Week 1 - Day 4
THE STORY
Stories
THE STORY OF THE BIBLE
As you may know, the Bible is a big book. And though there is no substitute for reading the whole Bible from cover to cover, sometimes a guided tour of the main parts can be helpful. For example, have you ever used a travel guide when visiting a new city or traveling to a foreign country? That’s what this first map of The Story is. Like a travel guide, it can’t cover all the destinations, but it will cover many of the main attractions. Though someone else may choose to highlight different passages from the Bible, the passages that have been selected will give you a good taste and an insightful tour of the main events, characters and teachings of the Bible.
Next week, we’ll start with a Reader’s Digest or CliffsNotes version of the Good News of the Bible. This will give you a quick overview of The Story. Then starting the following week, we’ll begin breaking The Story down into its key chapters. We’ll start at the beginning with Creation and work our way to the end with the re-Creation of heaven and earth. In other words, we’ll begin in the first book of the Bible named Genesis and finish with the last book of the Bible named Revelation. By doing so, you’ll get a feel for the grand scope of the Bible’s Story—The Story of God’s great Rescue through His Son Jesus Christ.
The following took place on the day of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead.
Luke 24:13-49 (NLT)
That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.
Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Keep in mind that at the time of Jesus’ Resurrection the only Scriptures available were the Old Testament (sometimes called the Hebrew Bible). This is what is referred to above as the writings of Moses and all the prophets and the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms. The New Testament with its Gospels and the Letters hadn’t been written yet. So Jesus is opening up the Old Testament to His shell-shocked followers.
What does Jesus reveal about Himself that had already been foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures?
The Story has been compiled to help you understand what Jesus taught His disciples on that first Resurrection Day. And it is our hope and prayer that you will experience the same wonder at discovering that Jesus is the Messiah (Rescuer) and that there is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look at a quick overview The Story next week and then start at the beginning with the book of Genesis and the Creation of the world.
That’s the first week of The Story. Now you will meet with your group for a Weekly Huddle to discuss the readings and your answers to the questions. Don’t forget to bring the written record of your answers and reflections with you.