5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Judges 4
Acts 8
Jeremiah 17
Mark 3
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Acts 8:35 (CSB): “Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
In Acts 8, we have the account of a man from Ethiopia who becomes a Jesus-follower after hearing Philip explain the Gospel. Yet in his Gospel presentation, Philip didn’t quote John 3:16, or Romans 5:8, or any other passage that is so often used in today’s Gospel presentations.
So, what Scripture did Philip use? He used the Scripture that the Ethiopian was reading at that time – Isaiah 53.
That point is worth pondering. Philip used an Old Testament passage to speak about Jesus and the Gospel.
Acts 8:35 (CSB): “Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture.”
Some Christians erroneously think that Jesus didn’t show up until the New Testament. That would not be true. He is all over the pages of the Old Testament.
Our verse for today makes it clear that Philip saw Jesus when he read and explained Isaiah 53. But we also observe that Jesus, Himself, used the Old Testament to talk about the Gospel and Messiah to two disciples who were walking home on that first resurrection day.
Luke 24:25-27 (CSB): “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”
In fact, Jesus wasn’t simply spoken about in the Old Testament … He literally showed up quite a few times in the books that were written long before His arrival in Bethlehem. You can read about six instances (there may be more) that I observed as I read through the book of Genesis. I titled the blog post: “Jesus in the Old Testament.”
Friend, as you read the Bible, even the Old Testament, look for Jesus. He’s there. It all points to Him. In fact, I would boldly make the claim that if you read through a passage and don’t see Jesus, then you haven’t properly understood, or fully grasped, that section of Scripture.
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Lord Jesus, I want to know You more. I want to enjoy You. I want to see You on the pages of Scripture. I want my life to be about You. I want, when people look at me, to see You. Please make all of these things and so much more true of me … for Your sake. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 