Knowable Word

Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible

Copyright © 2012–2024 DiscipleMakers, except guest articles (copyright author). Used by permission.

You are here: Home / Archives for Jesus Focus

How to See Jesus in Any Bible Passage

By

Jesus is the main point of the entire Bible.  He said so himself (John 5:39, Luke 24:44-48).  Philip saw it (John 1:45).  Peter recognized it (1 Pet 1:10-12).  Paul knew it (2 Cor 1:20).

Do you?

Now, in seminary I was told that we have to be very careful here.  Apparently, some ancient Christian interpreters thought they saw Jesus in every detail of the Old Testament.  So Rahab’s red cord (Josh 2:18) was treated as a prophecy of the flowing blood of Christ that would save her and her family.  Or, Abraham’s servant’s 10 camels (Gen 24:10) were understood as the 10 commandments which would be fulfilled in Christ.

Not every passage of the Old Testament is a direct prediction of the life or death of Jesus Christ.  Some passages tell stories of what happened long before Jesus’ birth.  Other passages contain songs or prayers or rebukes or instruction.

So what did Jesus mean when he said that all the Scriptures were about him?

Luke 24:46-47 provides a helpful template.  Every passage of Scripture reveals Jesus by explaining at least one of the following truths:

  1. The Messiah would suffer (die).
  2. The Messiah would rise from the dead.
  3. We must repent of our sin and be forgiven.
  4. This message (that the Messiah’s death and resurrection make forgiveness possible) must be preached to all nations.

Here’s the key point: we must first understand the main point of an Old Testament passage before we can connect it to Jesus.

We shouldn’t look for Jesus in every detail.  Jesus isn’t necessarily in every detail.  But his message is there.  The message of the whole Bible is a unified message that boils down to those 4 points from Luke 24:46-47.

For example, the call of Abram in Genesis 12:1-9 is about how God chose one man to be the focal point of blessing the whole world.  What’s the connection to Jesus?  His message is for every nation.

Here’s another example: when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son (Gen 22), he was showing Abraham (and us) how the Messiah had to die and rise from the dead.

When innocent Daniel was tossed into the lion’s den and came out unharmed (Daniel 6), he demonstrated the Messiah’s death and resurrection.

When Moses and Solomon wrote Laws and Proverbs, God was showing us how high his standards really are.  He had to expose our inability to perform so we might learn to repent of our sin and be forgiven.

Please try this at home.  When you read the Bible (especially the Old Testament), always ask which of Jesus’ 4 points is being addressed.  Decent interpretation depends upon it.

Listen to Wisdom

By

It’s critical for us to understand that wisdom is readily available, and we have only to listen.  Wisdom already took initiative with us and came to us, not in a set of ideas, but in a person.  Our duty is not to get everything just right and be perfect, but rather to set our hope in the one who got everything just right and was perfect for us.  Jesus gave up everything and became nothing for us, so that we who deserve nothing might gain everything in Him.

Jesus our Wisdom offers us a choice between self-destruction and security:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Mat 7:24-27, ESV)

All we have to do is hear, and then do, what He says.  The main thing he has said is that we can trust him.  He has made himself available.  Will you listen to him despite your love of being simple?  Just do nothing, and you’ll ruin everything.

Listen to Instruction, Part 2

By

Yesterday, we saw how important it is to listen to instruction.

A good friend of mine modeled well such confident and humble leadership when he asked his six-year old son for suggestions on how he could be a better father.  The boy’s first response was, “You’re a great Dad; I don’t think you could be better.”  But later in the day, after some difficult interactions between the father and another sibling, the boy came back and said, “Dad, one way you could be a better Dad is to not get angry when we make mistakes or disobey.”  My point here is not that parents should do whatever their children want them to do, but that, in a context of confident and humble authority delegated by God, a leader need not be insecure about wise feedback, even from those he leads.

Jesus himself told us that Solomon’s wise advice was not the ultimate instruction for us to heed.  Solomon was a picture of the Savior to come, the man who was God and who spoke only God’s own words.  In answer to those who wanted Jesus to prove himself to them, he said, “The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here” (Matt 12:42).  Jesus, as God’s ultimate representative (Heb 1:1-4),repeatedly reminded people, “Truly, truly, I say to you….”  As God in flesh, Jesus had no need to speak tentatively.  In fact, one title for Jesus is the Word (John 1:1).  Our objective in studying Proverbs is not just to listen to Solomon but, far more importantly, to make sure we are listening to Jesus.

Our default is to listen to anything but the Lord Jesus.  Our own hearts whisper sweet promises of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction in anything other than the righteousness of Jesus.  The world gives apparent credibility to these promises, offering us easy money, easy sex, and whatever else will make us truly happy.  The devil prowls about seeking to destroy us, exploiting opportunities to showcase these lies and to hide the reality of their vicious consequences from us.

