Finding Jesus First: Read Scripture within the Story of Redemption
Read the passage carefully and look for the Savior within Scripture's larger story. Let knowing Christ deepen your gratitude and strengthen the life you draw from the lesson.
#364 — Finding Jesus First - How Scripture comes to life when we make it more about Christ than ourselves.
Mar 3, 2025
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
Read more than a lesson about yourself
Most of us have a lesson ready when we open a familiar Bible story. David faces Goliath, so I need courage. Job suffers, so I need patience. Those are useful lessons, and I don't want to lose them. But I also want to ask a question before making myself the center of every passage: what am I learning about God and the Savior He gives us? Scripture offers more than help becoming a stronger version of myself. It tells the story of a rescue I could never accomplish on my own.
In Luke 24:25–27, Jesus explains the Scriptures to two discouraged travelers in light of Himself. Later, in verses 44–47, He speaks about His suffering, resurrection, and the message to be proclaimed. That changes the way I want to read. I want to understand the passage in front of me and see its place in what God is doing through Jesus. Some connections are expressly made in the New Testament. Others are helpful comparisons. We can appreciate both while being honest about the difference and patient with readers who see a comparison differently.
Follow the witness about creation and light
Begin where John begins. John 1:1–5 takes us back to creation and introduces the Word who is with God and is God. All things come into being through Him. Life and light belong to this wonderful picture of the Son who enters our world. Reading Genesis with John in mind can deepen our wonder. The Lord we meet in the gospel is no late addition to God's purpose. Before we start asking what creation teaches us about our own schedules or abilities, give attention to the Creator.
Second Corinthians 4:6 makes another connection: the God who commands light to shine brings the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Creation helps us appreciate saving understanding. Jesus isn't the physical light made in Genesis 1; He is the eternal Word. Keep that clear, then enjoy what Scripture helps you see. The God who supplies what the world needs also supplies what sinners need. That gives Bible reading a reason for praise before it becomes a list of things to improve.
Receive courage from a champion's victory
Now read First Samuel 17. Israel's soldiers are afraid, and David goes out trusting the Lord. His courage matters, and we should learn from it. But don't rush so quickly to 'I need to be David' that you miss everyone receiving help from his victory. After Goliath falls, the soldiers advance. Someone else wins the battle that had left them afraid. Their courage follows a victory they did not accomplish. That movement gives us another useful way to consider the story and the help God provides.
It reminds me of Jesus. I need courage, but first I need the Savior who defeats the enemy I cannot defeat by myself. His greater victory gives me reason to stand and follow. That is a comparison to appreciate, rather than a claim that every detail of David's battle is expressly identified as prophecy. Stay close to the account. We don't need to invent details about David's earlier encounters with a lion or bear. The story is already rich enough to deepen trust and gratitude.
Let Job remain Job
Job gives us another place to read patiently. Job 1:20–22 and 2:9–10 describe faithful responses without sin in those scenes. His grief does not immediately become a rejection of God. That is worth noticing when we think about endurance. But read through the whole book. In Job 42:1–6, he acknowledges speaking about matters beyond his understanding and responds humbly to the Lord. Admiring his faithfulness should leave room for his limitations. The same person can offer a powerful example and still have something to learn.
That difference helps us appreciate Jesus. Job is a faithful servant; Christ is the sinless Son. We can reflect on suffering, accusation, and trust without making their stories identical. I don't have to make Job perfect before his experience can turn my attention toward the Savior. In fact, seeing the difference helps. Every human example eventually brings us back to our need for someone greater. We need Christ's faithful life and saving sacrifice, as well as encouragement to keep learning from the servants who trust God.
Notice the prayer for those who accused him
Notice the end of Job, too. In Job 42:7–9, God rebukes Eliphaz and his two friends, tells them to bring offerings, and says Job will pray for them. Elihu is not included in that stated rebuke. Read carefully enough to preserve what is there. People who accused Job now need his prayer. That is a remarkable turn. The man whose suffering they misunderstood becomes part of the help they are instructed to seek. Don't hurry past that part of the account.
That prayer can turn our thoughts toward the help Jesus provides, though Job doesn't supply Christ's final sacrifice or redemption. Hebrews 4:14–16 gives direct teaching about our great High Priest. He understands weakness, remains without sin, and gives us reason to approach for mercy and help. Let the comparison lead you there. We can appreciate a scene in an earlier story and then rest our confidence in the New Testament's clear promises. What begins as a thoughtful connection becomes gratitude for the Savior we actually have.
Be honest about the connection you're making
So how do we keep this kind of reading useful? Begin with the words on the page. Who is speaking, who is listening, and what is happening? Read the surrounding verses. Then ask whether the New Testament makes a connection to Christ or whether a broader pattern reminds you of Him. The strength of the connection should shape how firmly you state it. Saying 'This reminds me of Jesus' can be an honest, helpful observation without becoming a claim about an explicit prediction.
We don't need to compete for the most surprising discovery. An elaborate explanation may attract attention and still rest on something the passage never emphasizes. Nor do we need to make every faithful reader find the same comparison. Let Scripture guide and correct the reading. Where an apostle identifies fulfillment, receive it confidently. Where you're reflecting on a similarity, describe it plainly. That honesty doesn't take the joy out of seeing Christ. It helps the joy rest on something worth trusting.
Let seeing the Savior help you follow
Romans 15:4 says earlier Scripture gives instruction, endurance, encouragement, and hope. Looking for the Savior doesn't leave practical obedience behind. It gives obedience a grateful beginning. I am learning to follow the God who acts for His people, and I am thankful for the Son who supplies the rescue I need. Courage, patience, humility, and service still belong in the lesson. We receive them with a better understanding of whose goodness makes faithful life possible and whose word deserves our attention.
Try reading one familiar passage again this week. Ask what it says in its own setting, what it helps you appreciate about God's saving purpose, and what response follows. Read slowly enough to notice something you usually skip. Thank the Lord for what you see, and be willing to study a question further. Then make the next faithful decision. We want more than an interesting connection to discuss. We want clearer understanding, deeper gratitude, and a life more willing to follow Jesus. You might write down the verses that establish the connection and share them with someone. Let the conversation stay open, with enough humility to learn and enough joy to appreciate what God has revealed.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What does this passage actually say in its setting?
- 02How does it help you appreciate God's saving work in Christ?
- 03What response should follow your gratitude?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.
