SDA Sabbath School Lessons
Tuesday July 2, 1996


Christ in the Psalms, the writings
(ps. 2:1-12)

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?