“Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
— Luke 24:27 (LSB)
The Study
The scene on the road to Emmaus is one of the most moving moments in the Gospels. Two disciples, hearts heavy and hopes dim, walk away from Jerusalem after the crucifixion. They had believed Jesus was the One who would redeem Israel, but now the tomb stood as a sealed reminder of their loss.
Then a stranger joins them. He listens. And when they finish, the greatest Bible study in history begins.
Jesus explains “the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” He does not pull a few verses out of context; He walks through Moses and the Prophets and shows how every thread, every promise, sacrifice, and shadow, points to Him. The entire story of Scripture was preparing the world for the Son of God to take on flesh, bear sin, and rise again.
Reading the Bible this way changes us. The stories aren’t disconnected morals but one great redemption story. In Christ, the pieces come together and God’s plan shines.
Abraham and Isaac: The Father and the Son
Abraham’s test on Moriah reveals the heart of God. Isaac, the son of promise, was laid on the altar, yet God stayed Abraham’s hand and provided a substitute. Abraham named the place, “The Lord will provide.”
Centuries later, on that same mountain range, the Father did not spare His Son. The ram in the thicket foreshadowed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. What Abraham glimpsed in shadow, God fulfilled in full light.
Joseph: The Innocent Sufferer
Betrayed, sold, falsely accused, forgotten, Joseph’s life reads like a chain of injustices until God’s purpose emerges: “You meant evil… but God meant it for good.” Through Joseph’s suffering, many were saved.
In Joseph we see Christ: betrayed, condemned without cause, then exalted. He forgave His enemies and brought salvation to those who wronged Him. In God’s hands, suffering serves His glory and our good.
The Tabernacle: God Dwelling Among His People
The tabernacle details can feel tedious, until we see their purpose. Light, bread, altar, priesthood, each reveals God’s character and our need. John tells us the Word “tabernacled” among us. Jesus is the true meeting place of heaven and earth; through Him, God dwells with His people forever.
The Rock in the Wilderness: Struck for Our Thirst
Moses struck the rock and water flowed. Paul later writes, “the Rock was Christ.” He was struck once for all; from Him flows living water that satisfies forever. Now we speak, not strike, and receive grace by faith.
The Passover Lamb
Judgment passed over the homes marked with a lamb’s blood. John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” His blood covers not doorposts but hearts. Our freedom rests not in strength or effort, but in His finished work.
Jonah: The Prophet Who Ran
Jonah fled; God pursued. Three days in the fish pointed to Christ’s burial and resurrection. Where Jonah resisted mercy, Jesus willingly came to seek and save. Even Jonah’s weakness highlights the wideness of God’s grace.
Bringing It Together
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one story: redemption in Christ. Abraham and Isaac show the Father’s costly love. Joseph shows salvation through suffering. The tabernacle shows God with us. The rock shows the sufficiency of His sacrifice. The Passover reveals the power of His blood. Jonah displays mercy for the undeserving.
All the shadows find their substance in Jesus. The cross stands at the center; the empty tomb declares that every promise has been kept. When we read the Bible this way, our hearts burn like theirs did on the road to Emmaus. Every page leads us to Christ.
Reflection:
- How does seeing Christ throughout Scripture change the way you read the Bible?
- Which Old Testament shadow helps you appreciate His work more deeply?
- How might this shape your trust in God in your present circumstances?
Scripture quotations are from the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation and The Three Sixteen Publishing, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Want to go deeper? If this study helped you, Pastor Tim has preached a series called Shadows of the Savior. We’d be glad to send you links to the videos, and, if you’d like, the sermon notes as well.
Email pastor@ourpleasantgrove.org and let us know if you’d like the videos, the notes, or both.