Yesterday we discussed the first guiding principle when it comes to the doctrine of Scripture: What I believe about the Bible affects what I believe about everything. If you haven’t read that post, I suggest you go back and catch up before reading this one as these posts build upon one another.
Today, we’re digging in to the second guiding principle.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #2
The Bible isn’t a book about GOOD PEOPLE and BAD PEOPLE. It’s a book about BAD PEOPLE and a really GOOD GOD. The main character in every story is JESUS.
The Bible contains both doctrine and story. It not only gives us transformational principles. It also uses the power of story to show us how God works and acts in human history.
One of the best books on biblical theology is a little book titled, The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. Here’s how Sally describes the Bible in the opening pages of her book…
Every Story Whispers His Name.
“God wrote, ‘I love you’ — He wrote it in the sky, and on the earth, and under the sea. He wrote His message everywhere! Because God created everything in His world to reflect Him…to show us what He is like, to help us know Him…
Sally is describing general revelation, which I explained in yesterday’s post.
“…God put it into words, too, and wrote it in a book called, ‘The Bible.’
She’s now describing special revelation.
“Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should do and shouldn’t do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what He has done.
Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). They get afraid and run away. At times, they are downright mean.No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves.
It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!
You see, the best thing about this Story is – it’s true.
There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves His children and comes to rescue them.
It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. At the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers His name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle – the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture. —Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible [1]
That’s it!
Ultimately, the Bible is one story – the story of God’s plan to save sinners through the sacrifice of JESUS — God’s only Son — who died for our sins in our place! And to use the words of The Jesus Storybook Bible, “Every page in the Bible, whispers Jesus’ name.”
THE BIBLE IS THE STORY OF JESUS!
For instance, when God tells Abraham not to sacrifice his only son Isaac, but promises to supply the sacrifice, the Bible is pointing to Jesus, “the lamb of God” who would eventually offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin forever!
When David takes down Goliath in the ultimate WWE Smackdown, it’s a preview of Jesus – the ultimate Champion – who would one day conquer death itself on behalf of His people.
In John 5, Jesus explained it like this to a group of religious know-it-alls…
You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.
—John 5:39-40 MSG
The entire Bible was given so that we could KNOW Jesus, LOVE Jesus and LIVE for Jesus! I love the way one man described it: “Revelation is for relationship.”
Every story whispers His name… from the opening chapters of Genesis, to the closing chapter of Revelation, the story of Jesus is being told in this book.
Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience gets credited to you and me.
Jesus is the true and better Abel. Even though he was innocent, he was slain. And now his blood cries out, not for our condemnation, but for redemption.
Jesus is the true and better Abraham. He answered the call of God to leave all that was comfortable and familiar to come to earth so he could create a new peopleof God.
Jesus is the true and better Isaac who didn’t just go up the mountain with his father, but was actually sacrificed for us all. God looked at Abraham and said, “Now I know you love and revere me because you didn’t withhold your son…” Today, we can stand at the foot of the cross and look back up to God and we can say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son…”
Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled with God and took the blow of justice we deserved; so that we, like Jacob, could receive the wounds of gracethat wake us up, discipline us and help us to become the prince or princess God had in mind when he created us!
Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save and rescue them.
Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and God and mediates a new covenant.
Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in our deserts.
Jesus is the true and better Job. He’s the truly innocent sufferer, who intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.
Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes our victory.
Jesus is the true and better Esther who didn’t just risk leaving an earthly palace, but gave up the ultimate and heavenly one! He didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.
Jesus is the true and better Daniel. He was lowered into the Lion’s Den of DEATH, but came out of “His Lion’s Den” three days later victorious and vindicated by God!
Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.
Jesus is the true and better Passover Lamb — innocent and perfect — slain so the angel of death will pass over us.
Jesus is the true tabernacle, the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread. [2]
The Bible isn’t about ME and it’s not about YOU!
It’s all about JESUS!!!!
From Genesis to Revelation – It’s All About Jesus!
In Genesis Jesus is the “creator God,” the “breath of life” and the “seed of woman” who will one day crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15).
In Exodus Jesus is our redeemer and “Passover lamb” (Ex 12:13; Jn 1:29, 35).
In Leviticus Jesus is our Great High Priest, the Eternal Sacrifice and our sanctification (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:26b, 28).
In Numbers He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night. He is our trusted guide. (Numbers 9)
In Deuteronomy, He’s our teacher and the prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15; 32:4).