Thus Solomon comes back to it again and again: “Hear…listen…pay attention.”  The second step on the path of wisdom is really the same as the first.  We just have to keep taking it over and over again.

The Fear of the Lord, Part 2

By

Yesterday, we saw that the fear of the Lord in Proverbs 1:7 means resting in God and trusting that he alone is wise.

We have here an example of the Good News being preached long before Jesus actually came on the scene.  Solomon communicates that the most important thing to know about becoming wise, indeed the first step on the path of wisdom, is to acknowledge that you are not wise.  Only the most courageous people can do such a thing.  They must have nothing to prove, nothing to defend, and nothing to justify.  They don’t make excuses or blame others for their own faults.  They’re not touchy when conflicts arise or when relationships become awkward.  These people find their security not in their own righteousness, but in the righteousness of another who died so they could have life.

Some wiseacre once quipped that Christianity is just a crutch for weak people.  Others accurately responded that Christianity is actually more like a stretcher for dead people.  Christians know they need all the help they can get.  We’re dead meat if Jesus doesn’t rescue us.  This teaching is not unique to Solomon, but is inscribed on every page of the New Testament as well.  For one example, see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31:

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (ESV).

If we are believers in Jesus and destined for eternal life and glory, it is not because we had something to offer God.  Rather, God called and chose us because he couldn’t find any bigger fools than us!  He gets more glory for having drafted us into his service, and we get wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  This is Good News.

When we hope in Jesus’ goodness, and not our own, we have taken the first step on the path of wisdom.  Without this step, it is impossible to be wise.  Therefore, if wisdom is a continual striving to know and do what the Bible says, the first step is to recognize that we aren’t doing it!  In fact, we simply can’t do it.  We need Jesus to do it for us.

Why OIA is the Best Bible Study Method

By

A few days ago, I outlined the OIA method of Bible study that we follow.  In short, it stands for Observation, Interpreation, and Application.

I’ve already made one audacious claim: that everyone has a Bible study method.  Today I’d like to make another: that OIA is the best method one can use to study the Bible.  Let me support this claim with three reasons.

1.  It works for any person anywhere of any age

It can be taught to PhDs and other “professionals” and get quite complex and profound.  It can be taught to 3 year olds just learning to talk.  Anyone in between can use this method to great profit, understanding the main ideas of what God has communicated and becoming more like Christ as a result.

2.  It’s the way God designed all communication to work

OIA is nothing new or innovative.  It is simply an attempt to outline the steps by which any human being communicates with another human being (observing what was communicated, interpreting the meaning, and responding appropriately).  God made communication to work this way, so of course the Bible works the same way.

Let me illustrate.  If I met you on the street, you might observe me walk up to you, smile, and stick out my hand.  You would interpret that I mean you no harm and simply want to greet you.  You would apply the gesture by reaching out your own hand, taking my hand with yours, and saying “hello” or some similar sentiment.  Communication has now taken place.

Let’s say I ask you a question.  You might observe the raised inflection at the end of my sentence (the question mark), a resultant silence, and raised eyebrows on my face.  You would interpret these signs to mean that I want you to answer the question.  You would apply the interaction by answering the question, frowning in thought, holding up a finger to request more time, or running away in terror.

We simply cannot escape OIA.  We do it all the time.  We should employ it when we study God’s Knowable Word.

3.  It’s how Jesus interpreted the Bible

Jesus is the Lord (Phil 2:11) and the author of Scripture (1 Peter 1:11).  We should learn from him how to read Scripture.

Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example.  Notice how Jesus observes the Old Testament text in verse 42, interprets it in verse 44, and applies it in verse 43 (implying that his listeners should believe the truth and make some changes in their lives).

Jesus often references Scripture, giving us a window into his understanding of it, but he rarely is as clear as in Matt 21:42-44.  Usually, he assumes or implies the Interpretation, and states the Observation and Application explicitly (for example, see Matt 13:10-17 or Mark 12:35-37).  One place where he Observes and Interprets but doesn’t explicitly Apply is Luke 4:17-21.

In suggesting that OIA is the best method to use, I’m not saying that there’s an easy one-size-fits-all way of plugging every text through an equation.  I’m merely saying that we have a valuable and clear way by which we can understand what God is communicating in his Word.  Our study of the Bible is not arbitrary.

Why We Study the Bible

By

Why should we study the Bible?  Couldn’t we just listen to God’s voice inside us?  Even if we ought to use the Bible, shouldn’t we just read it, expecting the meaning to become apparent?  Doesn’t all this “Bible study” stuff get in the way, slow us down, quench the Spirit?

Let me give some reasons why it’s important that we learn how to study the Bible:

1.  Knowing Jesus is eternal life

Jesus said it himself in John 17:3.  He wants what’s best for us, and what’s best for us is for us to know him.  He prayed accordingly the night before he was killed.

