The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Worshipping God in Transition

Paula K. Graves

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April 17, 2026

We see Abram worshipping God in transition. God had called him, by grace, out of Ur and idolatry. God had promised to make him a great nation even though he and Sarai were childless. Moreover, God promised to make him a blessing to all families on earth.

After Abram entered Canaan, God made another promise. Genesis 12:5b When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.[1]

Altar at Moreh

When Abram first reached the promised land, he camped by the oak of Moreh. Pagans often worshipped in groves of trees, considering them sacred. Moreh means teacher.[2] God chose this stronghold of idols to reveal His presence and grant His blessings to Abram.

Here, Abram built an altar to worship God for the promises he had received. Abram had an altar but no idol, which must have confused his neighbors. He boldly worshipped his God and proclaimed His name in a Canaanite place of worship and instruction. This is a model for us. We, too, need to worship and proclaim God’s name and authority over places of idol worship and teaching.

Altar at Bethel

After his worship at the Oak of Moreh, Abram picked up his tent stakes and moved again. Genesis 12: 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.[3] Even though he had moved, Abram continued to worship God.

Often, place names have significance, and here I think the names describe what is happening to Abram. ‘Bethel means “the house of God,” and Ai means “ruin.” Figuratively speaking, Abraham and Sarah were walking in the light, from east to west, from the city of ruin to the house of God!” [4]

Praise from a Tent

Even though God had promised Abram’s descendants land, Abram continued to live in a temporary tent. The only land he would ever own was Sarai’s burial plot. Yet, we see Abram worshipping God in transition. He provides a model for us.

Hebrews 11: 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. [5] To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 12:7–8). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 19). Victor Books.

The Trap of Compromise

Paula K. Graves

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April 16, 2026

Abram (Abraham) fell into the trap of compromise as God called him. Stephen gives us insight into the call of Abram. Acts 7:2bOur glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. 3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’[1]

Abram was to leave all he knew for an unknown destination. This included leaving his land and his relatives. Abram was obedient to leave his land, but he took his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot. They also stopped at Haran, even though Canaan was the original destination (Genesis 11: 31).

Haran

Terah appeared to be on board with Abram’s call as they moved from Ur in what is now southern Iraq. But they stopped in Haran, which is in modern Turkey. “The journey halted in Haran, about six hundred miles north of Ur. The people who lived in Haran were essentially the same racially, religiously, and linguistically as those who lived in Ur.”[2] Both cities worshipped the moon god.

Scripture doesn’t tell us why they stopped at Haran. Perhaps Terah was ill, or maybe that was as much change as the family could handle. Did Abram stay in Haran as a concession to his father’s religion? We wonder. After Terah died, either Abram remembered God’s original call or God reissued it.

Genesis 12: 1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth.[3]

Consequences of Compromise

The time in Haran delayed Abram’s arrival in Canaan. The inclusion of Lot turned out to be a thankless distraction. Abram had to rescue Lot during a war and intercede for him during the destruction of Sodom. The people we surround ourselves with have a significant influence. We don’t have the option to choose our family. God knew how Abram’s family would hinder him and instructed him to leave them.

We have a choice in friends and must choose our friends wisely. 1 Corinthians 15:33bbad company corrupts good character.[4] God was calling Abram to a new life, but Abram brought some of the old with him. Warren Wiersbe gives great insight: “Whatever you bring with you from the old life into the new is likely to create problems.”[5] This is the trap of compromise. God gives His instructions to protect us; when we don’t follow them, we create problems for ourselves.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Smith, J. E. (1993). The Pentateuch (2nd ed., p. 115). College Press Pub. Co.

[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 16). Victor Books.

Transitions Requires Trusting God’s Promises

Tom Graves

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April 15, 2026

Transitions require trusting God’s promises and looking to Him instead of relying on our own strength or understanding as we move through life’s journey. The life of Abram, whom the Lord renamed Abraham, is an ongoing journey of learning to trust in God’s promises.

