Read for this week's study: Luke 24:27,44; Isa. 7:14; Isa. 9:6,7; Ps. 2:1-12
Memory text: Luke 24:27
Key thought:
Because all Scripture focuses on Christ, all Bible teaching is best understood in the light of the cross.
His crucifixion shattered the hopes of His disciples. In the afternoon of His resurrection day, two of His followers walked the seven miles from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus (Luke 24:13). Jesus demonstrated that His ministry is the central theme of the Old Testament (Luke 24:27).
Later in the evening, Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles (Luke 24:36). Again He explained that every section of the Hebre3w Scriptures points to His life and ministry. The Law of Moses (Luke 24:27) is the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses. The prophets are the four "former" Prophets (Joshua, Judges, (1and2) Samuel, and (1 and 2) Kings) and the four "latter" prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets considered as one book). The Psalms, or Writings, include the remaining 11 books, of which the book of Psalms was regarded as the first. (see SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1 p. 37)
Christ in all the Scriptures is the theme of this lesson.
What passages from the writings of Moses may Jesus have referred to as He taught the two disciples on the way to Emmaus? Study the Christ-centered significance of the following passages:
Genesis 3:15 is the first gospel text. Even that first reference to Christ speaks of His death. Christ is the true "seed " of the "woman" (Gal. 3:16,17). His death provided a mortal wound to Satan and his pretensions (John 12:31; 1 John 3:8).
"As soon as there was sin, there was a Saviour. Christ knew that He would have to suffer, yet He became man's substitute."- Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1084.
Before Israel left Egypt, God initiated the Passover service. The blood of the slain lamb was placed on doorposts and lintels (Exod. 12:5-14) as a type of the blood of Christ (1Corin. 5:7).
The bronze snake (Num. 21:4-9), held up on a pole to which dying Israelites were to look, symbolized Christ as our sin-bearer on Calvary. He took our place. He became sin for us (2 Corin. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).
Balaam's prophecy regarding a "star" that would "come forth out of Jacob" (Num. 24:17, RSV) forshadowed the birth of the Messiah (Matt. 2:2).
Christ met all the conditions of Moses' prophecy regarding "a prophet" like himself (Deut 18:15; compare John 6:14; 7:40). Moses was a type of Christ.
In the light of the Messianic prophecies in the five books of Moses what impression do you think Jesus words had on the two disciples who were walking to Emmaus? What impressions do the New Testament applications of Moses' predictions have on you? What relationship do you see between Revelation 13:8 and the prophecies in the Pentateuch?
What references from the prophets do you think Jesus could have used during the walk to Emmaus?
Sometimes reffered to as "the gospel prophet," Isaiah provided many inspired forecasts of the Messsiah's ministry and sacrificed death . Isaiah foresaw the miraculous birth of "Immanuel, God with us." Messiah would be the Deity (Isa. 9:6; compare John 14:8-11) and that He would occupy David's throne for eternity (Isa. 9:7; compare Luke 1:32,33). Filled with the Spirit the Messiah would perform a loving ministry of releasing sin-bound people from Satan's dominion (Isa. 42:1-7; compare Matt. 12:18-21). Isaiah forecast the Messiah's sacrifice for all human sin (Isa. 50:5,6; 52:13-53:12; compare the Gospels' accounts of Jesus' trial and death).
Study the following passages that also speak of the Messiah's ministry and death. Find applications of these passages in the New Testament:
Jesus directed attention to the Old Testament as a witness to Himself. He said, "These are the Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39, NIV). Peter reiterated the same point (1 Peter 1:11).
The third section of the Hebrew Bible (Old testament) to which Jesus referred (Luke 24:44) was called the Writings (kethubim). Since the book of Psalms was the first book of the Writings, the whole section was often called the Psalms. The book of Daniel was included in this section of the Hebrew Bible.
What passages from the Psalms may Jesus have used during the walk to Emmaus? Notice the New Testament application of the following passages:
The Bible study Jesus gave the two disciples on the way to Emmaus must have been very comprehensive.. "He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27, RSV). They didn't complain that Jesus used too many texts! They testified, "'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?'" (verse 32). Undoubtedly He referred to Daniel 9:24-27, which predicted the dates of the Messiah's baptism and crucifixion.
It was easy for Jesus to expound the Scriptures in this way. He had inspired the Old Testament prophets to write their messages, and He had led His people for centuries. " All the communication between heaven and the fallen race has been through Christ. It was the SOn of God that gave to our first parents the promise of redemption. It was He who revealed Himself to the patriarchs. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses understood the gospel. They looked for salvation through man's Substitute and Surety. These holy men of old held communion with the Saviour who was to come to our world in human flesh; and some of them talked with Christ and heavenly angels face to face." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 366.
