I find my Lord in the Bible,
Wherever I chance to look.
He is the theme of the Bible,
The center and heart of the book.
He is the rose of Sharon,
He is the lily fair.
Whenever I open my Bible,
The Lord of the Book is there.
He, at the book's beginning,
Gave to the earth its form.
He is the Ark of shelter,
Bearing the brunt of the storm.
The burning bush of the desert,
The budding of Aaron's rod;
Whenever I look in the Bible,
I see the Son of God.
The ram on Mount Moriah,
The ladder from earth to sky,
The scarlet cord in the window,
The serpent lifted high;
The smitten rock in the desert,
The shepherd with staff and crook;
The face of the Lord I discover
Whenever I open the book.
He is the seed of the woman,
The Savior. virgin born.
He is the Son of David,
Whom men rejected and scorned.
His garments of grace and beauty
The stately Aaron deck.
Yet he is a priest forever,
For He is Melchizedek.
Lord of eternal glory
Whom John in vision saw;
Light of the golden city,
Lamb without spot or flaw.
Bridegroom coming at midnight
For whom the virgins look.
Whenever I open my Bible,
I find my Lord in the book.
By Fred H.Sterne
1. Christ, the Messiah
John 1:41 -"Messiah..means Christ"
"Christ" and "Messiah" both mean "anointed one."
In the OT, kings were anointed with oil. Jesus Christ was anointed by God to reign as King over all creation. This anointing likely occurred at Christ's coronation in heaven on resurrection Sunday.
Isaiah 6:1 -"the Lord hath anointed me.."
Acts 10:38 -"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth.."
Heb. 12:2 -"thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.."
2. Christ, the One of Whom the Prophets Spoke
Lk.18: 31 - "all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished"
Lk. 22:37 ? "this that is written (Is. 53:2) must..be..accomplished in me"
Lk. 24:37 ? "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself"
Lk. 24:44 - "things..written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me"
John 5:39 ? "the scriptures..testify of me"
John 5:46 ? ".Moses..wrote of me"
Acts 3:18 ? "God before..showed by..the prophets..that Christ should suffer.."
Acts7:52 - "prophets..showed before..the coming of the Just One"
Acts 8:35 ? "(Philip) began at the same scripture (Isaiah) and preached to him, Jesus"
Acts 10:43 - "to him give all the prophets witness"
Acts 17:2, 3 - (Paul) "reasoned with them out of the scriptures..that Christ must..suffer..
and rise again..this Jesus..is Christ"
Acts 18:28 ? (Apollos) "showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ"
Acts 28:23 ? "persuading them concerning Jesus ..out of Moses..and the prophets"
Heb. 10:7 ? "in the volume of the book..it is written of me "
3. Christ, the One Prophesied in the OT
The NT frequently quotes OT passages that refer to Christ. See Matt. 27:14, 46; Luke 2:11; Acts 13:47; 1 Co. 15:3; 1 Pet. 2:24, etc.
Is. 53:12 includes 4 such prophecies:
"..he poured out his soul unto death.."
Christ conquered death. Death did not conquer him.
He "dismissed" his spirit after completing his work.
"..he was numbered with the transgressors.."
Christ was crucified with 2 lawbreakers.
"he bore the sin of many.."
Christ died for the sins of the world.
"..he..made intercession for the transgressors ... "
Christ cried, "Father, forgive them.. they know not what they do."
4. Christ, Typified in OT Characters
God illustrates the attributes and works of Christ through numerous, OT characters. Following are a few examples:
1) Adam
Adam brought death on mankind. Christ brings life to all who believe.
2) Isaac
Isaac offered himself as a sacrifice but a ram died in his place. There was no
ram, however, to replace Christ who died for the sins of the world.
3) Joseph
Sold for silver, Joseph remained righteous in a foreign land. Later exalted, his brothers admitted their guilt and bowed before him. Joseph forgave them and lavished them with blessings. Christ remained righteous in a sinful world. Sold for silver, he forgives the sins of all who repent.
4) Moses
He escaped death as an infant and grew up to save the Jews. Christ escaped death as an infant when his parents fled to Egypt and he grew up to save both Jews and Gentiles.
5) Aaron
The high priest acted as mediator between sinful Israelites and a holy God by placing the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat. Christ, as our great high priest, placed his own blood on heaven's mercy seat to atone for our sins.
