Asking a Christian “why do you read the Bible?” is like asking an athlete why do you eat? God gave us the Bible 4,000 years ago so we could know Him, and that’s the same reason we need it today. Not only is the Bible our oldest book, but our most complete book.
It tells us our story from before the world began! Before the “big bang,” before matter or even light. And you know Who was there? Jesus! Not right from the beginning, but way before the beginning!
How do I know this? The B-I-B-L-E. But the Bible is a huge book, almost 800,000 words, so where to begin is the question. Here are 6 portions of the Bible and what you can learn about Jesus within them:
1. Gospel of John – know Him as the Word and the Lamb of God!
John contains the whole plan of salvation and is often given to new believers to help them know Jesus better. I like it for our purpose because it begins with the same words as the first book of the Bible: In the beginning.
Here, John reveals that the Man known as Jesus in the New Testament lived as the Eternal Word with God and was God and created heaven and earth.
2. Matthew – know Him as Messiah!
This 1st Gospel links the Old Testament with the New. It cites over 100 references to the Old, often verbatim. Matthew uses the name “Jesus” for the first time, explains how it was given to Joseph, and connects Him with the royal line of David into which Jesus was born.
3. Luke – know Him as Teacher!
Here we see “Jesus” given to Mary as well. Luke gives us Jesus' life from His mother’s point of view. He presents His whole teaching ministry, beginning with His parables and ending with His exposition of the Old Testament to the two on the road to Emmaus and instructions to His apostles to use the same method.
4. The Bible Shows Us Jesus as LORD in Moses and the Prophets
This is the method Jesus used to teach His disciples on the road to Emmaus and later as part of their instructions to teach all nations. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27
The only way to do this is to begin in Genesis and go through all 39 books ending with Malachi. We will see Him gradually reveal Himself to His people as the great I AM, Jehovah, Adonai, and more!
5. Epistles – know Him as Christ and High Priest!
Ephesians, Colossians, and Hebrews present what the apostles taught about Jesus, specifically His role in our salvation and sanctification. It is a shorter study than 1-3, but deeper and more theological.
6. Revelation – Alpha & Omega!
Jesus reveals Himself and His role in completing all hat the Bible has promised. He describes His coming again, His role on judgment day, His marriage to the Church, and the establishing of His kingdom in a connected new heaven and earth. Here He shows us the glory prepared for us in Eternity, where we shall be with Him in the mansions He is preparing for us now.
The Bible shows us Jesus from beginning to end, and I encourage you to begin at once. Here we have looked at 6 ways Jesus has revealed Himself to us in this inspired, holy Book. There are many more. John says, “There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25
Reading the Bible on Your Own!
While I hope to provide you with what I’ve learned over the years, nothing beats diving into scripture yourself! I encourage you to look into one of these studies this week and promise you will discover that as you seek Him you will find! Better still, He will find you1
And, if you have any questions on where to begin, ask me a question in the comments below or join the conversation on my FACEBOOK PAGE!
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