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The Scriptures that Speak of Christ. The Scriptures that Speak of Christ. Genesis 1:1 Revelation 21:1-5. Jesus is the Subject of the Bible
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The Scriptures that Speak of Christ Genesis 1:1 Revelation 21:1-5
Jesus is the Subject of the Bible John 5:39: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” We understand Jesus properly if we see Him in the light of the OT story that He completes and brings to climax. The Scriptures that Speak of Christ
Continuity of the Testaments • Consistent content • Establish Israel over the nations • Bring justice to the earth • Gather in and bless the nations (Gentiles) • Consistent pattern • God’s purpose is increasingly revealed • Progressive revelation The Scriptures that Speak of Christ
Jesus: Old Testament Story Christ Exile David Abraham Matthew 1:1-17
The Story Summarized • Creation to Abraham • Proto-evangelium: Gen.1:1-3:15/Gen. 3:15-Rev. 22 • Separation of Godly line and evil line (Gen. 3-11) • Abraham to David • Promise to Abraham: nation/curse/nations • Israel enslaved and delivered (Exodus) • New sense of national identity and purpose (Law) • More details on God’s purposes • Conquest of the land; uneven response (Judges) • Kingship demanded; God incorporates into plan Jesus: Old Testament Story
The Story Summarized • David to Exile • Consolidates Israel in land promised to Abraham • Davidic covenant: David promised a Son with eternal significance (more detail) • Solomon extended Israel’s influence; temple • Kings oppression/idolatry; renewal (prophets sent) • Schism between nations (Israel and Judah) • Both Israel and Judah exiled for disobedience • Reversal of promise: land, monarchy, Gentile rule Jesus: Old Testament Story
The Story Summarized • Exile to Jesus • Miracle Jews survived (God’s redemptive intention) • Prophets gave them hope and expanded understanding of God’s purposes: concept of Messiah • Exile had chastening effect; longing for deliverance • 400 years of silence from Malachi to Jesus Jesus: Old Testament Story
Individual Gentiles invited in Old Testament View of History Israel: Come and See One identity One culture Restore Israel politically Gather the nations into worldwide peace Messiah brings justice Destroy enemies and restore justice Establish Israel Consolidate the nations
The Story Summarized : Matthew’s 17 verses • Creation and the problem • The solutions through Abraham, then David • Exile and discipline of Israel; anticipation for Messiah • God is sovereign in history • God is working through Israel • God has an agenda for the nations • God is about to bring all to conclusion through Jesus Jesus: Old Testament Story
Summary • Biblical wholeness: OT is the backstory (Act 1); NT climax (Act 2) • Jesus was a real Jew and a real human • Jesus is the end of the OT and beginning of NT • God is the same in OT and NT: saved by grace not Law • Jesus personifies Israel’s to continue God’s purposes • No Plan A/plan B • NT Church is in continuity (not displacing) OT Israel • Review Jesus: Old Testament Story
Purpose of the class • Christianity = an identitythat is rooted in God’s purposes; participation in past, present, future work in Christ (who we are, came from, where we are going) • Purposes woven into every sentence of OT • OT: See Jesus’ Story, Promise, Identity, Mission, Values • Our identity/participation provides intimacy with God The Scriptures that Speak of Christ
Israel’s Story Israel’s Promise Israel’s Identity Israel’s Mission Israel’s Values Jesus' Story Jesus' Promise Jesus' Identity Jesus' Mission Jesus' Values The Scriptures that Speak of Christ Derive our personal relationship: meaning, identity, intimacy with God
Israel’s Story Israel’s Promise Israel’s Identity Israel’s Mission Israel’s Values Jesus' Story Jesus' Promise Jesus' Identity Jesus' Mission Jesus' Values The Scriptures that Speak of Christ Derive our personal relationship: meaning, identity, intimacy with God
Israel’s Story Israel’s Promise Israel’s Identity Israel’s Mission Israel’s Values Jesus' Story Jesus' Promise Jesus' Identity Jesus' Mission Jesus' Values The Scriptures that Speak of Christ Derive our personal relationship: meaning, identity, intimacy with God
1. Jesus is the fulfillment of OT story • OT God has revealed the journey: In Jesus, God reveals the journey’s end • Mt. 1-2: Five OT scenes to make sure we don’t miss the point: Jesus is the promise Jesus: Old Testament Promise
