Unveiling Jesus in Every Page: A Journey Through the Bible

Opening Remarks: “Welcome, I’m so glad you could join me today as we explore one of the most profound and powerful ways to understand the Bible—through the lens of Jesus-centered teaching.


Encouragement to Subscribe: “If you enjoyed this teaching and want to continue diving deeper into the Word of God with me, I’d love for you to subscribe to the channel. By subscribing, you’ll be the first to know when I release new content. Just click that subscribe button below, and don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an update. This is a growing community of believers, and your support helps us reach more people with the truth of God’s Word.”

Invitation to Visit the Website: “I also want to invite you to visit my website, where you can download this entire study and access all of our previous studies as well. Whether you’re looking to review what we discussed today or dive into other topics we’ve covered, everything is available for you. Just head over to
https://discoveriesanddialogue.com/, where you can download study guides, notes, and other resources designed to help you grow in your faith.”


Today, we’re going to take a journey through the Scriptures, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, to see how everything in the Bible points to Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a seasoned reader, I believe this teaching will help you see the Scriptures in a fresh, transformative way. So, grab your Bible, settle in, and let’s dive deep together.”

Overview of the Session: “Over the next hour, we’re going to break down three main areas:

1. Understanding Jesus-Centered Teaching: What does it mean to read the Bible with Jesus at the center?
   
2. The Old Testament as the Foundation: How does the Old Testament set the stage for Jesus’ coming, and why is it crucial for understanding God’s plan of redemption?
   
3. Jesus’ Use of the Old Testament: How did Jesus Himself use and reference the Old Testament in His teachings, and what does that teach us today?”
   

[Section 1: Understanding Jesus-Centered Teaching]

Introduction to Jesus-Centered Teaching: “Let’s start by unpacking what we mean when we talk about ‘Jesus-centered teaching.’ At its core, this concept is about recognizing that the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a unified narrative that centers on Jesus Christ. It’s about seeing how every part of Scripture, whether it’s a law, a prophecy, a psalm, or a story, ultimately points to Him.

This isn’t just a modern interpretation. Jesus Himself modeled this approach in His teachings, most famously on the road to Emmaus, as recorded in Luke 24. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two of His disciples as they were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They didn’t recognize Him at first, and they were confused and disheartened by the recent events. But then, in Luke 24:27 (NKJV), it says, ‘And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.'”

The Importance of Jesus-Centered Teaching: “Why is this approach so important? Well, without it, we risk reading the Bible as a series of disconnected stories or moral lessons. While the Bible does contain wisdom and ethical teachings, its primary purpose is to reveal God’s plan of redemption through Jesus. Jesus-centered teaching helps us connect the dots, so to speak, and see the big picture of what God is doing in history and in our lives.”

Illustration – The Puzzle Analogy: “Imagine you’re working on a jigsaw puzzle. You’ve got all these pieces spread out in front of you, but without the picture on the box, it’s hard to know how they all fit together. The Bible can sometimes feel like that—lots of different pieces, and it’s not always clear how they connect. But when you place Jesus at the center, it’s like having the picture on the box. Suddenly, you can see where each piece belongs and how it contributes to the overall picture. The puzzle starts to make sense, and the image becomes clear.”

[Section 2: The Old Testament as the Foundation]

Understanding the Old Testament: “Let’s move on to the Old Testament. For many people, the Old Testament can feel distant or even irrelevant. It’s full of ancient laws, genealogies, and stories that can seem disconnected from the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. But here’s the key: the Old Testament is not a separate story—it’s the foundation for everything that happens in the New Testament.

In fact, without the Old Testament, we can’t fully understand who Jesus is or why He came. The Old Testament sets the stage for Jesus by revealing God’s character, His covenant with His people, and the need for redemption. From the creation narrative in Genesis to the prophecies in Isaiah, the Old Testament is like a giant arrow pointing forward to Jesus.”

