The bible is not a series of disconnected stories
It is a single narrative in which every story, every character
points beyond itself to one who is greater.
The story of Adam and Eve is not just about the first man and woman...
there is a true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden
and whose obedience is ascribed to us.
There is a true and better Abel who, though innocently slain,
has blood that cries out, not for our condemnation,
but for our acquittal.
There is a true and better Abraham who answered the call of God
to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void
to create a new people of God.
There is a true and better Isaac, the son of laughter, of grace,
who was not just offered up by his father on the mount
but was truly sacrificed for us all.
There is a true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice
we deserved, so we, like Jacob,
only receive the wounds of grace that wake us up and discipline us.
There is a true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king,
forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.
There is a true and better Moses who stands in the gap
between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.
There is a true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God's justice,
now gives us water in the desert.
There is a true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer,
who then intercedes for and saves his foolish friends.
There is a true and better David whose victory becomes his people's victory,
though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
There is a true and better Esther who didn't just risk losing an earthly palace
but lost the ultimate heavenly one, who didn't just risk his life,
but gave his life to save his people.
There is a true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm
so that we could be brought in.
There is a true and better Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless,
slain so the angel of death will pass over us.
He's the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest,
the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light,
and the true bread.
The bible is not a series of disconnected stories.It is a single narrative
that points to one person...
Jesus