How privileged we are to have New Testament interpretations of the Old Testament messages. The Holy Spirit revealed to New Testament prophets the Christ-centered significance of Old Testament passages.
Have you found Christ in the Old Testament as well as in the New? As you have listened to Christ speak to you in His Word, how has your life been enriched?
How does Scripture compare Christ with the prophets? Heb. 1:1,2.
"In these last days (The gospel age) he has spoken to us by his Son" (Heb. 1:2, NIV)> The teachings of Christ were circulated orally for some years after His resurrection. then the writings of the New Testament prophets (The apostles ) began to appear. Every one of these writings contains messages "spoken to us by his Son." The Gospels record the life and teachings of Jesus. The epistles reiterate His teachings, the messages He gave while on earth, and the same basic message that was given in Old Testament times.
"His sayings were to the disciples as a new revelation.... He was but unfolding the old truths, long obscured... He appealed to the Old Testament Scriptures, laying open in a clear light the spiritual bearings of truths that had become obscured through tradition and misinterpretation." -Signs of the Times, Feb.29,1892,p.3
How is Christ depicted in the book of Revelation?
The whole book of revelation is Christ's testimony about Himself. He is the heavenly High Priest, who, having won victory over sin and death, is able to impart light, strength, and deliverance toHis struggling people. He is the victorioous Lamb before the throne, the representative of humanity, and the world's Saviour. he is also the Deity who opens the records of the future. He is the coming King, who translates His believing followers to the heavenly kingdom and destroys those who have identified themselves with sin.
As you study the New Testament, what do you see mainly-a set of theological propositions or a Saviour from sin? Why is it important that all our doctrinal understandings be shaped by our realization of their Chirst-centered significance?
What is the central focus of the New Testament? Acts 4:8-12; 5:28-42.
The records of Christs's death and resurrection occupy between a quarter and a third of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and half of John. These events constituted the heart of apostolic preaching. Christ's death and resurrection made salvation available to all humanity. They made possible His intercessory ministry in heaven, His pre-advent judgment ministry, and the eternal reward to be bestowed upon the faithful at His return.
What was the central focus of Paul's teaching? 1 Cor. 1:23;2:2;15:1-5; Gal. 3:1.
After the brilliant young rabbi had found the Saviour, every Scriptural truth took on new meaning. Paul now saw the Old Testament sanctuary services as foreshadowing the sacrificial, mediatorial, and judgment ministries of Jesus Christ. He saw salvation as God's gift, not the believer's achievement. He realized that sinful human beings can have the present assurance of salvation in Christ because of His grace, counted and bestowed. He saw works of obedience to God's law as flowing from hearts in tune with the Saviour, who bore the penalty for their sin. Paul looked forward longingly to the consummation of all the believer's hopes when Jesus will come the second time.
"The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary."-Gospel Workers,p.315.
What is Christ's central role now that He has borne the penalty for sin? John 12:32
Since every biblical truth must be studied in the light of the cross, the most important focus in every sermon and Bible study should be Christ and His saving work. As we study some ofhte landmark truths of the Christian faith this quarter, we will discover Christ at the center of every message.
Read John 19:1-42 and "Calvary" in The Desire of Ages,pp.741-757.
Allow your mind to grasp the glorious fact that Jesus died for you because He loves you-not because you are good, but because He is good. He treats you, not as you deserve, but according to your need. Is ther any greater good news than this? Is not this the very heart of the gospel?
Because we have the "everlasting gospel" to take to the world (Rev.14:6), our mission is to lift up Christ and Him crucified:
"Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ ascended into the heavens, Christ coming again, should so soften, gladden, and fill the mind of the minister that he will present these truths to the people in love and deep earnestness. the minister will tehn be lost sight of, and Jesus will be made manifest. Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people,lift Him up in sermon, in song, in prayer. Let all your powers be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, lost, to 'the Lamb of God." Lift Him up, the risen Saviour, and say to all who hear, Come to Him who 'hath loved us, and hath given himself for us.' Let the science of salvation be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song. Let it be poured forth in every supplication. Bring nothing into your preaching to supplement Christ, the wisdom and power of God." Evangelism,p.185.
This entreaty is for every believer; all are ministers, or witnesses, for Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SUMMARY: Christ is the center of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. All Bible truth finds its center in the One who is "the truth" (John 14:6). Just as spokes in a wheel meet in the hub, so the Bible teachings we study this quarter find their center in Christ. These doctrines tell us something about Jesus and draw us into closer union with Him. Every Bible truth reveals a facet of Christ's character. As we take our stand at Calvary, the Cross will open before our wondering gaze the deeper meaning of redemption through Christ.
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