Key Themes in the Old Testament: “Let’s explore some of the key themes and how they connect to Jesus:

1. Creation and the Fall (Genesis 1-3): The Bible begins with the story of creation and the fall of humanity. God creates a perfect world, but sin enters through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. This sets up the need for a Saviour who can redeem humanity and restore what was lost. Jesus is often referred to as the ‘second Adam’ because He came to undo the curse of sin that began with Adam.
   
2. The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17): God’s covenant with Abraham is foundational. God promises Abraham that through his descendants, all nations of the earth will be blessed. This is a direct reference to Jesus, who is the ultimate fulfilment of that promise. Galatians 3:16 (NKJV) says, ‘Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.’
   
3. The Exodus and the Law (Exodus 12, 19-20): The Exodus is the story of God delivering His people from slavery in Egypt. It’s a powerful picture of redemption, and it foreshadows the ultimate redemption that Jesus would bring. The Law, given to Moses, shows us God’s standards and our inability to meet them on our own. Jesus, however, came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17, NKJV).
   
4. The Sacrificial System (Leviticus): The sacrifices in Leviticus were a way for the Israelites to atone for their sins, but they were never meant to be a permanent solution. They pointed forward to Jesus, the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29, NKJV). Hebrews 10:1 (NKJV) explains that ‘the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.’
   
5. The Prophets and the Promise of a Messiah (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, etc.): The prophets foretold the coming of a Messiah who would rescue God’s people. Isaiah 53, for example, is often called the ‘Suffering Servant’ passage, and it vividly describes the suffering and death of Jesus. In fact, many of the details of Jesus’ crucifixion are foreshadowed in this chapter.”
   

Illustration – The Shadow and Reality: “To understand this better, think about a shadow. A shadow gives you an outline or a glimpse of something real, but it’s not the full picture. The Old Testament is like the shadow—it gives us glimpses and outlines of Jesus, but the reality comes into full view in the New Testament. As Hebrews 10:1 says, ‘For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come…’

[Section 3: Jesus’ Use of the Old Testament]

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: “Now, let’s turn our focus to how Jesus used the Old Testament in His teachings. We’ve already mentioned the story of the road to Emmaus, where Jesus took His disciples through the Scriptures, showing them how everything pointed to Him (Luke 24:27, NKJV). This wasn’t a one-time event; Jesus regularly quoted and referenced the Old Testament throughout His ministry.”

Examples of Jesus Using the Old Testament: “Here are some key examples:

1. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): In this famous sermon, Jesus repeatedly says, ‘You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…’ (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, NKJV). He wasn’t contradicting the Old Testament laws but rather fulfilling them by revealing their deeper, spiritual meaning. For example, when He talked about murder, He referenced Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, but then expanded it to include anger, showing that sin starts in the heart.
   
2. The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13): When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded to each of Satan’s temptations by quoting Scripture from Deuteronomy. For instance, when Satan urged Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus replied, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”‘ (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3, NKJV). This shows us that Jesus saw the Old Testament as authoritative and as a source of spiritual strength.
   
3. Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Mark 11:15-17): When Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple, He quoted Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11, saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a “den of thieves”‘ (Mark 11:17, NKJV). Here, Jesus was not just expressing His anger at the misuse of the temple; He was aligning His actions with the prophetic words of
   

Isaiah and Jeremiah, showing that He was fulfilling their prophecies.

1. The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1-12): In this parable, Jesus told the story of a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants. When the tenants refused to pay their rent and killed the landowner’s son, Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23, saying, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ (Mark 12:10-11, NKJV). By doing this, Jesus was identifying Himself as the rejected cornerstone—the one who would be rejected by the leaders of Israel but exalted by God.
   
2. Jesus on the Cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34): As Jesus hung on the cross, He cried out, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ (Matthew 27:46, NKJV), quoting Psalm 22:1. This Psalm, written by David, is a prophetic description of the suffering of the Messiah. Jesus’ use of this Psalm shows that even in His darkest moment, He was fulfilling the Scriptures.”
   

