Transcript
Walking the Old Paths, Episode 7 transcript
Welcome to the Walking the Old Paths podcast. I’m JP, your host on this journey through the Bible. Each week we embark on a systematic study of the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. On this week’s episode, we’ll be discussing the grand theme of the Bible through the Christocentric principle.
Welcome back, everyone to Walking the Old Paths. We are almost ready to start our journey through the Bible. Just one last principle we have to talk about. So far, we have been gathering up our gear over these last six weeks preparing for our journey.
Now, just as a backpacker needs proper equipment and gear to safely traverse the backcountry, we too need proper gear to navigate the old paths of Scripture that we may be found approved unto God and not ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. It’s going to be a long journey together but each step we take will bring spiritual blessing, both in this life and in the one to come.
Before we get to our last principle, I want to tell you a story of two men who, one on one very important day, were walking from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. Now it begins and Doctor Luke’s Gospel in chapter 24 and verse 13, and I read, “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.” [Luke 24:13-14]
Now what are they referring to? They’re referring to what had just happened to Jesus in his trial and his crucifixion and his burial, and then his resurrection. “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.” Now notice this.
“But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast” thou “not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen” the “vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.” [Luke 24:15-24]
So Jesus was crucified. He was buried and three days later he rose again from the dead. And the women had come there to the tomb to anoint his body. And they found it opened. And they saw an angel that gave them this, testimony that he was not there, that he is alive. And the disciples were astonished at this.
They didn’t know what to make of it. They were expecting Jesus to be the one who would reign in David’s place and set up that earthly kingdom that we have talked about in the past, in the dispensation of the millennial reign.
And I continue here: “Then he said unto them,” Jesus speaking here: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” And now notice: “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” [Luke 24:25-32]
So far we have been learning about how to properly interpret the Bible and how to apply Bible study. But today I want you to see the grand theme of the scriptures: the Lord Jesus Christ.
As those two disciples were taking that seven and a half mile trip from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they encountered the risen Lord, but it was kept from them who it was that walked and talked with them. And as they walked, the Lord opened up the scriptures to them, beginning in Genesis and Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and then all the prophets, the Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi.
And he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. My, how that trip must have seemed to go so fast as they listened intently to the Messiah, giving the greatest exhortation on Christology that has ever been given. The Living Word, speaking and explaining the written word to weary, hungry souls whose hearts burned within them as the scriptures were open to them as never before.
That is what the scriptures will do to you, friend. As you see, the great central figure of the Bible come to light in every book of the Bible, everything centers in Christ. There is no purpose or plan that does not find its ultimate fulfillment in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the Christocentric principle. Now, there are five ways that we see the centrality of Christ in the Bible.
The first one is that the Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. In the New Testament we are told Jesus is the image of God and Hebrews 1:3: “ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” [Hebrews 1:3]
And Colossians 1:15 tells us, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”.
In John we see Jesus is the word who created all things. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,” and noticed this, “and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” [John 1:1-4]
And in verse 14 of that first chapter it says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14]
And in Colossians we see Christ as both creator and sustainer of all things. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” [Colossians 1:16-17]
The second thing we see here is that all angelic thought and ministry is centered in Jesus. In Isaiah we see angels worship him: “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” [Isaiah 6:1-3]
And in revelation we see nearly the same vision that Isaiah had. Revelation 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” [Revelation 4:8]
Now at the birth of Christ, we see that angels call to worship him. “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” [Hebrews 1:6]
In Doctor Luke’s Gospel, we see angels announces birth in Luke chapter one. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and” He “shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” [Luke 1:30-33]
After the temptation in the wilderness, we see that angels came and ministered unto him. “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” [Matthew 4:11]
In Matthew we see when Christ returns, he will be surrounded by angels. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:” [Matthew 25:31]
In first Peter we see angels are subject unto him: “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” [1 Peter 3:22]
The third thing we see is all of Satan’s wrath and hatred are centered at Christ. We have already seen in a past previous lesson here the prophecy concerning Satan and Christ at the beginning in Genesis. Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
All through the Old Testament we see Satan attempting to prevent the coming one who would bruise his head. This conflict of the ages between Satan and God is pictured in revelation chapter 12. The woman we see is Israel. The child is Christ and the dragon is Satan.
And I read in revelation chapter 12, verses one through five, “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” [Revelation 12:1-5]
Number four we see all hope of mankind for salvation is centered in Christ. John 3:16, we see the gospel message in one single verse: “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16]
Friend, that whosoever includes you and me, whosoever shall believe in him will not perish in hell but have everlasting life.
When my kids were small, I would teach them this verse, but I would put in their names. I would say, For God so loved Daniel that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus that who, that if Daniel would believe on Jesus, he would not perish in hell but would have everlasting life in heaven.
Insert your name there, friend. Make it personal. John 5:24 Jesus tells us, if we hear his word and believe on him, we will have everlasting life: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” [John 5:24]
Friend, do you hear God’s Word? Do you hear the words of Jesus calling to you? Believe on me and be saved. All the ends of the earth. If you believe on him, he says, you will have everlasting life. You will not come into condemnation, but you will pass in that moment from death unto life.
John 6:40 Jesus tells us that it is the will of God for us to believe on Christ, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:40]
That is God’s will for you, friend, that you would believe on him, that you would have everlasting life. Don’t reject that. Accept him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
John 14:1-3, Jesus tells us, do not be troubled, but believe in him. He says, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” [John 14:1-3]
Do you know, friend, that Jesus is coming again to receive you unto him, that where he is you will be also?
