The Bible

The Bible

We see this all the time in the Gospels, the people who heard Jesus speak responded like this: "They were all amazed at His teaching". Mark tells us that Jesus’ teaching had "authority".

What does that mean? It means that there was something about His words that made them different than everyone else's. The people recognized that and the words of Jesus became scripture.

There is a unique nature to scripture. So, let’s ask this: “Why do we have scripture?” In other words, what is the purpose of the Bible?

The Bible is not meant to be a history text or a science book. It's not a psychology manual or a self-help book. It has a much more specific purpose. The purpose of the Bible is to tell the history of redemption from God's point of view. That means that Scripture is meant to point us to Christ and the cross. John 5:39 says that the scripture "testifies" about Jesus.

For example, in Numbers 2, God gave detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to arrange their camp while they were in the wilderness. If we were to draw an overhead picture of the camp and each of the tribes, it would reveal to us that the camp was arranged in the shape of a cross. The cross is what God saw when he looked down on the Israelites!

Likewise, in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, the Millennial Temple also is laid out in the form of a cross. God, while sitting on His throne, stares at the form of the cross all day, every day. God puts the cross in everything you and I do. It is that important to Him. When He sees the cross He sees His Son sacrifice and the cost of redemption.

I think it’s legitimate for you and I to ask, "Why isn't this cross as important to us as it is to Him?"

The whole Bible constantly points us to the coming of Christ. Chuck Missler outlines the Bible this way:

Old Testament … Behold, He Comes

Gospels … Behold, He Dies

Acts … Behold, He Lives

Epistles … Behold, He Saves

Revelation … Behold, He Reigns

The Bible reveals that it all revolves around Jesus and the cross!

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore ... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”