Cliffs Notes

 

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:36-44 ESV).

 

Did you know they have a Cliffs Notes on the bible? I must confess that there have been a few times when I attempted to take such a short-cut in reading assigned books in my studies. Thinking that I could get all the necessary information from Cliffs Notes, I bought one of these when assigned a paper in an English class early in my freshman year at Texas A&M. Can I please be very clear in telling you that this was not then, nor is it now a good idea. As well written as these short versions of the original may be, they are no substitute for the complete text. I suppose there is some positives about reading such “notes” along with the original full-length books. So, in an attempt to save you a bit of trouble: the whole Bible is about Jesus. This is true of the New Testament, which tells the story of Jesus’ coming to live with us. And it is true of the Old Testament, written long before Jesus was born. In the next few days we will explore that will some depth.

 

The New Testament and the Old Testament make up the whole Bible, and together they tell the story of God’s love for the world. That love comes into clearest focus in Jesus: through his life and work, through his death and resurrection. On the first Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to his disciples. They were still reeling from his death two days earlier. But now here he was—standing in their midst! They had no idea how to puzzle it all out. So, Jesus helped them see how his story fulfills the Old Testament (the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms). Sometimes we think this fulfillment is only about things in the story of Jesus that were predicted in the Old Testament. But there is much more to it. Fulfillment is especially about words and events in the Old Testament finding a more profound meaning in the story of Jesus. I hope you are encouraged with these devotionals as we see the complete story unfold from beginning to end. It is the story of how great God’s love is for each of us!