Illustration – The Blueprint: “Think of the Old Testament as a blueprint. When you’re building something, the blueprint shows you how everything is supposed to come together. But once the building is complete, you don’t throw away the blueprint—it still holds value because it shows you the intention behind the design. The Old Testament is God’s blueprint for redemption, and Jesus is the completed building. By looking back at the blueprint, we can see how everything was designed to point to Him.”

Connecting the Dots: “When we see how Jesus used the Old Testament, it helps us connect the dots in our own reading of Scripture. We start to see that the Bible isn’t a random collection of stories but a cohesive narrative that reveals God’s plan for salvation through Jesus.”

[Section 4: Practical Application for Today] (Continued)

1. Look for Jesus in Every Passage: When you read a passage from the Old Testament, ask yourself, “How does this point to Jesus /God’s plan for redemption?” It might be through a prophecy, a foreshadowing, or even a typology. For example, the story of Joseph being sold into slavery and later rising to power can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own suffering, death, and resurrection. The Passover lamb in Exodus, whose blood saved the Israelites from death, points directly to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, NKJV).
   
2. Understand the Context: Context is key. Before jumping to conclusions about how a particular Old Testament passage relates to Jesus, make sure you understand its original context. What was the author’s intent? Who was the audience? What was happening historically at the time? Once you understand the original context, you can more accurately see how it fits into the larger story of redemption.
   
3. Use Cross-References / Hebrew and Greek word interpretation: Most Bibles have cross-references that link Old Testament passages to New Testament fulfillments. Use these tools to help you see the connections that you might otherwise miss. For instance, when reading Isaiah 53, the cross-references will likely point you to the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion. Same as reading with Hebrew and Greek words it helps you see the use of that word in different context and scenarios giving you the real meaning of these words
   
4. Pray for Insight: Before you begin reading, ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see how the Scriptures point to Jesus. Jesus Himself said in John 14:26 (NKJV), “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide, and He can help us understand the deep connections in Scripture.
   
5. Study the Whole Bible: Don’t limit yourself to just the New Testament or your favorite parts of the Old Testament. Commit to studying the entire Bible, because every part of it contributes to the full picture of who Jesus is and what He has done. The more familiar you are with the whole of Scripture, the more you’ll see how interconnected it is.
   
6. Discuss and Teach Others: One of the best ways to deepen your understanding is to discuss what you’re learning with others. Join a Bible study group, talk with friends, or even start teaching what you’ve learned. As you explain these concepts to others, you’ll find that your own understanding deepens.
   

Illustration – The Treasure Map: “Think of the Bible as a treasure map, with Jesus as the ultimate treasure. The Old Testament gives us clues and markers along the way, guiding us toward the treasure. The New Testament reveals the treasure in its fullness. But to fully appreciate the treasure, we need to follow the map from beginning to end. Skipping parts of the map might mean missing out on key clues that lead us to the deepest understanding of Jesus and His work of redemption.”

Engaging Your Audience: “At this point, I encourage you to take a moment to think about your own experience with the Bible. Have you ever felt that the Old Testament was hard to understand or disconnected from your faith in Jesus? How might your perspective change if you approached it as a foundational part of God’s plan for redemption through Christ? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear how this teaching is resonating with you.”

[Section 5: Jesus-Centered Teaching in Action]

Example 1: The Story of Jonah: “Let’s apply what we’ve learned by looking at the story of Jonah. On the surface, Jonah is a story about a prophet who runs from God, gets swallowed by a big fish, and then reluctantly preaches repentance to the city of Nineveh. But Jesus used this story to point to His own death and resurrection.

In Matthew 12:40 (NKJV), Jesus says, ‘For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’ Here, Jesus is drawing a direct parallel between Jonah’s experience and His own upcoming death, burial, and resurrection. Jonah’s time in the fish was a foreshadowing—a shadow of the reality that would come in Jesus. This shows us that even the more obscure stories in the Old Testament are part of the larger narrative that points to Christ.”