2.  The whole Bible is about Jesus

Jesus said it in Luke 24:44-47.  Phillip realized it early on (John 1:45).  Peter declared it much later (1 Peter 1:10-11).

3.  The Bible was written that we might know Jesus and have eternal life

Romans 15:4, John 20:30-31, 1 Peter 1:11-12, Rev 1:1.  It’s an old book, but it was written with you and me in mind!  It wasn’t written to us, but it was written for us.

4.  God thinks it’s noble when we examine the Bible to know Jesus better

Paul explained the main point of the Bible in Acts 17:3.  Some Thessalonians rejected this message (Acts 17:6-7), but the Bereans eagerly searched it out in the text of the Bible (Acts 17:10-11).

5.  It takes hard work to understand the Bible

Some parts are hard to understand, and those who are untaught or unstable will distort them (2 Peter 3:16).  We must be taught well and given a stable foundation if we are to understand the Bible and know Jesus.  Granted, many parts of the Bible are abundantly clear (John 14:6, Acts 4:11-12), yet they, too, are commonly twisted.

6.  We need God’s Spirit to understand the Bible

Our sin and rebellion against God infects everything about us, even our thinking.  No amount of hard work and no foolproof method will guarantee that we interpret the Bible rightly.  Countless universities have courses taught by learned professionals who miss the whole point (see #1-3 above).

But when we trust in the Jesus revealed in the Bible, we receive God’s Spirit, who helps us to know Jesus better (1 Cor 2:6-16).  Those who believe have access to the very mind of Christ because they have his Spirit.

On this blog, we want to help you know Jesus.  We do that by helping you learn to study the Bible.  Let’s keep working to master the methods, but above all, let’s keep our focus on Jesus as we do so.

Intro to the Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 4

By

In Parts two and three of this Intro to the Wisdom of Proverbs, we dealt with common contemporary counterfeits to wisdom.  What is the whole truth?  How does one actually become wise?  Go back and re-read Proverbs 9:1-6, 13-18 and see that the answer is this: you become wise by dining at wisdom’s table.  You simply know the best place to eat!  You’re hungry, and you need some carbs.  You refuse to consume counterfeits; you want the real deal.  Imitation crab meat might help your casserole in a pinch, but who would choose that over an authentic Maryland feast awash in Old Bay seasoning?

What does it mean to dine at wisdom’s table?  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:53-55, ESV).  Jesus is wisdom’s feast.  Trust in him.  Feast on his goodness and mercy.  Ask him for life and wisdom.  Quit gorging yourself on the secret bread of reputation, pleasure, relationships, wealth, or religious activity.

In Proverbs 1 through 9, Wisdom will build her house.  She’ll hew out her pillars.  She’ll cook her meat and mix her wine.  She’ll even set a place for you at the table.  Then she’ll invite you to tuck in and enjoy the feast.  The rest of Proverbs will lie before you ready for consumption.  Even more so, the rest of Scripture will open up for you, a delightful spread of all manner of wonderful things.  But above all, Jesus will become more real to you, his mercy will extend toward you, and his passion for your freedom and glory will captivate you.  All you can do then is start munching.

Next week we’ll begin.

How’d You Do That? (5/3/12)

By

Everybody loves show and tell.  It’s that time in elementary school when you get to show all your friends something that really excites you, and then explain why it’s so exciting.

That’s why some of our blog posts will be given to showing you how to study the Bible, and others will focus on telling you how to do it.  Our hope is that by frequent showing and telling, you will be encouraged to practice these skills in your own study of God’s Knowable Word.

On Thursday, I began a series of posts on the Wisdom of Proverbs.  Even though Thursday’s post was a broad introduction, it still involved some weighty Bible study techniques. So I want to briefly comment on the key principles of Bible study demonstrated there.

1.  Know what the Bible says about the Bible.

We should read the Bible the way God wants us to read it.  Therefore, as we approach any passage of Scripture, we ought to know what the Bible says about the Bible.  On Thursday, I referred to 2 Timothy 3:16, which tells us that every passage of Scripture is useful.  Thus any Bible study we do ought to provide some sort of practical instruction, correction, or training in righteousness.  A Bible study that fails to provide practical help is incomplete.

Also, Jesus himself clearly stated in Luke 24:44-47 that the entire Bible was about Him.  He specifically referenced four components: his death, his resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, and the proclamation of these things to all nations.  So every Bible study ought to lead us to Jesus by illuminating one or more of these four areas.  If we haven’t seen Jesus, we haven’t rightly understood the text.

These two things are not all that the Bible says about the Bible; they’re just the two points I focused on in Thursday’s post.  Please feel free to leave a comment below about other sections of God’s Word that can help us in our study of any passage.

We’ll pick up two more principles tomorrow.