John 17:3, Jesus tells us what is eternal life. He says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3]
What is life eternal? It’s to know God. It’s to know Jesus Christ. How do we know God? Friends? It’s through his word.
John 17:23 Jesus tells us that the father loves us as he loves the son: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:23]
Jesus says that he is in us, and we are in him. And as the father has loved him, he will love us as well. That is the promises of Christ. They can be trusted friend. He is truth. He is the way. He is the life.
Number five the entire Word of God is centered in Christ, the living Word is the embodiment of the written word.
Revelation 19, verses 11 to 13 we read, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” [Revelation 19:11-13]
It was said during the Roman Empire that all roads lead to Rome. Well, in every book in the Bible we have a road that leads to Christ. He is the central grand theme of every page of Scripture. May we see Christ as we study the scriptures. And as we walk the old paths, may we always find our way to him who is holy, holy, holy, this thrice holy God.
There might be some asking why we are going to start in Genesis and move our way all through the Old Testament before we get to the New. Well, friend, the Old Testament is the bedrock. It is the foundation upon which the Bible stands.
We need to see the whole picture that God has painted for us, so that when we get to the New Testament, we will understand the direction that God has taken us in his plan for mankind. But don’t be discouraged by that. Christ is everywhere in the Bible. He can be found all throughout the Old Testament.
Now you might be asking, but JP, where is Jesus in the Old Testament? I don’t see him there. Let me show you, friend, how every book of the Bible points us to Christ in one way or another.
In Genesis we see him as the creator, as the seed of the woman. In Exodus, He is the Passover lamb. In Leviticus we see him in the offerings, and as our high priest. In Numbers, we see Christ as a star out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel.
In Deuteronomy he is the prophet like unto Moses. In Joshua, he is the captain of the Lord’s host, In Judges, he is the deliverer of his people. In Ruth he is the kinsman redeemer. In Samuel he is the ark and the rejected king that was brought at last to the throne. In kings and in Chronicles He is the Lord of heaven and earth.
In Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther he is the sovereign God and covenant keeper to Israel. In Job he is our risen and returning Redeemer.
In Psalms he is many things. He is the blessed man of [chapter] one. He is the Son of God of chapter two. He is the Son of Man of chapter eight. He is the crucified one of chapter 22. The Shepherd of 23. The King of Glory of 24 and the righteous Judge of chapter 72. In almost every Psalm there is a prophetic overtone, many of which are plainly messianic.
In Proverbs he is our wisdom. In Ecclesiastes he is the forgotten wise man. In Song of Solomon he is my beloved.
In Isaiah he is the lamb brought to the slaughter. The one who treads the winepress in chapter 63. In Jeremiah he is the Lord our righteousness. In Lamentations he is the man of sorrows. In Ezekiel he is the one who sits on the throne. In Daniel he is the stone cut out without hands. In Hosea, he is the loving God toward his covenant people.
In Joel, he is the calling God that satisfies his people with blessing. In Amos, he is the rescuer of Israel. In Obadiah, he is the deliverer upon Mount Zion. In Jonah he is prefigured in his death, burial, and resurrection. In Micah, he is the everlasting God. In Nahum he is our stronghold in the day of trouble. In Habakkuk he is the Holy One of Israel, whose glory covers the heavens.
In Zephaniah he is the joy and restoration of Israel. In Haggai he is the Lord of hosts that shakes the nations. In Zechariah he is the branch, the headstone, and the coming king. In Malachi he is the son of righteousness.
In Matthew he is the King of the Jews. In Mark he is the servant of Jehovah. In Luke he is the perfect son of man.
In John he is the Son of God. In Acts he is the ascended Lord. In Romans he is our righteousness. In First Corinthians he is the first fruits among the dead. In Second Corinthians he is made sin for us. In Galatians he is the end of the law. In Ephesians he is our armor. In Philippians he is the supplier of all our need.
In Colossians, he is the creator sustainer of all things. The head of the church and the preeminent one. In First Thessalonians he is our returning Lord. In Second Thessalonians he is the returning judge of the world. In First Timothy, he is the mediator between God and man. In Second Timothy he is the judge of the quick and the dead.
In Titus he is the great God and Savior. In Philemon he is the God of the lowly and a restorer of brothers in Christ. In Hebrews he is the great antitype greater than all. In James he is the Lord of Sabaoth. In First Peter he is the shepherd and bishop of our souls. In Second Peter he is the long suffering Savior.
In First John he is the word of life. In Second John, he is the God who dwells in us and forever. And in Third John, he is the truth in us. In Jude he is the only wise God, our Savior, in glory, majesty, dominion, and power. And finally, in Revelation, he is the faithful and true, the Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Friend, have you seen Christ now in every book of the Bible? He is there. You just need to look and see.
Well, friends, that wraps up our studies on the principles of interpretation that we are taking with us on on our journey. Next week we will be taking an overview of the Book of Genesis before we take our next steps out on the pages of Scripture.
The Book of Genesis is one of the most important books of the Bible, if not the most important. It is foundational to understanding the rest of Scripture. I hope to see you next week. Until then, get in the Word of God. Make sure to go to your church Sunday. Support your pastor. Tell someone about Christ. Pray for this podcast to go forth, and that utterance might be given me that I may open my mouth boldly.
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. Amen.