Jesus Is - Luke 24:27

Introduction

Over the last four years, we’ve been in a series called the Big Story. This series was essentially a response to Andy Stanley’s suggestion that 21st Century Christians “unhitch” from the Old Testament. His conviction is that the Old Testament is so filled with difficult teachings and obsolete data that it has actually become a liability for the church in attempting to reach modern, educated, enlightened people. The Old Testament seems to be something that the Modern Church is embarrassed of.

But, what I’ve aimed to show you is that what Paul says is true. “All Scripture (remember Paul would’ve been largely talking about the OT when he used the word “scripture”) is God-breathed and profitable for teaching.” And, I’ve aimed to show you that what Jesus said was true in Luke 24, where we started the Big Story: Moses and the Prophets and all of Scripture are about Jesus. You see, Jesus is not a New Testament surprise. He’s an Old Testament expectation. Jesus is just as much the main character, the gospel is just as much the message of the OT and Jesus is the main character and the Gospel is the message of the NT. In fact, the NT writers assume that you know the OT so much so that much of their message is incoherent apart from it.

God’s Word

So, you see, you can’t cancel the Old Testament without cancelling Jesus. You can’t be embarrassed of the Old Testament without being embarrassed of the Good News itself. And, my goodness, look around. Our greatest season of growth has taken place during a prolonged exposition of the OT. Many of you have been saved and baptized. The OT contains many of the answers we’re looking for and much of the wisdom that we need. We ought to be doubling down, not unhitching.

I’ve said many times that if I could go back in time and witness firsthand any moment in Scripture that I would join Jesus on the Emmaus road after his resurrection where “beginning with Moses and the all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” And, what we’ve aimed to do during this series is to see “Where We’ve Seen Jesus in Every Book of the Old Testament”: (Headline)

In Genesis, Jesus is the “beginning” of “life.” All of creation is made through Jesus and by Jesus and for Jesus. God’s image bearers are defaced by sin, but He is the Seed of Eve who will return to crush the Serpent’s head and restore the birthright of God’s people through rebirth.

In Exodus, Jesus is our “Passover Lamb” whose blood is painted over the doors of our house. We walk in freedom and life rather than slavery and death. He’s our Mediator interceding before God that his presence might abide with us.

In Leviticus, Jesus is the “Sin Offering” whose throat is slit so we may live. He’s the Scapegoat cursed with our sins so that they are never to be heard from again. He’s the fulfillment of the civil, ceremonial, and moral law, establishing a new nation, a royal priesthood that operates by the Law of Love.

In Numbers, Jesus is God’s “steadfast love” that refuses to abandon his people, though his people abandon him. He’s the Intercessor who pleads for God’s pardon, and He’s God’s Promise kept by grace alone.

In Deuteronomy, Jesus is the “Redeemer of Ruins”, the renewal of an old promise. He is the Prophet greater than Moses, and the Mediator of a greater covenant. He welcomes us into the Holy of Holies, and secures the Promised Land forever.

REFRAIN: DON’T YOU SEE HIM?!?! DON’T YOU LOVE HIM?!?!

In Joshua, Jesus is the “Commander” of the Lord’s “Army” who crushes the unassailable walls of our sin. He is born from the line of the harlot, Rahab, so that lowly sinners of all peoples in all places can be chosen to enjoy the Promised Land.

In Judges, God’s people do what is right in their own eyes and ruin their lives, but Jesus is the “intervention” of “God” into the misery of life to save and sustain his people through the worst of times. He is the true and greater Samson who, though being the strong man, became a weak man and sacrificed himself to save his people.

In Ruth, Jesus is the “Redeemer” of a distressed “Bride” without any prospects of hope. He is the Restorer of Life that resurrects the bitter person that they might now walk in joy.

In 1-2 Samuel, Jesus is the “humble warrior” who strikes down the great giant that threatened his children so that they walk in victory instead of trembling in defeat. He is the Son of David who will remain on his throne forever and will see that the house of God is built out of living stones.

In 1-2 Kings, Jesus is the “sacrifice” who is consumed by the “fire” of heaven so that God’s judgment passes over his unfaithful people. He is the young, boy king who will bring a revival that outlasts time itself. He is the king who reigns benevolently from his throne ensuring that the citizens of his Kingdom are always safe, always prosperous, and always joyful.

In 1-2 Chronicles, Jesus is the one who “dies” as though he were “unholy” so that we, who are unholy, wouldn’t all be consumed by the fire that is our God. He is God’s commitment to dwell with his people on the earth so that their sins might be forgiven and their land might be healed.

In Ezra, Jesus is the “Son” of “Promise” who will lead his Church from Babylon back to Jerusalem. He is the Word that awakens his flock to their hope in God’s story.

In Nehemiah, Jesus is the “plan” of “God” to end our sojourning in the exile of a foreign land so that we can be home with him again. He is God’s strength personified; the proof that God has brought victory for his people, and God will bring the final victory for his Church.

In Esther, Jesus is the “king” who willingly “lays” down his life so that his Kingdom will always live. He is the one to be pierced upon the gallows built for us so that the Serpent’s head will be crushed by his own wicked design. He is the reversal that will turn the worst day for his people into a holiday they celebrate forever.

REFRAIN: DON’T YOU SEE HIM?!?! DON’T YOU LOVE HIM?!?!

In Job, Jesus is the “better friend” that joins you in your suffering. He is the living Redeemer who assures us that we will see God forever in a new creation of unthreatened joy. He is the restorer of life who transfers our faith to sight.

In Psalms, Jesus is the “tower” of “refuge” for sinners and a fortress for the insecure. He walks with you through the Valley of the Shadow of Death so that He might lead you to green pastures. He is our portion and our cup, the satisfaction of our souls.