6) Boaz
A wealthy landowner, he purchased Ruth, a former heathen, as his bride. Christ redeemed his fallen bride and made her a joint heir of his inheritance.
7) David
As a shepherd boy, David protected his sheep from predators. Christ, the good shepherd, gave his life for his sheep. Both were anointed to be king.
8) Jonah
Jonah spent 3 days and nights in "the belly of hell." Similarly, Christ spent 3 days and nights in Sheol, in the heart of the earth." Both were resurrected.
5. Christ, the "Name which is above every name.."
Scripture's 348 different names for Christ, reveal his person and work. They include:
Advocate
Author and Finisher of Our Faith
Beloved Son
Bread of Life
Bridegroom
Bright and Morning Star
Chief Cornerstone
Chief Shepherd
Christ the Lord
Counselor
Creator
Day Star
Deliverer
Desire of all Nations
Door
Emmanuel
Everlasting Father
Faithful and True Witness
Faithful High Priest
First and the Last
Fountain of Living Waters
Good Shepherd
Great High Priest
Great King
Great Shepherd of the Sheep
Holy One of Israel
Hope of Glory
Hope of Israel
Horn of Salvation
I Am
Jesus
Judge of All the Earth
King of Glory
King of Israel
King of Kings
Lamb of God
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Lord Jesus Christ
Lord of All
Man of sorrows
Mediator
Messiah
Mighty God
Our Passover
Our Peace
Prince of Peace
Prophet
Rabbi
Redeemer
Rock
Root of David
Rose of Sharon
Ruler
Savior
Servant
Son of Abraham
Son of David
Son of God
Son of Man
Star out of Jacob
Teacher
Vine
Way
Wisdom of God
Wonderful
Word of God
6. Christ's Purpose in Coming
In the OT, God offered forgiveness of sins through Jewish sacrifices. Most Jews, however, pursued there own interests and worshipped idols. Priests
and prophets warned them but few responded. After 2000 years, God sent
his Son who lived humbly among the Jews even though he was a prophet,
priest, and king. In spite of his testimony and miracles, they rejected him, condemning him to death. Thereafter, Christ set Israel aside and invited all,
Jews and Gentiles, to have their sins forgiven through Christ's blood sacrifice
on the cross. Those who respond become members of his church (the body
and bride of Christ) which will share in the glories of Christ's future kingdom.
1) To forgive sins
Matt. 20:28
"the Son of man..(gave) his life a ransom for many"
Luke 19:10
"the Son of Man is come to..save that which was lost"
1 Tim. 1:15
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"
John 10:10
"I am come that they might have life"
Titus 2:14
"(He) gave himself..that he might redeem us"
2) To call out his church
Romans 15:10?"rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."
Romans 9:25 ?"I will call them my people which were not my people..her beloved, which was not beloved."
John 1:12 ?"as many as received him.. gave he power to become the sons of God..to them that believe on his name."
Eph. 5:23-29 ? Christ..loved the church and gave himself for it..
the Lord..nourishes and cherishes..the church"
1 Peter 2:9 ? "ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people "
3) To cleanse and glorify his church
Titus 2:14 ? "that he might..purify to himself a peculiar people, (Gr. a people of his own), zealous of good works."
Eph. 5:23-29 ? "that it should be holy and without blemish.."
11 Peter 1:3 ? "(he).. hath called us to glory and virtue"
1 Peter 5:10 - "God..called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus"
1 Peter 2:9 ? "that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"
1 Peter 1:3-5 - "Christ ... hath begotten us ... to an inheritance, incorruptible ... undefiled ... that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation"
Eph. 2:7 - "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
7. Christ's Passion
In order to accomplish his purpose in coming, it was necessary for the Lamb of God to die as the blood sacrifice. This was accomplished on the cross.
Infinitely worse than the physical sufferings inflicted by man, was the spiritual suffering inflicted by God. Christ was on the cross from 9 am to 3 pm. During the last 3 hours, the sun was darkened over the land of Israel.
It was during this period of judgment that Christ was "stricken, smitten and afflicted" by God with sufferings so unspeakable, God hid his face and
forsook his Son.
Christ was left alone to pay for the sin of every person who ever lived. He drank "of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture (dilution) into the cup of his indignation."
