Audio By Carbonatix

Monday, March 3, 2025

Sixty-Six Equals One

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)

As we mentioned in the previous devotion, this month we’ll be looking at passages in the Old Testament in which Jesus appears or is referred to. Before we do that, though, let’s briefly review how the Bible came to be. The more we understand about what God’s Word is—and isn’t—the better we can appreciate its specific references to Jesus centuries before His birth.

The Bible is one book. But it’s made up of sixty-six individual books, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. The individual books are written in a variety of literary styles. Some are written as history. Some are written as poetry. Some are written as prophecy. Some are written as law. Some are written as letters.

Dozens of people contributed to the writing of Scripture. One interesting thing they all had in common was that none of them was a writer by trade. Moses was a prince who became a shepherd. David was a shepherd who became a king. Joshua was a military commander. Isaiah was a prophet. Ezra was a priest. Luke was a physician. Paul was a tentmaker. Peter and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. Their diverse backgrounds influenced the way they wrote.

Some authors were born more than a millennium apart. The Bible was written over a 1,500-year period. In different geographic regions. In different languages. Under different circumstances. To different audiences. For different reasons.

It’s the most ambitious literary project ever conceived. And it’s a miracle. There’s no earthly reason for so many disparate parts to form such a seamless whole. But there is a heavenly reason. God guided every author, every step of the way. He didn’t dictate the words of Scripture. He allowed each author to use his own writing style and personality. But God made sure that they wrote what He intended. He inspired them to express His truths in their own words. And though they all bring different perspectives to the material, they all tell a single story.

The Bible is the story of God’s love for us, even after we sinned against Him, and His amazing plan to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sin. The Bible is the story of Jesus. He is the golden thread that runs through its pages. He bridges the Old and New Testaments. He connects sixty-six separate books into one.

We see the promise of Jesus in the Garden of Eden. We see the work of Jesus in Noah’s ark. We see the ancestors of Jesus in the stories of Abraham, Jacob, and David. We see specific predictions about Jesus in the Old Testament books of prophecy. And we see the fulfillment of everything written about Him in the life of Jesus.

Copyright © 2025 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah Johnston

Did Jesus really exist? Can we trust the Gospels? What does archaeology say about the resurrection? In The Jesus Discoveries, apologist and scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston unpacks 10 remarkable findings that support the New Testament and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus is. It’s accessible, engaging, and perfect for believers who want to be better equipped to answer tough questions with truth and compassion. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.

Click here to find out more!

Audio By Carbonatix

Monday, March 3, 2025

Sixty-Six Equals One

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT)

As we mentioned in the previous devotion, this month we’ll be looking at passages in the Old Testament in which Jesus appears or is referred to. Before we do that, though, let’s briefly review how the Bible came to be. The more we understand about what God’s Word is—and isn’t—the better we can appreciate its specific references to Jesus centuries before His birth.

The Bible is one book. But it’s made up of sixty-six individual books, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. The individual books are written in a variety of literary styles. Some are written as history. Some are written as poetry. Some are written as prophecy. Some are written as law. Some are written as letters.

Dozens of people contributed to the writing of Scripture. One interesting thing they all had in common was that none of them was a writer by trade. Moses was a prince who became a shepherd. David was a shepherd who became a king. Joshua was a military commander. Isaiah was a prophet. Ezra was a priest. Luke was a physician. Paul was a tentmaker. Peter and John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. Their diverse backgrounds influenced the way they wrote.

Some authors were born more than a millennium apart. The Bible was written over a 1,500-year period. In different geographic regions. In different languages. Under different circumstances. To different audiences. For different reasons.

It’s the most ambitious literary project ever conceived. And it’s a miracle. There’s no earthly reason for so many disparate parts to form such a seamless whole. But there is a heavenly reason. God guided every author, every step of the way. He didn’t dictate the words of Scripture. He allowed each author to use his own writing style and personality. But God made sure that they wrote what He intended. He inspired them to express His truths in their own words. And though they all bring different perspectives to the material, they all tell a single story.

The Bible is the story of God’s love for us, even after we sinned against Him, and His amazing plan to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sin. The Bible is the story of Jesus. He is the golden thread that runs through its pages. He bridges the Old and New Testaments. He connects sixty-six separate books into one.

We see the promise of Jesus in the Garden of Eden. We see the work of Jesus in Noah’s ark. We see the ancestors of Jesus in the stories of Abraham, Jacob, and David. We see specific predictions about Jesus in the Old Testament books of prophecy. And we see the fulfillment of everything written about Him in the life of Jesus.

Copyright © 2025 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah Johnston

Did Jesus really exist? Can we trust the Gospels? What does archaeology say about the resurrection? In The Jesus Discoveries, apologist and scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston unpacks 10 remarkable findings that support the New Testament and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus is. It’s accessible, engaging, and perfect for believers who want to be better equipped to answer tough questions with truth and compassion. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.

Click here to find out more!