1. Jesus is the fulfillment of OT story • Assurance to Joseph (1:18-25) “Fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet”Isaiah 7:14 • Born in Bethlehem (2:1-12) “Written by the prophet” Micah 5:2 • Escape to Egypt and return (2:13-15) “Fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet” Hosea 11:1 • The murders of Herod (2:16-18) “Fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet” Jeremiah 31:15 • Settlement in Nazareth (2:19-23) “What was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled” Jesus: Old Testament Promise
2. Promise-fulfillment, not prediction-fulfillment • Didn’t choose most familiar Messianic predictions • Those chosen don’t make sense as Messianic predictions in original context • Only Micah 5:2 (Bethlehem) traditional prediction • Isaiah-Immanuel prediction not a Messianic prediction (and child named Jesus, not Immanuel) • Hosea-Egypt prediction: Israel as a nation • Jeremiah-Rachel prediction: picture of Israel’s Exile • Nazareth reference has no clear OT reference Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Assurance to Joseph (1:18-25) “Fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet” Isaiah 7:14 • Born in Bethlehem (2:1-12) “Written by the prophet” Micah 5:2 • Escape to Egypt and return (2:13-15) “Fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet” Hosea 11:1 • The murders of Herod (2:16-18) “Fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet” Jeremiah 31:15 • Settlement in Nazareth (2:19-23) “What was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled”
2. Promise-fulfillment, not prediction-fulfillment • Matthew: OT has deeper level of meaning than the grammatical-historical method of literal prediction-fulfillment • Grammatical-historical method is a recent Western analytical approach to Bible interpretation • Popularized in response to Biblical criticism of 1800s • Take the whole and break in parts for analysis • Look for original context of the book or passage • Look for most straight-forward/literal meaning Jesus: Old Testament Promise
2. Promise-fulfillment, not prediction-fulfillment • Not how apostles and prophets read the Bible • The whole Story of Christ as the context, making any/every OT passage fair game • The events of Jesus that shape the meaning of the OT (we read backward through Christ) • Example: Matthew 2:23: “He will be called a Nazarene” • No specific reference in OT • Nazarene =“despised” • Matthew inferred whole host of OT picture and references as fulfillment of promise (prophets) Jesus: Old Testament Promise
3. Jewish emphasis on land (geography) • Abrahamic promise built on geography/land (promised land) • Exodus/conquest complete upon return to land • David’s kingdom borders established • Exile completed based on return to land • Matthew: Messiah in geography • In Jesus, Israel/Messiah’s ministry goes to borders of Abraham’s promise land and David’s kingdom • Born in Bethlehem (land of Abraham’s promise) • Grew in Egypt (like nation, Jesus grew in Egypt) • Raised in Nazareth-Galilee (promise to Gentiles) Jesus: Old Testament Promise
3. Jewish emphasis on land (geography) • Nazareth: Galilee Eastern Gentile land • Is. 9:1-2 and Matt. 4:13:16 “Galilee of the Gentiles...have seen a great light” • Universal scope of ministry to Gentiles • Visit to Egypt in the West • Visit from Magi in the East • Jesus is Israel’s Messiah but for Gentiles as well Jesus: Old Testament Promise
3. Jewish emphasis on land (geography) • Jews: geography always connected to history • History slung like hammock: Egypt and Babylon • Exodus (Egypt) and Exile (Babylon) • Infancy of Jesus is built on foundation of Exodus (Egypt) and Exile (Nazareth/Rachel’s mourning) • What God did for Israel (Exodus and Exile), God would do for Jesus Messiah • Have to get Matthew’s drift about geography • Promise: larger intent of care (forest) • Prediction: grammatical-historical (trees) Jesus: Old Testament Promise
4. Jewish Promise vs. Grammatical-historical Prediction • Promise not prediction • Exodus is God’s response to promise to Abraham • Exile return is God’s response to promise to Israel • Pattern for God’s actions • Promise for a greater purpose • Send away, then liberating from oppression • Return as sign of His faithfulness; promise • All OT writings (not just OT predictions) point to Jesus as keeping the pattern God the Promise-Fulfiller Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • A promise is deeper than a prediction (predict a marriage vs. promising to commit in marriage) • Promise is a commitment to a relationship; prediction requires no relationship • A promise is made from one person to another (I promise to help you with your homework); prediction made about a person (I bet he struggles with his homework) Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • Promise implies on-going levels of fulfillment; prediction has no on-going levels • Promise has a dynamic quality of ebb and flow in relationship; Predictions are either