Connecting Jesus to the Old Testament
John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
It is surprising to many people the connection between Jesus and the Old Testament. I want to say that the longer I spend studying the Bible, the more I believe that the Old Testament is all about Jesus. Our passage in John here makes that very clear.
God speaks through creation. After all, He spoke and creation came into existence. And He spoke to the prophets in the past as well. Moses being the chief prophet to whom God gave the Law.
- God is Not Silent!
God is not only there, but He reveals Himself to man! God speaks and all good things are created. General revelation.
- And all good things are created
Specific revelation tells us this about creation:
Light destroys darkness
The matter is formed into that which reflects God
Emptiness is filled
No more darkness. No more disorder. No more emptiness. God has spoken!
- Life begins
There is no life apart from God. Your life begins when you hear the Words of God! And the very existence of your life allows for you to “hear” the Word of God! And when you hear and obey, you have a blessed life.
- Blessings are given
Blessing are spoken by God.
The good things in your life are brought into being by the will and word of God.
- Jesus is All Of God’s Word
- The Word Became Flesh
Merry Christmas indeed.
Jesus is more than a gift. He is all of life!
He reveals God to us.
He is God with us.
He is “I am”
- All that God’s Word is and does
Everything that God’s Word does for us, Jesus does in us.
In Genesis He is…
In Genesis, Jesus Christ is the seed of the woman.
Noah’s ark, Abraham’s ram etc.
In Exodus, He is the passover lamb. The lampstand, the shew bread, the tabernacle itself etc.
In Leviticus, He is our high priest.
In Numbers, He is the Rock that gives the water of life
In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet like unto Moses.
In Joshua, He is the captain of our salvation.
In Judges, He is our judge and lawgiver.
In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our trusted prophet.
In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning king.
In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of life.
In Esther, He is our Mordecai.
In Job, He is our ever-living redeemer.
In Psalms, He is our shepherd.
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is our wisdom.
In the Song of Solomon, He is the loving bridegroom.
In Isaiah, He is the prince of peace.
In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
In Ezekiel, He is the wonderful four-faced man.
In Daniel, He is the Son of Man
In Hosea, He is the faithful husband,
In Joel, He is the Giver of the Holy Spirit
In Amos, He is our burden-bearer.
In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save.
In Jonah, He is our great missionary.
In Micah, He is the messenger with beautiful feet.
In Nahum, He is the avenger of God’s elect.
In Habakkuk, he is God’s evangelist
In Zephaniah, He is our Saviour.
In Haggai, He is the restorer of God’s lost heritage.
In Zechariah, He is the one who cleanses us.
In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness,
- This is our opportunity for life
“I am the life!”- Jesus: John 14:6
“I came that you might have life… more abundantly”
-Jesus: John 10:10
Believer or unbeliever, all of the good gifts of life come from God.
Transfiguration: Matt 17:1-6
Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Moses: The Law, Genesis – Deuteronomy. Elijah: The Prophets: Joshua- Malachi. And God speaks: “This is my beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased: “Listen to Him!!”
God, through Moses: This is my chosen prophet, “Listen to Him.”
Hebrews 1: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son
III. How Do I Follow Jesus?
- See yourself in the story
Luke 2: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
You are the Shepherds.
Jesus is Good News of Great Joy for all people!
Jesus is our Savior. What does He save from? How does He save?
- Learn of Him what makes a good life
Matt 11:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Bible study will give you the information: Apostles teaching
Prayer will help you see how it fits into your life: Prayer
Fellowship with others will help you be encouraged and provide you with a fresh perspective and accountability
Worship will direct you to put God’s ways and will first: Breaking of bread
Serving and giving will put you on the pathway to Godliness
- Love Jesus, Believe Jesus, Obey Jesus
Emotional? Love Jesus. Intellectual? Believe in Jesus. Willful? Obey Jesus. If you are struggling with any of these, pursue the others. The grand goal of Scripture is to get you to obey God’s instructions for life so that you might have life.
Jesus said: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matt 7:24-25
Look at it this way: Suppose you are a five year old child and you go to the grocery store and you can get whatever you want. What are you gonna buy? And how much are you gonna eat. And how will you feel the first few bites? And what will happen to you in a little bit? And if you stay in this lane for life, what will happen to you? Don’t be a little child. We are called to the vegetable aisle for life. But it’s not as much fun! That sense of fun will kill you.
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