The Most Amazing Portrait of Jesus

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24: 13-27)

Jesus walked for a while with His disciples and the passage tells us that “He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself”. Like and artful master painter, the Lord unveiled before them every detail about Him that was known by the prophets. Jesus’ presence is evident throughout the Bible and as we uncover little pieces of His life, we cannot do less than praise God for giving us the Scriptures.

Jesus was in the beginning, “All things were made in Him, through Him and for Him”. He was there when Adam and Eve sinned. God promised that one day Jesus (the seed of the woman) would crush the head of the serpent (Satan). We find Him again in the animal sacrificed by God to make tunics for Adam and Eve. The shedding of blood covered their sin and brought forgiveness.

Jesus was the spotless lamb of Exodus, the High Priest of Leviticus, and the cloud who guided the Jews in the book of Numbers. He was the promised Messiah of Deuteronomy and the courageous leader in Joshua. Jesus is the Redeemer in Ruth and the faithful friend in Samuel; the Prince of Peace in Kings and the Temple in Chronicles. Our Lord restores in Ezra and He is the “perfect light” (Urim and Thummim) of Nehemiah. He is the deliverer in Esther and Job recognizes Jesus as His resurrected Redeemer.

His personal life was artfully depicted by the prophets: Isaiah knew Jesus would be born of a virgin and worshiped by the magi. Micah knew the place of His birth and Hosea prophesied His family’s flight to Egypt. Jeremiah knew about the infanticide of the Jewish babies by Herod, and Daniel prophesied His kingdom would have no end. Isaiah prophesied God’s voice coming from heaven during Jesus’ baptism, the beginning of the Lord’ ministry, and the very first time He would preach in His hometown!

It was also Isaiah who knew something as personal about Jesus as His temperament. He knew He would be meek and gentle. David, on the other hand, portrayed His righteous zeal for His Father’s house.

Of all the prophets, it was probably Isaiah the most favored by God, since He knew many details about Jesus; His tender love for little children included. Reciprocally, it is David who tells us about the children worshipping Jesus in return!

The Bible tells us that people were amazed by Jesus’ words and deeds, a fact that was known by Isaiah, who also knew that people would turn their backs on Him. He saw Him as the Lamb that was slaughtered, while David prophesied the betrayal of Jude and the payment he received from the Jews.

Zachariah saw Jesus’ disciples scattered and abandoning Him. David knew Jesus would be falsely accused. His last words at the cross were recorded by him as well. Isaiah knew Joseph of Arimathaea would provide a tomb for Jesus’ burial. God gave the privilege to these two men to prophesy Jesus’ glorious resurrection and His joy for having finally fulfilled God’s purpose at the cross.

Our God has knit within the pages of the Bible all that there is to know about His Son. With every brush stroke, the beauty and majesty of God’s plan is revealed to have one purpose only: that all people be saved and come unto the knowledge of the Truth. That’s what I call a Masterpiece!