What is the essence of the Bible's narrative, and why does it matter? The Bible begins with God’s creation of the world and culminates in its renewal after humanity's choice of self-rule over divine authority. At the heart of this narrative is Jesus Christ.

To grasp the Bible's message, it’s essential to recognize its overarching storyline, which can be distilled into seven foundational teachings. These teachings provide the context necessary for making the decision to trust and follow Jesus—becoming his disciple.

This overarching narrative can be referred to as the “Grand Story” of the Bible, with a primary focus on Jesus as the “Christ.” The term "Christ" is synonymous with "Messiah"—“Christ” derives from Greek, while “Messiah” comes from Hebrew, both meaning “the anointed one.” Therefore, when we refer to “Jesus Christ,” we aren’t using a first and last name; rather, we are affirming his identity as “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus the Anointed One.”

Jesus the Messiah is the central figure in the most significant story ever told. Human history before his birth anticipated his arrival, and after his brief time on earth, history now looks forward with eager expectation to his return at the end of time. Understanding Jesus’ identity as the Messiah becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of the Grand Story of the Bible.

Creation

The Bible opens with God bringing all things into existence. Each aspect of creation is proclaimed good by the Creator, culminating in the creation of human beings—uniquely crafted in His image to reflect His character and exercise His rule on earth as His representatives. The first humans, Adam and Eve, experienced a deep and intimate fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden.

Curse

God is both holy and loving. We were created to glorify Him and to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. Tragically, Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan into questioning God’s faithfulness, leading them to willfully rebel against His clear command. As a consequence of their choice, humanity became spiritually broken and separated from God. We find ourselves unable to remedy the effects of sin on our own; we are in desperate need of God’s saving intervention.

Covenant

In His grace, God reached out to sinful humanity in various ways. He rescued Noah and his family during a time of judgment, establishing a covenant with him that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Subsequently, God made a covenant with Abraham, outlining His redemptive plan throughout history. He promised to create a great nation from Abraham and to bless all the peoples of the world through him. Abraham believed God and accepted this covenant, leading to the formation of his descendants into twelve tribes, who eventually found themselves enslaved in Egypt.

Covenant People (Israel)

The Grand Story of the Bible unfolds further with the descendants of Abraham. Through Moses, a descendant of Abraham, God liberated the twelve tribes from bondage in Egypt, demonstrating His love for the Israelites by granting them special gifts. Three notable gifts include the Ten Commandments and the Law, sacrifices for sin, and a special Promised Land, known today as Israel, for their twelve tribes.

Among the kings of Israel, God found a heart of faith in David, which pleased Him immensely. In response, God made another promise, affirming His commitment to bless all people. He declared that one of David’s descendants would be the messianic King, whose kingdom would never end and would serve as a paradise for God's people. This Messiah would also hold the authority to judge those outside His kingdom.

Christ (Messiah)

Jesus came as the promised Messiah, our King, heralding the arrival of the kingdom of God into a world marred by sin. His purpose was to reveal the true nature of God and to restore humanity to its original intent. Jesus’ mission culminated in His suffering and death on the cross, where He provided salvation for all people, both Jews and Gentiles (those not physically descended from Abraham).

After three days, Jesus rose from the dead, triumphing over Satan and sin, and subsequently ascended into heaven. He promised to return again to fully restore God’s kingdom, bringing about the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Church

Before returning to the Father in heaven, Jesus commissioned His apostles and followers to continue His teachings and make disciples of all nations. After His ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower this mission and established a global community for all who placed their faith in Him. Jesus is the head of this body, calling those in His church to utilize the gifts and message He has provided to become disciples who make more disciples.

Disciples are characterized by their love for God and others, living out the reign of God in both word and deed. They reach out to those who have yet to hear the gospel and show compassion to the poor and oppressed. The life and teachings of Jesus serve as the blueprint for the church's mission and identity. The Holy Spirit unites disciples from diverse cultures, places, and times into one body—the body of Christ.

Consummation

Jesus promised His followers that He will one day return to fully eradicate the effects of the curse, ushering in an age where sin, death, pain, and sadness will be no more. This hope is a blessed assurance for all disciples of Jesus. Until that time, He extends a standing invitation into His “already-but-not-yet” kingdom.

Salvation is offered to us by grace through faith. Grace is God's unearned favor, providing forgiveness and life within His kingdom. Our response to this offer is faith, which manifests as trusting and following Jesus. Upon His return, Jesus will judge both the living and the dead. Those who did not accept God's gracious invitation to redemption will face punishment for their sins in hell. Conversely, those who trusted and followed Jesus will experience everlasting joy with God in the new heaven and the new earth.

Summary

These seven plot points represent the key movements in God’s story. Each movement in the Bible's overarching narrative ultimately points to Jesus. Because Jesus came to guide us into a comprehensive discipleship that goes beyond a single conversion, understanding this storyline is crucial.