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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27

Read: Luke 24:13-35
Listen: Luke 24

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Throughout Jesus’s life, people misunderstand his mission and ministry. Some think he’s just a wise teacher. Others view him as a miracle worker healing the sick and feeding the poor. Others believe he will overthrow Rome and establish a physical kingdom. Even his closest friends misunderstand his purpose. Yet, Jesus makes it clear his mission goes beyond human expectations. He suffers and dies to save people from their sins and restore them to God and each other. His message is that the kingdom of God has arrived.

Jesus’s followers are heartbroken after his death. After his resurrection, Jesus meets two disciples discussing all that has happened. He conceals his identity and then begins to help them understand what he is about. He starts at the beginning of Scripture and teaches how God’s Word has always pointed to him—Moses, law and prophets. The New Testament authors later expound on this teaching in their writings to the early churches. Hundreds of references to the Old Testament help make the connection for Jesus’s followers that he had been the plan all along. He fulfills all of the Old Testament.

This year, we will look for Jesus in the Old Testament. On the first Monday of each month, we will introduce a book of the Old Testament and how we find Jesus in it. We will also include a daily reading plan and encourage you to highlight things that point to Jesus. We will better understand Scripture’s big storyline as we journey through this challenge. God’s plan always included Jesus coming to save us from our sins. We will see how God prepared the way through pictures, prophets, stories and symbols pointing to Jesus.

TODAY: Ask God to help you see Jesus in Scripture in a new way this year. Pray for God to open your eyes to the story of Jesus through every page of Scripture and know how to read the whole Bible in light of Jesus.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Throughout January, we will read the Gospel of Luke and look for how Luke points back to the Old Testament. Luke’s central theme is how God is faithful to the covenant promises to send the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus to save his people from exile and into his promised kingdom. The reading plan starts tomorrow. Remember these themes as you read this month: covenant promises, the Holy Spirit, exile and promised kingdom.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.