As the Lord told Abram to go to a new land, He made several promises. God’s first promise was guidance to the new land. But there was more. Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” [1]  

Abram put his trust and faith in God into action. Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. [2] Sometimes we ask, “Can I have the courage and strength to trust God’s promises when he calls me into a transition?” I believe we can, as we rely on God rather than on ourselves.

God’s Plan is For Us to Trust Him

God’s Word tells us that He has a plan for our lives. Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [3] We grow in our relationship with God as we look to His Word. As we seek God, it is through Scripture that we can know the path He has for us. The Lord leads us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are also times when God breaks into our lives and gives divine direction, as He did with Abram. As we are in a time of transition, directed by the Lord, we may also be in a time of uncertainty. It is at this time that we need to stay close to the Lord through His Word and prayer. Scripture gives insight into how vital it is to trust Him as He guides our path. Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. [4]

As people, we can be easily overwhelmed, so God does not blaze our path with a searchlight but with a simple lamp that guides us step by step. I find it much easier to trust God when I focus on today and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Trusting Jesus in Our Time of Need

Sometimes, life’s events can be confusing, and it’s during these moments that faith in God brings a peace that’s difficult to understand. Many people have encountered such times. Life’s most profound transition doesn’t come at the beginning but at the end. The beginning of one’s spiritual journey is indeed a transition. But a larger one comes when we depart from this life.

John 3:16For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[5] What about you? Is the Lord calling you to trust Him more deeply as you navigate life’s transitions?

To learn how transition requires trusting God’s promises, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Transition Requires Leaving the Familiar

Tom Graves

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April 14, 2026

Transitions require leaving the familiar and often result in spiritual transformation. This is why they are so challenging. Leaving the familiar behind calls us to move beyond established comforts, certainties, and mindsets to embrace an unknown future. To do this, we must be grounded in trust in God’s promise or leading. This process is central to God’s spiritual growth and transformation in our lives.

The story of Abram in the Bible is an excellent lesson from God, teaching us many things, especially about leaving the familiar behind. Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. [1]

The writer of Hebrews offers additional insight into Abraham’s transition, underscoring the importance of walking by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.[2]

The Stumbling Block of Leaving the Familiar

Leaving the familiar is often a great challenge and can be a stumbling block to moving forward in faith. The word ‘familiar’ is French in origin and is tied to the word ‘family.’ It would have been brutal for Abram to leave his country and his relatives. The only way he could do this without understanding the broader picture was to trust God and walk by faith.

During your spiritual journey, you may encounter moments when God tests your devotion and asks whether you are genuinely committed. Sometimes, He calls you to step away from what’s familiar and enter into unknown territory. God’s call doesn’t always require us to leave our family or job. But it has happened often in church history. God may ask us to let go of emotional attachments. When He does so, it’s rarely easy.

Anyone claiming that living by faith is simple probably has not experienced it firsthand. What do you do when God calls you to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar and doesn’t show you the final destination? Do you resist? Do you move reluctantly? Or do you implicitly trust His goodness amid every conflict and decision and move forward by faith?

God Brings Us to a Time of New Familiarity

As we walk along our spiritual journey, God often calls us to leave the familiar for something new He has for us. The good news is that, over time, what God has for us, although new and different, will become familiar. Making time to study God’s Word may require leaving something behind. As time goes by, the time you spend studying and meditating on God’s Word becomes familiar. At that point, you can’t imagine going back to your previous life patterns.

Abram would eventually arrive in Canaan, and it would become familiar to him and a place he would come to love. I have discovered in my life that the journey of faith is a process. Like Abram, you and I are under construction, with ongoing changes guided by our Savior.

To learn how transition requires leaving the familiar, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Transitions May Begin with Small Steps

Tom Graves

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April 13, 2026

Transitions may begin with small steps, much like a child learning to walk. Learning to walk is a process, and small steps often mark transitions, as we see in Abram’s life. God called Abram (Abraham) to make the most significant transition of his life.Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.[1]

Stephen offers further insight into how Abram responded to the Lord’s guidance as he recounts Israel’s history. Acts 7:4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live. [2] Haran served as a halfway point on the 1,200-mile journey from Ur to Canaan.

Haran was more than a geographical milestone; it was a significant trade hub where Abram’s family settled for a time. This period in Haran became especially notable because Abram’s father, Terah, died there. As a result, the family’s journey to the promised land was delayed until after Terah’s death, marking Haran as a place of both transition and waiting on the path God had set before Abram. Is there an area of your life where the Lord is asking you to take a step in obedience as He transitions your life?

Transformation as I take Steps of Faith

Transition may begin with small steps because the Lord is transforming us even as He calls us to walk by faith. In Genesis 12:1, it is translated that God “had said” to Abram to leave your native country. Why is this important? Translators use “had said” because the events of Genesis 12:1-3 chronologically refer to an earlier command given to Abram while he was in Ur. This was before he came to Haran with his father Terah (Genesis 11:31-32).

The narrative in chapter 12 begins by essentially flashing back to the divine call that initiated Abram’s journey. The first steps of faith are not always giant steps, as we would like. This explains why Abraham did not fully obey the Lord. Instead of leaving his family and going to Canaan, Abram took his father and Lot, then stopped halfway in Haran. Both Ur and Haran shared a similar pagan culture, centered on the prominent moon god Sin, who symbolized wisdom, fertility, and divination.

As God transformed Abram, he would have understood why taking relatives with him and stopping halfway was not a good idea. As we walk by faith, we might not understand the steps of faith God is asking us to take, but we must simply trust Him.

God Does Not Waste Our Small Steps of Faith

As we take baby steps of faith, we learn to trust God even when we don’t understand why. The journey of Abram mirrors that of many believers as God transforms them along the way. Proverbs 16:9The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. [3] This verse notes that while we plan, God establishes our steps, implying He works through our incremental movements. This was true of Abram, and it is true in our lives as well.

To learn how transitions may begin with small steps, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Pr 16:9). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

God’s Transitions Require Obedience

Tom Graves

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April 12, 2026

God’s transitions require obedience as we choose to follow His will rather than our own. Jesus describes God’s will as the narrow road. Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [1]

The Lord called Abram to leave his home and go to a place He would guide him to. Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him.[2]

According to our text, God told Abram to leave his home and go to a new home to fulfill the plans the Lord had for him. Although it is a gift to hear the voice of the Lord, it takes obedience to respond to that voice. As you quiet yourself, what is the Lord speaking to you about that requires an obedient heart?

Lord, Help Me Be Obedient

Have you ever asked the Lord for strength to be obedient? In life, there are many distractions and temptations, and we need God’s strength to follow Him. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. [3] As you reflect on that verse, you may want to turn it into a prayer asking for guidance. “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your Holy Spirit lead me on level ground!”

It is often in God’s strength that we move forward in life, not in our own strength. Moving forward in life on the path the Lord has for us is a spiritual battle, and our enemy, Satan, fights us at every step. As we begin to understand the struggle we are in, it becomes clear how much we need the Lord’s strength. As you read this, is the Lord prompting you to seek His strength?

Obedience to God Affects Others

As we follow the Lord through transitions, those around us are always affected because blessings follow obedience. This is seen in the life of Abraham. Often, it is only in hindsight that we see how being obedient to God’s calling affects those around us.

When I felt called by God to change professions and become a pastor in my mid-thirties, my wife and I had no idea how this would change the lives of our three small children. Thirty years have now passed, and the Lord not only changed my wife and me but also the lives of our children as they grew up. As we step into God’s plans, the narrow road may not be easy, but it will transform us, enabling us to be a light for others. God’s transitions require obedience; to learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-god-says-go

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation Tyndale House Publishers.

Good News to Share

Paula K. Graves

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April 11, 2026

As the story of the Emmaus disciples comes to a close, they have good news to share. They had unknowingly walked with Jesus from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about seven miles. As they walked along, Jesus showed them how the prophets had foretold that the Messiah would have to suffer before coming into His glory.

Sharing Hospitality

As they reached Emmaus, it must have been nearly evening. Walking after dark would have been dangerous. They prized hospitality in their culture, so common courtesy caused them to invite this man, whom they thought they had just met, in for a meal and the night. Luke 24: 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” [1] So, Jesus went home with them. Besides, the conversation could continue if He were to stay for a meal and a night’s lodging.

Their meal was probably not communion but just a meal with a friend. Usually, the host had the honor of breaking the bread, but Jesus had the honor here. At this point, God opened their eyes, and they realized their companion was none other than Jesus. Jesus had accomplished His mission with these two and vanished.

Amazing Good News

As they realized what had happened, they knew the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was too good to keep to themselves. Luke 24: 33 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, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[2]

They would have considered the roads too dangerous to walk an hour before. Now, they hurriedly retraced their steps back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. When they arrived, the disciples had more news for them. Peter had seen the Lord. Another confirmation that Jesus had indeed risen.

Do You Have Good News to Share?

Does the resurrection of Jesus only seem ho-hum to you, or do you have Good News to share with others? Does your heart burn with the reality of God, or has it grown cold? God allows and encourages you to turn back to Him and let the truth of  Jesus warm your heart. If you are willing to spend time with Jesus, He will reverse the cooling process and heat your heart.

A changed heart results in action. The Emmaus disciples were willing to travel seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell their friends they had seen Jesus. Let the Lord guide you to who and how to share the Good News of Jesus. Look for divine appointments as you go about your daily routine. Be ready for the Lord to work in surprising ways through you.

May the Good News of the resurrection of Jesus spur you to action today. To hear more about Good News to share, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

Hope Lost and Regained

Paula K. Graves

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April 10, 2026

The story of the two disciples returning to Emmaus from Jerusalem in Luke 24:13-34 is a story of hope lost and regained. Their spiritual journey can help us on our spiritual journey today.

Jesus Helped the Disciples Regain Lost Hope

As our story begins, Cleopas and his companion, who may even have been his wife, are disappointed and discouraged. Jesus has joined them in their walk, but the two don’t recognize Jesus and feel free to explain. Luke 24: 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.[1] 

As they walked, Jesus explained that all of Scripture shows how the Messiah must suffer before His glorification. When they reached their destination, they invited Jesus in. Luke: 9 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.[2] They only recognized Jesus when He blessed the bread. Then Jesus disappeared.

At this unexpected, surprising turn of events, the two begin discussing what happened. Luke: 32 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?” [3] They now understood that the cross had been a necessary part of Jesus’ work. It would pay the price for their sins. But the cross wasn’t the end; no, Jesus rose from the dead. They now had their hope renewed.

We May Need to Regain Lost Hope

Our journey in life may be like the journey of the Emmaus disciples. In this sinful world, there is sorrow, and we may not understand why we suffer along the way. When we draw near to Jesus, there is a gradual dawning of the light. The Holy Spirit enables this. We begin to trust that God is in control and has a plan for us. He will come in surprising ways that we don’t expect. But Jesus will change our hearts and, thus, change how we act.

Steps to Regain Lost Hope

First, bring your sorrows and questions to God. You can be honest with Him; His shoulders are big enough to handle anything. Second, begin to search the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Third, expect God to answer and assist you. Realize that this will probably come in a way you don’t expect. God loves to surprise His children. But God loves us and sent His Son to die for our sins to restore our relationship with Him.

God works uniquely with each of us, so don’t expect Him to work with you as He did with a friend. Just like the Emmaus disciples had a story of hope lost and regained, Jesus will do the same for you. To hear more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

[1-3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

Were Not Our Hearts Burning?

Paula K. Graves

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April 9, 2026

There’s a saying, cold hands, warm heart. The disciples walking with Jesus to Emmaus said, “were not our hearts burning within us?” A warm heart generally means someone kind, loving, and sympathetic. Here, the disciples’ hearts were not only warm but burning.

God’s Presence is Often Associated with Fire

God shows Himself in fire often in the Bible. God called Moses from a burning bush. After the exodus, God gave the tablets of the Law. Fire and lightning showed the Lord’s presence on the mountain. In the wilderness, a pillar of fire showed His presence. At Pentecost, tongues of fire demonstrated the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples’ hearts, not the muscle-pumping blood but their inner being, were not only warmed but burned as they listened to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus, also known as Immanuel or God with us, gave them insight into Scripture. This affected the disciples to the point where they could physically feel it.

A Burning Heart Versus a Cold Heart

If the disciples on the road to Emmaus had had cold hearts, they would have been indifferent toward Jesus’ teaching. They wouldn’t have even cared about what Jesus said. Instead, they invited Jesus in for a meal, perhaps to hear even more of His teaching.

We can smother and put out a physical fire. This can also happen in the spiritual realm. Unbelief will quench a spiritual fire. Paul warned the church in Thessalonica of this possibility. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.[1] 

How Can We Have Burning Hearts for Jesus?

On the way to Emmaus, the disciples spent time with Jesus, even though they didn’t realize it until after Jesus disappeared. We, too, can spend time with Jesus as we read Scripture. When we ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding Scripture, God’s presence will be with us.

We can also follow the exact instructions that Paul gave the Thessalonian church. Rejoice and praise God. Pray continually and give thanks in every circumstance. As we invite Jesus to come through the Holy Spirit, we will not quench the Spirit, and we will open our hearts to the presence of the Lord Himself.

May you be able to say with the Emmaus disciples, “Were not our hearts burning?” as you spend time with the Lord this week. To hear more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

[1]Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Read the Old Testament Through the Lens of Jesus

Paula K. Graves

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April 8, 2026

Many people don’t bother to read the Old Testament because we have the New Testament. But what if we read the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus? Why would we do such a thing? Jesus tells us to.

Jesus Says the Old Testament Points to Him

Jesus had just joined two disciples returning home after being in Jerusalem for Passover. They didn’t recognize Jesus but shared that they were disappointed that Jesus died. Luke 24:25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.[1]

The Jews had developed their theology about the Messiah. They wanted him to be a political king who would overcome their enemies. They emphasized the Scriptures that pointed to this and ignored other Scriptures that didn’t fit their idea. As the three walked to Emmaus, Jesus explained how the Messiah would suffer.

We would love to have this teaching recorded, but it is not in the Bible. What Scripture did Jesus use to point to the need for the cross? Perhaps Jesus taught on Isaiah 53, the suffering servant, Psalm 22, which describes crucifixion, or Zechariah 9, which predicts His triumphant ride into Jerusalem and speaks of a new blood covenant.

We Need to Use the Lens of Jesus to Read the Old Testament

It is easy to accuse these first-century Jews of reading Scripture through the wrong end of the telescope. But as sinful humans, we do similar things. We interpret Scripture through our worldview, as we each have biases. It is easy to let our favorite Bible teacher or denominational theology interpret the Bible for us. But I think God did not record Jesus’ teaching on the road to Emmaus so that we will dig into the Bible for ourselves.

God loves when His children spend time with Him, and one way to do this is by reading and meditating on Scripture. He has given us the full complement of the Old and New Testaments for a reason. Good Bible teachers are undoubtedly helpful, but we need to be in the Word daily, if possible. We can pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we read.

John 16: 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.[2] 

We’ve used the lens of Jesus to re-read the Old Testament to develop this Lenten series. As we look at Holy Days God commanded His people to celebrate 1400 years before Jesus was born, we see that they foreshadow what Jesus will do on the cross. What a God we serve! To hear more about how to read the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection

[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

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