Pointing to Jesus
Jesus said: “ ‘You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me’ ” (John 5:39, NKJV). What do the following Old Testament texts tell us about Jesus? Ps. 16:9, 10; 41:9; Isa. 53:4–6; Mic. 5:2.
Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day” (John 8:56), “Moses . . . wrote about Me” (John 5:46, NKJV), and “David [called Me] Lord” (Matt. 22:45). He began His ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth with the words of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor” (Isa. 61:1, NKJV). Jesus then said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21, NKJV). Jesus knew that the Old Testament was replete with references to Him. He was the central figure in Israel’s hope.
The biblical authors from Moses to the apostle John directed their readers to the One who would come first to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21) and a second time to deliver them from the presence of sin (Rev. 21:4).
Following in the footsteps of the biblical prophets, Ellen White consistently pointed people to their Savior Jesus Christ. “Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 9. And she admonished ministers to make Christ the center of everything. “Put Christ into every sermon. Let the preciousness, mercy, and glory of Jesus Christ be dwelt upon until Christ is formed within, the hope of glory.”—Evangelism, p. 186.
Repeatedly she emphasized that Jesus was very real to her. “I know my Saviour loves me, and I love my Jesus. I rest in His love, notwithstanding my imperfections.” —Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, p. 245. Jesus was the center of her ministry. “The object of all ministry,” she said, “is to keep self out of sight, and to let Christ appear. The exaltation of Christ is the great truth that all who labor in word and doctrine are to reveal.”—Selected Messages, book 1, p. 155.
| Forgetting for a moment about doctrine and theology, ask yourself this basic question: How well do I know Jesus? What does your answer tell you about yourself and your spiritual life? What changes might you need to make? |
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