true or not • E.g. marriage vows are step one of promise; next week/month/year/season take on new dynamic situations Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • The relationship with God and Israel is the basis for promise • Started with Abraham • Extended to David • Exhibited in Exile • Fulfilled in Jesus • The predictions of the OT are secondary to the promise of relationshipbetween God and Israel Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • The promise to Israel was for a greater relationship to the Gentile nations • Gospel began with Abraham (Gal. 3:8) “The Scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” • Continued/fulfilled in Christ (Gal. 3:14): “in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • Promise is means of salvation (Gal. 3:29): “If you belong to Christ (Messiah) then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” • Saved by participation in the promise, not the fulfillment of a prediction Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • Promise requires a response • A predication requires no response to God (e.g. Cyrus releasing Jews from exile) • A promise requires cooperation with God • Jews had to take action to return to the land • Abraham had to respond with faith and action for promise to be fulfilled (father of our faith) • Exodus happened because people physically left land Jesus: Old Testament Promise
5. The difference between promise and prediction • OT pattern: God promises; empowers by grace; people respond in faith • Idea that OT=law and NT=grace is misleading • God always offers grace first; asks for response • The means of grace changes • Miracles of Exodus • Law and prophets for OT Israel • Holy Spirit for the Church • Review Jesus: Old Testament Promise
6. The pattern for God’s people • Godly Jews: Law a gift of grace for those saved by grace (e.g. Psalm 19:1-5) • Exodus act of God’s grace that saved Israel • Law came AFTER salvation • Never a way TO salvation, but instruction for saved people • Law was means of receiving the promise of God • Practical value to stay in relationship with God and have orderly society in midst of chaos Jesus: Old Testament Promise
6. The pattern for God’s people • God initiates and the people respond in faith and righteous action • True of Israel then; true of us today (Heb. 10:19-31) • OT is a living book of instruction to us (not just book of predictions made/checked off) Jesus: Old Testament Promise
7. Promise vs. Prediction: An Example • 1895 father promises 5-yr.-old a horse own at 21 • 1916 the son’s birthday comes along • Father keeps the intent of the promise (and more) • Initial promise made in one historical setting • Fulfilled in a different historical setting • Kept commitment even though not literally • God’s relationship to Israel is maintained as a promise • Abraham fulfilled in Isaac - but God had more • Nation of Israel in Exodus • Jesus as seed of Abraham • Church - blessing to all nations Jesus: Old Testament Promise
Jesus: Old Testament Promise Christ Exile David Abraham Pattern of “Promise-fulfillment-fresh promise fulfillment”
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • 8. Jesus: Fullest expression of God’s promise • Perfect fulfillment of partial expressions (types) • Seed of Abraham - and more • Passover Lamb – and more • Son of David – and more • Jews experienced images to appreciate the fulfillment • Child has to appreciate horse before motorcar is appreciated • Israel needed the various images: Abraham, Exodus, David to appreciate Jesus • In Christ all the richness of OT, only better/richer
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • 8. Jesus: Fullest expression of God’s promise (Tabernacle) Promise I am the door (Jn. 10:9) Life as a ransom (Mk. 10:45) Must wash or no part of me (Jn.13:8) Light of the world (Jn. 8:12) Bread of life (Jn. 6:48) I pray for them (Jn. 17:9) Behind the curtain…Jesus (Heb. 6:19) Expiation for sins (1 Jn. 2:2) Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) Part Door/gate Brazen altar Laver Lamps Bread Incense Veil Mercy seat Priest Point One way to God Substitution for atonement Purification for presence Illumination from God Sustenance from God Intercession needed Separation of God/creation Blood needed for atonement God approached via representative Review
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • 9. The Promise Guaranteed (Old Testament Covenants) • High points of the promise: agreements (Covenants) • Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, New Covenant • Pattern • God’s initiative • God’s promises • Human response invited (but not dependent) • Shape of Covenants • Scope (who is directly affected) • Substance (what is involved) • Invitation to respond