We will never comprehend the cost Christ paid for our redemption. Because God's judgment fell on Christ, we can be spared. Because Christ was forsaken by God, we need never be forsaken by God.
Our part is simply to accept Christ's sacrifice.
"..(God) hath made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
"..Christ loved us..and gave himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God."
"..He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed."
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift"
8. Christ's Priesthood
Blood Sacrifices ? Past and Present
From the Garden of Eden, God established animal blood sacrifices as the means of temporary reconciliation between holy God and sinful man. When Christ, God's perfect Lamb, died, his blood covered sin, "once for all."
Ex. 12:13 - "when I see the blood, I will pass over you"
Lev. 17:1 - "it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul"
Heb. 9:22 - "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission"
Hebs.9:13,14 -"..if the blood of bulls..sanctified (us)..how much more..the blood of Christ.."
Priesthood ? Past and Present
Acting as mediators between the tribes of Israel and a holy God, Old Testament priests annually placed the blood of sacrificed animals on the mercy seat inside the Holy of Holies. Although they were unaware, the mercy seat and blood symbolized a heavenly mercy seat on which Christ would place his own blood for the sins of the world. His one sacrifice replaced the repetitious animal sacrifices.
Heb. 9:8-24 - "..the first tabernacle..was a figure..until the time of..Christ..(who) by his own blood..by means of death..obtained eternal redemption for us..he is the mediator ..they who are called might receive..eternal inheritance..for Christ..entered..into heaven ..to appear in the presence of God for us.."
Heb. 8:1? "..we have..an high priest..mediator of a better covenant..who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens..a minister..of the true tabernacle ... earth ... presents ... the example and shadow ... and pattern ... of heavenly things ... "
Heb. 7:11-27 - "..if..perfection were by the Levitical priesthood..what further need was there that another priest should rise ... Jesus continueth ever..an unchangeable priesthood..he is able..to save them to the uttermost (completely) that come to God by him..he ever lives to make intercession for them..an high priest..who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens..he offered up himself.."
Veil of the Temple ? Past and Present
The "veil" was a heavy, ornate curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle or temple. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies "once every year, not without blood." (Heb. 9:7).
Mark 15:38-"the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom"
The moment Christ died, God jubilantly ripped the curtain in half, allowing free access to himself within the Holy of Holies, to every repentant sinner! Christ's blood was on the mercy seat. The sin debt was paid! It seems God could not wait to welcome his redeemed children home!
9. Christ ~ Advocate / Mediator / Priest
Today, Jesus is the one and only priest who mediates between God and man. Any human being who claims otherwise denies God's Word. The One who paid the price is the One who bridges the gap between God and man.
1 Tim. 2:5, 6 "..there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all"
1 John 2:1 "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous"
Heb. 2:17 "(Jesus)..a merciful and faithful high priest..make(s) reconciliation for the sins of the people"
Heb. 4:15, 16 "we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points temped like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
10. Christ ~ Majestic King!
During Christ's earthly ministry, he veiled his glory, presenting himself as the "Son of man." Only briefly on the Mount of Transfiguration, did 4 of his disciples catch a glimpse of the glorified Christ.
Matt. 17:2 ? "his face did shine like the sun and his clothing was as white as the light..
Mark 9:3- "His clothing became shining, exceedingly white like snow as no fuller on earth can whiten them"
Luke 9:29 ? "..the appearance of his countenance was altered and his clothing was white and glistening..they saw his glory.."
The glory of Christ's second coming and millennial reign are described as follows:
Rev. 1:7 ? "Behold, he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him.."
Isa. 35:2 - "they shall see the glory of the LORD and the excellency of our God"
Is. 6:3 ? "the whole earth is full of his glory"
Isa. 28:5 ? " the LORD of hosts..crown of glory..diadem of beauty ... "
Is. 25:9 ? "it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him..this is the LORD, we have waited for him; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
Rev. 5:11-13; 19:11-16 - " ... I saw heaven opened and ... a white horse and he that sat on him was Faithful and True ... his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood and his name is called, 'the Word of God' and he hath ... a name written ...
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power ...
riches ...
wisdom ...
strength ...
honor ...
glory ...
blessing ...
forever and ever."
"Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
? 2006 Grace Kemp. All rights reserved. Non-commercial use of all articles permitted. Attach link to: www.scriptureseries.com