In Proverbs, Jesus is “wisdom” that leads you away from ruin and into flourishing. He shows us the pathway to God and receives our rod of discipline so that we can receive the blessing that He deserves. He is the faithful spouse who is more precious than jewels and the friend who sticks closer than a brother.

In Ecclesiastes, Jesus is the “meaning” of “life.” He keeps us from chasing after the wind. He is our contentment amidst disappointment; our peace amidst chaos; our hope amidst despair; and, our purpose amidst vanity.

In the Song of Songs, Jesus is the “eager groom” coming in pursuit of his Bride. He ensures her security, and he promises her prosperity. He is the Groomsman that invites all of his people to the wedding supper of the Lamb where his praises are declared and their rewards are revealed.

REFRAIN: DON’T YOU SEE HIM?!?! DON’T YOU LOVE HIM?!?!

In Isaiah, Jesus is the “promised child” upon whose shoulders the world rests. His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince Peace. He is the Branch that changes the fruit of the world so that enemies become friends and the vulnerable become strong. He reverses the river so that it carries sinners uphill to the City of God, and He’s done it as the suffering servant who bore our griefs and was crushed by our iniquity.

In Jeremiah, Jesus is the “call” of “God” to do what nobody else would want to do. He’s the New Covenant that will make us faithful by changing what’s in our hearts.

In Lamentations, Jesus is “new mercy” every morning. He is the great faithfulness of God with a pulse, the hope of mankind with a heartbeat. He is abiding peace, and He is a present comfort. He will endure the worst of times so that we might enjoy the best of eternity.

In Ezekiel, Jesus is the “raising” of the “dead”, dry bones finding new life. He’s the cleansing water of God sprinkled on your soul; the heart of flesh that will open your eyes so that you can be made new.

In Daniel, He’s the “Son” of”Man” who stands with you in the fire. He closes the mouths of lions and humbles the mightiest kings. His dominion and glory and kingdom are everlasting and will be confessed by all peoples in all places for all times. He shall not fade nor pass away, and WE. SHALL. BE. WITH. HIM.

REFRAIN: DON’T YOU SEE HIM?!?! DON’T YOU LOVE HIM?!?! (band re-enters stage)

In Hosea, Jesus is the “faithful groom” who chases after his adulterous bride. She gives her heart to the world, but He gives his life for her.

In Joel, Jesus is the “blowing trumpet” to wake up his sleeping church. He is the patient Lord pleading with his people to return so that they aren’t destroyed.

In Amos, Jesus is “trampled grace” who is abandoned for rotting treasures. His people are dead and playing Church, pretending like they love him. But his love still has him coming for them so that they might be resurrected to really live and really love and really rejoice.

In Obadiah, Jesus is the “defender” of the “helpless.” He’s the enemy of our enemies. He will declare the final judgment that brings you home from exile, and He will be the Savior exalted by the New Song of the nations.

In Jonah, Jesus leaves the “comforts” of “home” so that He might die for Nineveh. He’s the joyful, un-reluctant Prophet who willingly pursues his enemies so they can enjoy God. He is the good given for the bad. He is love proven through costs. He is swallowed up by our judgment, not his, and, He will spend three days beneath the judgment of the sea before He is raised to walk on dry land again.

In Micah, Jesus meets what God “requires” because we never could. He is the doer of justice, the lover of kindness, and humility personified. He is our peace forever, and He casts every one of our sins and all of our shame into the depths of the sea so that it drowns and we live.

In Nahum, Jesus is not “indifferent.” He is passionate about the injustices we suffer, and He is zealous to resolve the suffering we overlook. He is the assurance that our story is still being written and that the final chapter will be victory. He is the buoyant hope that enables us to dance in his promises even as we weep over our losses.

In Habakkuk, Jesus is the “providence” that’s hard to “understand.” He’s the promise that, though your eyes may not see him, He never takes his eyes off of you. He’s the story too great for you to write, and He’s the invitation to faith for all peoples. He delivered his people from slavery to Egypt once before, and He’s coming back to deliver us unto freedom forever.

In Zephaniah, Jesus is the “warrior” who is mighty to “save”. He is always fighting for his people and will fight until they prevail. He is the prepared sacrifice. He is the coming Judge. And, He is the gladness of the remnant. You don’t deserve him, and yet He is happy with you and exults over you by singing so loud it echoes through the heavens. He is the one who gathers the outcasts and changes their shame into praise.

In Haggai, Jesus is the “return” of God’s “presence” to live with his people. He’s the long-awaited restoration of hope. He is the latter Temple that pales the glory of the first and ensures the Spirit is in their midst. He is the redemption of ruins and the Source of blessings that money can’t buy.

In Zechariah, Jesus is the “fountain” of “grace” that can’t be run dry. He’s the spring of mercy that runs deeper than the curse of sin. He is the Angel of the Lord who removes our filthy clothes and makes us clean instead. He is the Priest-king who is building the new Temple out of people like us so that we enjoy the nearness of God through the timeless ages. He pardons our sins. He removes our shame. He overcomes our penalty. And, He sustains our salvation.

And, in Malachi, Jesus is the “proof” of God’s “love.” He is the walking, breathing assurance that we’re never forsaken. He’s the looming Day of the Lord that will take down the mighty but lift up the humble. He is the healer so that the lame now leap. He is the transformer so that the downtrodden are now exalted. He is the true Lamb of God pointed out by the second Elijah, and He is the One coming to wipe away THE. LAST. TEAR. FROM. YOUR. FACE.

CRESCENDO: DON’T YOU SEE HIM?!?! DON’T YOU LOVE HIM?!?! WON’T YOU WORSHIP HIM?!?! (Band leads us in “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery)