The Story of the Bible - Jesus

            Four hundred years is an extensive time in history. Technology can change dramatically, wars can change borders, and entire countries can be born and reshaped. Consider the United States is only two hundred and thirty-eight years old. From flintlock rifles and British accents to automobiles and BBC America (so the British accents are still around). Israel, after its defeat and captivity, has returned in part to the land of their fathers. Babylon was conquered by the Greeks and the Greeks by the Romans, so now Israel is under the rule of Rome. Even though, they are a nation once again, Israel is not sovereign. Though they rebuilt Solomon's temple, scripture does not tell of the Lord's presence coming to inhabit it as it did in Solomon's time. Four hundred years and Israel has changed, but they are still far from right with the world and with God.

            The latest in Tim's series, The Story of the Bible, picks up with genealogy. More specifically, the first book of the New Testament, Matthew, outlines the ancestry of Jesus. This is important because kings are included in it, as well as Abraham, the patriarch of the nation of Israel. Since His line is full of such important people and it is the first thing we are told in this book, we can immediately conclude that Jesus must be pretty important. Essentially, the geneology proves His kingship and thus, His right to reign. A little further along, this is supported when the chapter covers Jesus's birth foretold by an angel of God: "'She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name "Immanuel" (which means God with us)'" (Matthew 1:21-23). The name "Jesus" serves as another hint at his connection with history: Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means "Yahweh saves."

            By this point, Israel is looking forward to the King the prophets promised in the Old Testament, one they believed would defeat their enemies and restore their sovereignty. John the Baptist, a prophet sent by God to tell of the coming of that king, warned them that their assured place as God's chosen was not so settled as they believed. "And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:9-10)" The ones whom he warned believed God would save them because of their status as his chosen people, and did nothing to change their hearts. Jesus stressed how important the heart's attitude was in His sermon on the mount, equating anger and insult as liable to judgment as murder. "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and them come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)" Following the law would mean nothing if a man's heart was full of hate toward his own brother.

            Through the rest of the book of Matthew and the rest of the gospels, Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God. He provided hints and, at times, outright said He was God. He performed miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead, and forgiving sin. (For example, Matthew 11:1-6) His heart is open to those to whom He speaks, promising to give rest to those with heavy burdens (See Matthew 11:25-30).  In short, He is markedly different than what Israel expected in their everlasting king who would take command as a great politician and powerful war leader. And, He preached a gospel far beyond what the chief priests, Pharisees, and rulers of the day believed in. All men are equal before God, He said. Following the law of God with a heart that lusted after things other than God was pointless, He taught. Jesus would save Israel from their sins and give them a new heart to follow after God, He promised. Not just Israel, but the entire world, besides. The pharisees's power was threatened, they did not believe He was the promised king, much less the Son of God, and thus, sought his death. They succeeded in having Him killed in the most humiliating, brutal way of the time even though He was innocent of the trumped-up charges they brought against him.

            Jesus was part of God's plans from the very beginning - the genealogy points toward the fact that He is not a new addition, but the culmination of how God worked all the way down the line to bring mankind back into a relationship with Him. He would not allow sin to go unpunished, being just, and knew mankind could never save themselves. God Himself worked out the covenant He made with Abraham on His own by sending Jesus, His own son, to die in our place. This was the ultimate mystery that the disciples could not understand, even when they heard it from Jesus's own mouth as He predicted his death and the manner of it again and again. 

            And then Jesus rose from the dead upon the third day. Sin, for those who believe in Him, who follow Him, is dead. Those who confess Him and hail Him as the way, the truth, and the life are fruits of His sacrifice, His victory over death and sin. In Jesus, the serpent's head is crushed as promised in Genesis, the covenant started with Moses is fulfilled and a new covenant begun in Jesus Christ. Now, the way is made for us to know God and follow him, to be forgiven and cleansed of our sins. For Jesus came to save, yes, and fulfilled the prophesies which said he would suffer and die to accomplish that end. And the pharisees who hoped that He would come to rule and reestablish Israel as a great nation did not hope in vain - the prophecies which depict Jesus as the conquering hero who returns are just as valid. They simply have not been fulfilled yet, because it is not yet time for them to be fulfilled. They also point toward Christ establishing a universal kingdom, one not limited to Israel, but over everything and everyone who loves and follows Him. That part of the story is still ahead of them. And us.