Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s Bible exposition. We had nine people participating—five remotely through Teams and four in the conference room. I am grateful for each of you and for the thoughtful attention, questions, and conversation.

In Session 3, “Christ in All the Scriptures,” we explored Luke 24:13–35 and the encounter between Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They knew the events surrounding Jesus’ death and had even heard the reports about the empty tomb, but they did not yet understand what God was doing. Then Jesus came alongside them and, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, showed them how the Scriptures ultimately pointed to him.

The Bible is more than a collection of moral teachings or principles telling us to work harder in our own strength. It is the unfolding revelation of God’s redemptive story centered in Jesus Christ—who he is, why he had to suffer, and how his death and resurrection accomplished the salvation we could never accomplish for ourselves. The cross was not an interruption of God’s plan; it was the fulfillment of God’s plan. My prayer is that we will not merely know more information about the Bible, but that we will encounter the living Christ through the Scriptures and experience our hearts coming alive to him.

If you missed the session or would like to hear it again, you can watch it here:

Watch “Christ in All the Scriptures” on YouTube⁠

Next Thursday, we will continue our CHRIST-CENTERED: Knowing Christ • Living in Christ • Experiencing Christ series with Session 4:

The Christ Who Understands — Hebrews 4:14–16

Many people believe that God is distant from their struggles or disappointed by their weaknesses. But Hebrews presents Jesus as our great High Priest who has entered heaven for us and who understands human weakness from the inside. He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Because of Christ, we do not have to hide from God, pretend to be stronger than we are, or carry our burdens alone.

Hebrews gives us this remarkable invitation: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Christ does not merely know about our suffering from a distance. He entered our humanity, experienced temptation and suffering, and now welcomes us to come honestly and confidently before God.

How would your relationship with God change if you truly believed that Christ understands what you are facing? What if your weakness were not a reason to run away from God, but the very reason to draw nearer to his throne of grace?

I hope you will join us next Thursday as we consider the Christ who understands us, represents us before the Father, and gives mercy and grace precisely when we need them most. I will be praying for each of you throughout the week.

Grace and peace,
Al