The Jesus’ Lens

By Tosin Lawal

Devotional Reading: He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3HCSB

My mum and I once had a discussion that led us to probe into the character and nature of God as some of the writings of the Old Testament books sometimes seem to portray. Imagine reading in Isaiah 45:7 that God created good and evil.

There is even a portion of Paul’s writing where we read about God saying Esau I have hated, Jacob I have loved. This has mainly made some have some wild notions about the nature of God, thinking God loves some and hates some. There are a few things to consider in interpreting the Bible correctly and understanding the nature of God as revealed in the pages of the scriptures. Among them, the one that stands out is interpreting the Bible using Jesus’ lens.

Before expounding on the Jesus lens, you need to know that the Hebrew word translated to mean evil in Isaiah 45:7 does not mean evil in terms we’ve understood today. Its meaning is far from what is being referred to as evil. The Hebrew word translated to mean hate in Malachi 1:2-3 does not mean hatred, as we’ve learned today. In the originals, the word is translated to mean hatred as to do with preference. That is, Jacob I have preferred, not Esau. And this has to do with the fulfillment of the plan and purpose of God. God loves all men.

Whether you have access or not to understanding the original languages in which the Bible is written, one thing that stands out and should stand out for you in interpreting the Bible and understanding the nature of God is reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus Christ.

Interpreting the Bible correctly, which leads to understanding the nature of God, will make a massive difference in the way you relate with God. It will affect the way you go about ministry. It will affect almost everything you do on earth.

From the Old Testament days, God’s revelation and his nature were progressive. However, the coming of Jesus marked the peak of God’s final revelation. The Bible says in Hebrews 1 that Long ago, God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.

God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Jesus Christ defines God. Any time you read any portion of the scriptures, read through the lens of Jesus Christ. As you read, whatever contradicts the nature of Jesus is not God. Reading your Bible this way will save you from costly errors.

Prayer and Confession
Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and help me to always behold you in the pages of the scriptures.

Further readings: Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-3
Reading Proverbs: Proverbs 21-25