Luke tells us a story of two disciples who were sad and discouraged by the recent events they had experienced in the city of Jerusalem (Luke 24:13-35).They had hoped that this man called Jesus would have been the Messiah – the one who would deliver Israel.There were so many expectations raised by the birth of this child just a few decades earlier – barren women giving birth in old age, angels appearing, wise men coming from the East and prophetic words being given. But now Jesus was dead. Instead of overthrowing the pagans, he had been crucified by them!
Suddenly, a stranger joins them as they journey on the Road to Emmaus. Amazingly, he begins to show them that the whole story (not just a few isolated, random texts), from Genesis to Chronicles (the last book of the Hebrew Bible, the prophets came earlier), was about what Jesus had just accomplished. They had been reading the Bible through the wrong end of the telescope. They had been seeing it as the long story of how God would redeem Israel from suffering, but it was instead the story of how God would redeem Israel through suffering. NO ONE had seen that.
We're not sure what this stranger actually said, but maybe it was something like this …
In Genesis, Jesus is the Creator of all, the seed of the woman and the only begotten son.
In Exodus, He is the Passover lamb.
In Leviticus, He is our high priest, our sacrifice and way of approach.
In Numbers, He is a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
In Deuteronomy, He is a city of refuge.
In Joshua, He is the Captain of the Lord's Hosts.
In Judges, He is our deliverer.
In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our prophet and priest.
In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning King.
In Ezra, He is the true and faithful scribe, bringing us God's words.
In Nehemiah, He is the re-builder of the broken walls.
In Esther, He is the preserve of God;s people.
In Job, He is the Redeemer who lives.
In Psalms, He is our song and our Shepherd.
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom.
In Ecclesiastes, He is the teacher.
In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover of our soul.
In Isaiah, He is the Prince of peace.
In Jeremiah and Lamentations, is the weeping prophet.
In Ezekiel, He is the person with four faces.
In Daniel, He is the fourth person in the fiery furnace.
In Hosea, He is the faithful husband.
In Joel, He is the baptiser in the Spirit.
In Amos, He is our burden bearer.
In Obadiah, He is the Lord our Saviour.
In Jonah, He is the great missionary.
In Micah, He is the promise of peace.
In Nahum, He is our strength and shield.
In Habakkuk, He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival.
In Zephaniah, He is the Lord Mighty to save.
In Haggai, He is the builder of God’s house.
In Zechariah, He is our fountain and the branch.
In Malachi, He is the Son of righteousness rising with healing in his wings, the refiner and purifier of his people.
For those of us with a New Testament, maybe he would have said …
In Matthew, He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
In Mark, He is the suffering servant.
In Luke, He is the son of man.
In John, He is the Son of God, the great I AM.
In Acts, He is the Head of the church.
In Romans, He is our righteousness.
In 1 Corinthians, He is the power of God, the wisdom of God, the love of God.
In 2 Corinthians, He is the triumphant one giving life.
In Galatians, He is our freedom.
In Ephesians, He is the fullness of God in bodily form.
In Philippians, He is our joy, our life, our goal and our strength.
In Colossians, we are complete in Him.
In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, He is our soon Coming King.
In 1 and 2 Timothy, He is our Mediator.
In Titus, He is our Blessed Hope.
In Philemon, He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
In Hebrews, He is the author and finisher of your faith.
In James, He is the Lord who heals the sick.
In 1 and 2 Peter, He is our Chief Shepherd.
In 1,2 and 3 John, Jesus is the Light, the Life, the Truth and Love.
In Jude, He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints.
In Revelation, He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Lamb of God, the Alpha and Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ!
By the end, these two disciples had experienced a reversal of emotions – from dejection to burning enthusiasm! AS they welcomed this stranger into their home (he acted as if he would go on), their eyes were opened as he broke bread with them and they realised it was Jesus!
May Jesus open His Word afresh to us as this time and may we welcome him into our hearts and our world, so that we may have a fresh revelation of Him at this time.
Excellent Mark. Thanks… One day God said to me, “Through pain and suffering I will draw you closer to Me…..” And He is always faithful to see us through, when we trust Him! Hope in Jesus never disappoint and His love never fails….. His grace is sufficient for us….. May our faith in Jesus grow stronger daily and fill our heart with His love to overflowing,
by the power of His Holy Spirit anointing, and draw us closer to Himself, so we may see His Word afresh with our heart’s eyes that is connected to our head.
Thanks Mark, I always remember hearing Dr Ebey on tape declaring who Jesus is through all the books of the Bible! Very passionate!
Dear Mark
Thank you for a wonderful Christmas message especially since these messages can tend to be predictable. But also the past three messages prior to the Christmas service looking at our current spiritual position. As you and the other speakers have so rightly pointed out, it’s hard to explain comprehensively if one has not experienced stage four but one is able to empathise and relate to one who has.
But I am curious about a matter which is not related to the messages. This being what is the church’s stance on tattoos. I’m sure this is not the first time that you have been asked and I apologise for making you repeat the answer.
Thanks again for your inspiring leadership and piercing messages and I wish you and your family a blessed and joyful 2012.
Hi Cheng.
Nice to hear from you.
I have a BLOG post on tattoos. Just type in ‘tattoo’ in the search box at the upper left hand side of the page.
Thanks
Hi Mark, All the message that is posted by you i am sending them to my brothers and sisters in india and they really liked it, specially the star fish,slient night and now Jesus throught out Bible.i am reading them daily.God Has given you grace to understand and teach so much all glory to God
Dear Mark
Thank you for your prompt reply on my question of tattooing. It has certainly brought up a lively discussion in the household. But in a good way. My real concern is the perception of the increasing liberal stance of the church rather than just whether it’s right to have tattoos, smoking or listening to Lady Gaga. But it’s the challenge of our generation and God’s Word is still the best guide.
Thank you again for another year of your inspiring teachings and leadership and I look forward to more in 2012. Wishing you and your family a blessed New Year and for God’s wisdom in leading the church.
Cheng
Pleased to hear that, Joseph!
Thanks Cheng.
I think it is important to distinguish between ‘essentials’ and ‘non-essentials.’ The apostle Paul would not compromise on issues such as the divinity of Christ or morality, but on areas such as eating meat, drinking wine or keeping certains days, he left that to people’s conscience to decide, rather than creating more rules. Very wise.
Hope you had an enjoyable Christmas 🙂
All the best in the new year!
I had a friend who always said ignore the new testament. I think we should look at the entire story. You obviously cannot just pick and choose…