scriptures are given to reveal to us who the Lord is and to worship Him for who He is.

So far, we have been discussing how to look at the Bible with new eyes, but you may be asking “I need something more practical.” Not only should we look at God’s Word with new eyes, but life now with new eyes. Imagine someone we are talking with starts to talk about how his father, who just passed and how he has been a great example to him by showing patience and compassion to his wife, who can be really difficult at times. As a follower of Christ, that should trigger the Gospel in our minds, just as the book of Philemon should trigger the Gospel. “That reminds me and how Jesus is faithful when we are unfaithful” and then share Jesus’ compassion and unconditional love through the cross and resurrection.

For 2010, I encourage you to really get to know Jesus and His Gospel to the point that you will be able to see Him in the all Scriptures and in life’s daily grind. Pray that God will open your minds to the Scriptures and for opportunities to proclaim how awesome He is.