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with Noah • Scope: All creation • Substance • God promises not to destroy creation despite human depravity • God promises to maintain the global environment and regularity of nature • There will always be enough resources for the earth to survive • Response: Calls on humanity to respect life and creation
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with Abraham • Scope: All nations • Substance • Posterity: From Abraham a nation for God’s purposes • Relationship: Unique relationship with this people • Land: Geographic space for redemption to occur • Response: • Walk before God/be blameless (compassion/justice) • Pass identity to family (circumcision visible reminder) • God wants the covenant community to emerge
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with Moses/Israel • Scope: National • Law next phase of unfolding promise (not end) • Social-cultural-legal structure to allow God’s holy priesthood relate to the other nations • Teach who God is • Receive people in who want to join • Offering sacrifice to show God’s acceptance • Demarcating Israel from the way of other nations • Missiologicalnature of Law (Abrahamic covenant: “all peoples on earth will be blessed by you”)
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with Moses/Israel • Substance: Filling details what was sketched to Abraham • Redemption of Israel from oppressors • A relationship with, and knowledge of Yahweh • Promised land • Response: • Total fidelity to Yahweh and no other gods • Commitment to the character of Yahweh • Royal Law: Love God/neighbor (compassion, justice) • The Law: temporary guide until the fullness (Gal. 3:24)
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with David • Scope: House of David • Substance: Continuation of the house of David for all time • With monarchy, new aspect of the Promise revealed • Benefitted the whole nation and all the nations • Continued commitment to the Mosaic covenant (law, sacrifices, feasts, festivals) • Demonstrated by Ark to Jerusalem and temple • Not new: extension of relationship with His people • Many Psalms that link the monarchy to the land • Always a missiologicalbasis (nations)
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • Covenant with David • Response: • Same demand for loyalty and obedience to Yahweh • Kingly line, leading the people in obedience • Glimpse of “nation of Israel” morphing into the “King of Israel” as representative of the people (Kings/Chr.) • The King must cooperate with God or God must take other measures to bring about right response (prophets)
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • New Covenant • Background • Despite times of revival, prophets could see that Israel had failed in its commitments • Prophets could see there was little hope in the current system • Prophets began to write about the hope of a new and greater covenant • Not a breaking of the past, but an extension (flowering) of some new inbreaking of God • Longing for God to break in dramatic fashion
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • New Covenant • Scope • National: Hope is for restoration of post-exhilic Israel (see Jer. 34-37; Ez. 37) • David will rule over them • God will be vindicated • Israel will be a light to the Gentile nations • Universal: Nations will witness the restoration of Israel (Isaiah 40-55), so Gentile nations integrated into the covenant
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • New Covenant • Scope • Many references to Abrahamic covenant, Davidic covenant, Mosaic covenant, leading to Israel’s restoration followed by Gentile inclusion • References to “Suffering Servant” to usher renewal • Important to expectations at the time of Jesus • Substance • New relationship to God, like a restored marriage • New experience of forgiveness
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • New Covenant • Scope • Many references to Abrahamic covenant, Davidic covenant, Mosaic covenant, leading to Israel’s restoration followed by Gentile inclusion • References to “Suffering Servant” to usher renewal • Important to expectations at the time of Jesus • Substance • Exile: disobedience/judgment; break in relationship • God needed to solve the sin problem for good • The Law was inadequate to keep them faithful
Jesus: Old Testament Promise • New Covenant • Substance • Glimpses of a more permanent solution (Jer. 31:24) • A new Davidic King • A new abundance in nature (crops, safety from wild beasts, oppressors, nature) • Response: Be faithful to God alone (this would be a work God does and people respond to by faith) • Covenants to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, New (Scope, Substance, Response): All part of One Promise