I have been in some terrific Bible studies in my time (Truth be told, I’ve been in some largely-forgettable ones as well!). The best studies are always those where I feel like I have learned something exciting about my God, where I have been challenged in my faith, where I have been drawn closer to my fellow-believers and where I have been motivated to worship. Tall order, but it has been my experience more often than not.
One Bible study I truly wish I was part of took place on the road to Emmaus on Easter morning—the first Easter morning. The Gospel of Luke records how Jesus, unrecognized by His disciples, shared with them “all the scriptures said concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Wow! Can you imagine that study—taught by Jesus Himself, laying out all that was written in the Old Testament that spoke of Him? Now that would be a great study!
What were some of the things that Jesus pointed to from the Old Testament that witnessed about Him? Obviously, we do not know, since the biblical authors did not include it, but we can assume it relates to the following:
1. Jesus as the “center” of the plot. Many people do not read the Bible as if it has a “plot” or storyline as other books. But the biblical authors were telling a story—a true story—of what God has done in this world. And the highpoint, the focus, the climax is Jesus Christ. All Scripture speaks of Him in one way or another, since He is the center of the story.
2. Direct verbal prophecies. Online it is easy to find long lists of Old Testament prophecies which Jesus fulfilled. Depending on how you count them, there are anywhere between 300 and 600 individual prophecies made in the Old Testament that came true in Jesus. That’s a lot of material!
3. Indirect typological prophecies. As frequent as the direct verbal prophecies are, however, in the Old Testament, there is a lot more taking place in Israel’s history. As a way of anticipating the Person and work of Jesus, the Old Testament storyline itself points to Jesus. The Kingship, priesthood, sacrificial system, Mosaic Law, prophetic office, possession of the land and so much more all points to and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
4. Christophanies. Remember the “fourth man” who appeared in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)? Remember Joshua meeting the commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5)? These and various other events record the appearance of the Son of God upon the earth in Old Testament times.
This week we will imagine what it must have been like being in that Bible study on the road to Emmaus. In preparation for worship on Sunday morning, read Luke 24:13-35.
- In verse 16, we are told that the disciples “were kept from recognizing” Jesus. What things/beings could keep them from recognizing Jesus? Of those options, what do you think is the most credible?
- What stands out from Cleopas’s description of Jesus’ ministry (verse 18-20)? What stands out from the description of the resurrection (verse 21-24)?
- Why would Jesus refer to the disciples as “foolish ones” (verse 25)? Is that really a fair description of one’s disbelief in the resurrection?
- What do you imagine are some of the biblical texts Jesus referenced in His Bible study with the disciples in verse 27, where “beginning with Moses… He interpreted all the scriptures the things concerning Himself?”
- What is it in verse 31 that causes their eyes to be opened? What does Jesus do or say that “opens their eyes?”
By Henry Knapp