The Big Story ยท Stop 5
Why do Lutherans say Jesus is the center of the whole Bible?
After centuries of waiting, the promised king is born to a poor family in Bethlehem. John calls him the Word of God, living among us. After Easter, Jesus showed his friends how the whole Bible pointed to him. Today you'll learn to read the Bible the way Luther did.
Start this stopGod with us
The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, tell the story of Jesus: his birth, teaching, healing, death, and resurrection. John says the Word of God became human and lived among us.
After Easter, Jesus walked with two friends. Starting with Moses and all the prophets, he explained what the Scriptures said about him. Luther took that seriously. He said the Old Testament is like the manger that holds Christ, and the same is true of the whole Bible. You read it to find him.
Lutherans also read the Bible as Law and Gospel. Law shows what God wants and where we fall short. Gospel tells what God has done for us in Jesus. When you read a passage, you can ask: what does this show me about my need, and what does it show me about God's love? You'll find both Law and Gospel in both testaments.
That's also why Lutherans read the Bible together, with the church, and with questions. You don't have to understand every part. Start with Jesus, and read outward from there.
Read it in your Bible
- John 1:14. John says the Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen his glory, full of grace and truth.
- Luke 24:27. Walking with two disciples after Easter, Jesus starts with Moses and all the prophets and explains to them everything in the Scriptures about himself.
The Nicene Creed
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human.
Words to know
- Gospels. The four books that tell Jesus' story: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Four writers telling the same story from four sides.
- Center. Where Lutherans put Jesus when they read the whole Bible. Start with Jesus, and the rest of the story makes more sense.
- Grace. What John says Jesus was full of, along with truth. Grace is God's love given freely. It's the Bible's best news.