In Joshua, He is the captain of Our Salvation (Joshua 2:18) and the scarlet thread hanging from Rahab’s window…
In Judges He is the Great Judge and Lawgiver.
In Ruth, He is our Kinsman, Lover and Redeemer (Ruth 3:9).
In 1 Samuel He is our prophet, our King and our champion who defeats our Goliath.
In 2 Samuel He is the anointed King.
In 1 and 2 Kings He is the wise and the reigning King.
In 1 and 2 Chronicles He our intercessor, our high priest and the glory of the Lord that fills the temple of Solomon.
In Ezra He is the faithful scribe and the restorer of the temple.
In Nehemiah He is the rebuilder of the broken-down walls of human life.
In Esther He is our Mordecai or hidden teacher. He also stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
In Job He is the redeemer who lives and will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25-27).
In Psalms He is the “Lord our Shepherd” and He is the Lord our Song (Psalm 23).
In Proverbs He is the “Wisdom of God” (Proverbs 8:35) who helps you to make sense out of life and live it successfully.
In Ecclesiastes He’s our purpose and our only hope.
In Song of Solomon He is our lover, our bridegroom and our loyal friend. He’s also the “rose of Sharon” and the “lily of the valley” (SOS 2:1) and the fairest of 10,000!
In Isaiah, He is the suffering servant and the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of peace (Isaiah 53:4-5; Isaiah 9:6).
In Jeremiah, He is righteous branch and our balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
In Lamentations He is the weeping prophet and the ever faithful one upon whom you can depend!
In Ezekiel He is the Son of Man and the wind that comes from the four corners of the earth resurrecting an entire valley of dry bones.
In Daniel, He is the fourth man in the fiery furnace and the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven. (Daniel 3:25).
In Hosea He is our faithful and loving husband.
In Joel He is the baptizer with the Holy Spirit and the God who pours out the Holy Spirit.
In Amos, He is the burden bearer and the arms that carry us.
In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save (Obadiah 1:17-21).
In Jonah He is the God of the Second Chance – our forgiving God.
In Micah He is the messenger with beautiful feet.
In Nahum He is our stronghold in the Day of Trouble (Nahum 1:7).
In Habakkuk He is the Great Evangelist crying out for REVIVAL!
In Zephaniah He is the restorer of the Remnant and the glory of Israel (Zephaniah 3:15) and the God who SINGS over His people (3:17).
In Haggai He is the cleansing fountain and the God who restores our lost heritage.
In Zechariah He is the pierced Son.
And in Malachi He is the Son of righteousness who rises with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
That’s just the Old Testament. Here’s the New Testament.
In Matthew, He is the Promised Messiah and King of the Jews (Matt 1:23; 2:2, 6).
In Mark He is the miracle worker and the humble servant (Mark 10:45).
In Luke He is the Son of Man (Luke 19:10).
In John He is the Son of God and the Word made flesh.
In Acts He is the ascended Lord who fills His followers with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 11; 2:1-4).
In Romans He is our justifier who frees us from all condemnation and He is the grace of God.
In 1 Corinthians He is the last Adam.
In 2 Corinthians, He is our God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3).
In Galatians He’s our liberator – the one who sets us FREE from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13).
In Ephesians He is our glorious treasure and the head of the church.
In Philippians He is our JOY and the God who meets all our needs and the name above every name (Phi 4:8; 2:9).
In Colossians He is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form and He is our completeness.
In 1 and 2 Thessalonians He is our Soon Coming King (1 Thes 4).
In 1 and 2 Timothy He is the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
In Titus He is our blessed hope and the faithful pastor (Tit 2:13).
In Philemon He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
In Hebrews He is the blood of the New Covenant that cleanses us from all our sin and the same yesterday, today and forever.
In James, He is the one who heals the sick (James 5).
In 1 and 2 Peter He is Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25).
In 1, 2 and 3 John He is unconditional, everlasting love.
In Jude He is the Only Wise God, our Savior and the Lord who will return with 10,000 of His Saints (Jude 1:14, 24).
In Revelation He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 1:8, 17; 21:6; 5:6; 19:13; 9:16; 22:16).
That’s it!!! This entire book is about Him!
It’s all about Jesus!
It’s all because of Jesus!
It all points to Jesus!
Here’s the most amazing thing about all of this: God’s purpose in revealing Himself to us, is not to give us a set of rules, but to invite us into a relationship.
We get into the third guiding principle in tomorrow’s post.
[1] Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible
[2] Adapted from Tim Keller, It‘s All About Jesus‖ (Theology and Quotations, Dec. 4, 2006)