Tuesday Oct 01, 2019

How Jesus Read the Bible - The Torah Series

In this Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores how Jesus, or Yeshua as he is referred to in the teaching, understood and interpreted the Old Testament, particularly the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). The central theme is that Jesus viewed the entire Old Testament as a unified story that ultimately points to him and God's plan for redemption through a coming king. This perspective challenges the common approach of seeing the Old Testament as a collection of disconnected stories, laws, and historical accounts.

The teaching begins by examining the account in Luke chapter 24, where the resurrected Jesus walks with two of his followers who are disheartened by his crucifixion. These followers had hoped that Jesus would redeem Israel, possibly through military or political means, and they failed to grasp the true nature of his mission. Jesus asks them what they are discussing, and they recount the events surrounding his arrest and crucifixion, expressing their lost hope. It is only later, when Jesus breaks bread with them, that they recognize him, and they recall how their hearts had burned within them as he spoke to them along the road.

Following this encounter, the two disciples return to Jerusalem and share their experience with the eleven remaining disciples. As they are talking, Jesus himself appears among them, causing surprise and fear as they initially believe they are seeing a spirit. Jesus reassures them by showing them his hands and feet, inviting them to touch him to confirm his physical presence. To further prove his reality, he asks for something to eat, and they give him a piece of fish, which he eats in front of them.

It is in this context that Jesus says to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Matthew Vander Els emphasizes that Jesus saw the entire Old Testament – the Law (Torah), the Prophets, and the Psalms – as being fundamentally about him. Jesus did not view these as separate, unrelated narratives but as interconnected parts of a single, grand story that culminates in his life, death, and resurrection.

The teaching stresses that Jesus believed all the stories in the Old Testament build upon each other and flow towards this central theme of a God who will redeem his creation through a king who will conquer the forces of corruption. Jesus then opened the minds of his disciples to understand the scriptures, explaining that the Christ (Messiah) would suffer, rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

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Application for Everyday Life:

Read the Old Testament with a Christ-centered perspective: Recognize that the stories, laws, and prophecies are interconnected and ultimately point to Jesus and God's plan of salvation.
Look for overarching themes and connections: Instead of focusing solely on individual stories, try to see how they contribute to the larger narrative of redemption.
Understand the significance of seemingly minor details: Pay attention to patterns, language, and the placement of stories, as these can reveal deeper connections and foreshadowing.
Teach children the Old Testament in light of Jesus: Help them see how the stories of the Old Testament lay the foundation for understanding their need for salvation and God's provision through Yeshua.
Persevere in reading the Bible: Even passages that seem difficult or boring are part of God's unified story and can offer valuable insights when read with the right perspective.
Recognize God's providence in unexpected circumstances: Just as God preserved Judah's lineage through Tamar's actions, trust that God can work through flawed individuals and unforeseen events to accomplish his purposes.
See Jesus in different roles foreshadowed in the Old Testament: Understand how figures like Joseph serve as types of Christ in their suffering, rejection, and ultimate exaltation.