Example 2: The Bronze Serpent: “Another powerful example is found in the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:8-9 (NKJV). The Israelites, after rebelling against God, were plagued by poisonous snakes. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, and anyone who looked at it would be healed.

In John 3:14-15 (NKJV), Jesus references this event, saying, ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’ The bronze serpent was a symbol of God’s provision for healing in the midst of judgment. Jesus takes this symbol and applies it to Himself, showing that just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the serpent, we are healed from sin by looking to Jesus on the cross.”

Illustration – The Signpost: “Think of these Old Testament stories as signposts on a long journey. Each signpost points you in the direction you need to go, but the destination is Jesus. Without these signposts, we might lose our way, but when we follow them, they lead us straight to the cross and the empty tomb.”

[Section 6: The Unity of Scripture]

Understanding the Bible as One Story: “One of the most beautiful aspects of the Bible is its unity. Despite being written over the course of about 1,500 years by more than 40 different authors, the Bible tells one cohesive story. And the hero of that story is Jesus.

The Old Testament lays the groundwork by revealing God’s character, His law, and His covenant with humanity. It shows us the problem of sin and our need for a Savior. The New Testament reveals the solution—Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law, establishes a new covenant, and redeems us from sin. When we read the Bible with this unity in mind, we see that every part of Scripture is important and connected to the larger story of redemption.”

Example 3: The Passover and the Lord’s Supper: “Consider the Passover in Exodus 12. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood on their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their homes. This event was a powerful act of deliverance and became a central part of Israel’s identity.

Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper during the Passover meal. In Luke 22:19-20 (NKJV), Jesus says, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ He then takes the cup and says, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’ Jesus is showing that He is the true Passover Lamb whose blood brings ultimate deliverance from death. The Passover was not just a historical event; it was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.”

Illustration – The Bookends: “Think of the Bible as a book with two bookends. The Old Testament is one bookend that introduces the themes, characters, and events that will come to completion in the New Testament, the other bookend. Without both bookends, the story would be incomplete and lack structure. But with both in place, the story is held together beautifully, revealing the full scope of God’s plan for humanity.”

[Section 7: Conclusion and Call to Action]

Summarizing the Journey: “As we come to the end of this session, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve covered. We’ve explored the concept of Jesus-centered teaching and seen how the Old Testament is foundational for understanding God’s plan of redemption. We’ve looked at specific examples of how Jesus used the Old Testament in His own teaching and how we can apply these principles to our own study of Scripture.

The Bible is not just a collection of ancient texts; it’s a living, breathing document that reveals God’s love and His plan for our salvation through Jesus Christ. By approaching the Bible with Jesus at the center, we open ourselves up to a deeper, more transformative understanding of God’s Word.”

Call to Action: “So, what’s next? I want to challenge you to take what you’ve learned today and put it into practice. Start by reading through the Old Testament with fresh eyes, looking for the ways it points to Jesus. Use the tools and techniques we discussed—such as cross-referencing, understanding context, and praying for insight—to dig deeper into the Scriptures.

Consider sharing what you’ve learned with others. Whether it’s through a Bible study group, teaching a class

Encouragement to Subscribe: “If you enjoyed this teaching and want to continue diving deeper into the Word of God with me, I’d love for you to subscribe to the channel. By subscribing, you’ll be the first to know when I release new content. Just click that subscribe button below, and don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an update. This is a growing community of believers, and your support helps us reach more people with the truth of God’s Word.”

Invitation to Visit the Website: “I also want to invite you to visit my website, where you can download this entire study and access all of our previous studies as well. Whether you’re looking to review what we discussed today or dive into other topics we’ve covered, everything is available for you. Just head over to https://discoveriesanddialogue.com/, where you can download study guides, notes, and other resources designed to help you grow in your faith.”

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