"Christ Meets Us in the Book "

On an Easter Sunday just a few years back, Pastor Sergei Marchenko preached a sermon titled "Sunday Afternoon." He wanted to consider the effects of Jesus' resurrection, and how Christ meets us "on the road, in the book and at the table."

It was the middle section that really caught my ear, and elicited a rightful applause. It's a joy for me to show people the many and varied ways we can see Christ in all of Scripture. I've shared several different versions of "Jesus is the True and Better." I also frequently recommend three books: "The Jesus Storybook Bible" for kids and up, "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus" for pre-teens and up and "The True Story of the Whole World" for those at higher reading levels. Each book can help supplement the understanding that the whole Bible really is the story of Jesus.

Similar to but a bit longer than "Jesus is the True and Better," Pastor Sergei compiled a phenomenal overview of Christ throughout Scripture shared below with permission. You can also listen to the entire sermon here.

I truly love that none of the resources shared here are anywhere near comprehensive, and that every similar exposure and consideration deepens my love for my Lord and His Book.


Christ Meets Us in the Book

“And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Jesus takes them through the Bible to show them why they should not have been surprised that he died and rose again. The Bible is about Jesus. It is his book and he meets us there.

In Genesis he is the creator and the offspring promised to bruise the serpent’s head.

In Exodus he is the lamb whose blood on the doorframe caused the Lord to pass over the house and spare the firstborn of God’s people.

In Leviticus he is the holy high priest and the perfect sacrifice.

In Numbers he is the bronze serpent lifted high so that even a glance at him has the power to neutralize the venom in our veins.

In Deuteronomy he the great prophet who speaks on God’s authority. In Joshua he is the commander of the Lord’s army standing with his drawn sword in his hand.

In Judges he is the deliverer who saves his people out of the hand of those who plunder them.

In Ruth he the kinsman - redeemer.

In 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles he is the Prophet, Priest, and King.

In Ezra & Nehemiah he is the one who brings his people home, the restorer and rebuilder of the city of God.

In Esther he is the Invisible protector and preserver of his people.

In Job he is the mediator, the arbiter between God and man who can lay his hand on them both. He is of whom Job said: I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth.

Psalms are the songs of Jesus, songs about Jesus, and songs sung to Jesus.

In Proverbs & Ecclesiastes he is the wisdom of God.

In the Song of Solomon he is the bridegroom in love with his bride.

In Isaiah he is the suffering servant who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; upon whom was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with whose wounds we are healed.

In Jeremiah he is the righteous branch.

In Lamentations he weeps over the devastated city.

In Ezekiel he is the son of man.

In Daniel he is the fourth person in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

In Hosea he is the faithful husband forgiving his adulterous wife.

In Joel he is the Sender of the Spirit. In Amos he is the restorer of the fortunes of Israel.

In Obadiah he is the just judge over his people’s enemies.

In Jonah he is the one who pities the great city.

In Micah he is the ancient ruler to be born in Bethlehem.

In Nahum he is the avenger of his people.

In Habakkuk he is the answer to the prophet’s questions.

In Zephaniah he is the LORD God in the midst of his people, a mighty one who will save, who rejoices over them with gladness, quiets them by his love, and exults over them with loud singing.

In Haggai he is the shaker of heaven and earth, the shaker of nations, who will fill his temple with glory.

In Zechariah he is the pierced Messiah.

In Malachi he is the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings.

And the disciples on the road to Emmaus only had the Old Testament. We have the whole Bible.

In the Gospels his life, death and resurrection are recorded.

In Acts his life, death, and resurrection are preached.

In the Epistles his life, death, and resurrection are explained and applied.

In Revelation his return is anticipated.

Jesus is the true hero of all Bible stories.

Every blessing in the Bible is ultimately given to us in Christ. Every curse is the Bible is ultimately borne by Christ for the sake of his people.

Every genealogy culminates in Christ. Every teaching has Jesus as its chief subject. Every poem whispers his name.

Every promise is "yes" and "amen" in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen and amen.