Route 66 Series

“ROUTE 66”

JOHN 5:39

The Bible is God’s Word to us. Studying God’s Word shows us who God is and what He has done. The Bible also reveals what matters to Him, how we are to live, and our purpose in His plan of redemption. Jesus is the theme of the Bible. He is in every book of the Bible because everything in the Bible ultimately points to Him.

Following the healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, Jesus was confronted by the Jews who condemned Him for breaking the Sabbath law. In a lengthy response in John 5, Jesus declares His divinity by saying, "Most assuredly I say to you, the Son of Man can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."(John 5:19)

Later, Jesus reveals His role in the Scriptures. This will be our entrance ramp onto Route 66. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39) Timothy Keller once said, “The Bible is not about you.” He is correct. The Bible is about one central character, Jesus.

I am embarking on a series of messages intended to show Jesus in each book of the Bible, “Route 66 – The Journey of Jesus”. The Bible contains 66 books. From the beginning pages of Genesis to the end of Revelation, Jesus is present and active.

If you grew up in the church, then you are familiar with Noah’s floating zoo. You have heard how David fell a giant with a single sling and stone, and you know about sycamore trees because of Zacchaeus. You may know the stories, but do you know THE story? The Bible is more than a collection of stories. The Bible IS a story.

Imagine a single, unfolding, thrilling drama; a story of epic proportions which is absolutely true. That is God’s Word. If we ever hope to properly handle the stories in the Bible, we must first grasp the story of the Bible. The story is not about you.

The Bible has one ultimate plan, one ultimate plot, one ultimate champion, and one ultimate King. The Bible’s main character is Jesus Christ. Although we do not see His name in every book, all 66 books point to Him.

• In the Old Testament, the Messiah is coming.

• In the Gospels, the Messiah is here.

• In the Book of Acts, the Messiah is proclaimed.

• In the epistles, the Messiah is explained.

• In Revelation, the Messiah is coming again.

All 66 books point to the journey of Jesus in scripture.

In Luke 24, shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appears incognito to two of His followers on a road. Bewildered and breathless, they relay the buzz surrounding the unexplainable empty tomb. Jesus says to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? (Luke then gives a summary, not a transcript, of the remaining conversation.) And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:25-27)

We do not know exactly what Jesus said that day. Perhaps it sounded something like this:

In GENESIS I was the Word of God, creating the heavens and the earth.

In EXODUS I was the Passover Lamb whose blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of your heart

so you could escape the bonds of slavery.

In LEVITICUS I was the temple, the holy place where you met with God.

In NUMBERS I was your ever-present guide, your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night

In DEUTERONOMY I was the prophet coming who is greater than Moses.

In JOSHUA I was the conquering warrior leading you into the promised land.

In JUDGES I was the broken Savior rising up to meet you.

In RUTH I was your kinsman-redeemer.

In 1 & 2 SAMUEL I was the pure-hearted shepherd king who rushed out to face your giants alone.

In 1 & 2 KINGS I was the righteous ruler.

In 1 & 2 CHRONICLES I was the restorer of the kingdom.

In EZRA I was the faithful scribe.

In NEHEMIAH I was the rebuilder of the walls.

In ESTHER I was your advocate risking my life to restore you to royalty.

In JOB I was your living Redeemer.

In PSALMS I am the one who hears your cries.

In PROVERBS I am wisdom personified.

In ECCLESIASTES I am the meaning that lets you escape the madness.

In SONG OF SOLOMON I am your lover and your bridegroom.

In ISAIAH I was the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace