The Uniqueness of ChristExemplo

8/Unique in his Panoramic Prophetic Proclamation

We often think of Jesus as only appearing in the New Testament, especially the gospels or the apostolic letters. But his person is actually embedded in every book of the Bible. Sometimes directly, sometimes through parable, sometimes through the sacrificial system, sometimes through prophecy or poetry.

After he rose from the dead, Jesus showed two disciples  ‘in all the Scriptures’ that it was necessary for him to suffer crucifixion and then to enter his glory (Luke 24:26). Obviously, he was referring to the Old Testament. 

For example, in the very beginning, there is a promise that a descendant of Eve would bruise the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15). This promise is defined more clearly when God tells Abraham that a descendant of his will bring blessings to all nations (Gen 12:2; 17:19).

From Exodus to Deuteronomy, the whole sacrificial system tells us again and again that one day there would be a perfect sacrifice for sin and that a prophet greater than Moses would appear (Deut 18:15). 

In the Psalms, Jesus is presented as the suffering Saviour who dies for us (Psalm 22), as the King of Glory coming into his holy temple (Psalm 24:7) and as an eternal priest and king (Psalm 110).

In Isaiah, there are astonishing prophecies of a Saviour whose name would be Immanuel—God with us—who would be the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace (Is 7:14; 9:6). In other words, he would be both God and man. Moreover, he would also take away our sins by bearing them himself and suffering in our place (Is 53). 

Then, at the end of the Bible, in Revelation, Jesus is clearly identified as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is seen in astonishing images as holy, righteous and victorious. He is the Lamb who suffers and the Lion who reigns. 

The hosts of heaven and earth sing till the earth resounds with the majesty of it:

Worthy are you… for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth…  Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever! (Rev 5:9-13).

Let’s join in the song!

What next?

As you pray today, why not ask God to fill your heart with a fresh revelation of Jesus? See Eph1:15-23. 

If you haven’t come across them yet, for more on the uniqueness of Christ follow the You Version Bible Plans entitled The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, See the Invisible: Do the Impossible and Amazing Grace. You can also find the written panorama of Christ in All the Scriptures on my website www.barrychant.com