Previously, we explored Jesus’ message in the first three Gospels, his teachings and actions revealing the Good News. Now, we examine the final stage of his life and ministry.

Jesus taught that all people are valuable to God and should treat each other with love, honesty, forgiveness, and service. His life profoundly impacted those he met, inspiring many to follow him in faith. He lived, died, and rose again, and through his Spirit, he calls us to do the same.

As Jesus approached the end of his ministry, opposition to him intensified. In Galilee, people were eager to hear him, but resistance grew as he neared Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish religious authority. The Gospels show him setting his face towards the city, directly challenging religious leaders, knowing this confrontation would lead to his death.

Jesus openly declared what God required, true faith rather than rigid adherence to religious rules. The Old Testament prophet Micah summarised this in Micah 6:8: To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. However, this pure faith had been distorted, replaced with legalistic practices. Jesus’ denunciation of hypocrisy, particularly when he drove the moneychangers from the Temple, sealed his fate in the eyes of the authorities.

The religious leaders saw only one way to stop him, by eliminating him. The familiar story of his crucifixion follows, but their plan did not end his influence. Instead, through his resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant, creating a new covenant people of God.

Today, we are invited to be part of this covenant, inheriting eternal life both now and in the future. Jesus’ message continues to offer hope, calling us to faith and a life transformed by love, justice, and humility.

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In our series we’ve now reached the New Testament. We’ve seen how God’s covenant people once again fell under foreign rule, this time under the Romans in 63 BC. But a new King was coming, Jesus of Nazareth, the one foretold throughout the Old Testament. A very different kind of King.

We turn first to Matthew’s Gospel, the first book of the New Testament. Though once thought to be the earliest Gospel, we now know it wasn’t. Similarly, while our calendar is based on Christ’s birth, scholars believe he was actually born in 4 BC.

The main story of Jesus begins about thirty years after his birth. Baptised by John the Baptist, he commenced his public ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. He came to proclaim the Good News of God, and one of the most profound records of this is found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel.

A central aim of Matthew is to demonstrate that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest and most straightforward of the first three. Luke’s Gospel speaks of God’s care for people who were seen as insignificant in the society of his day. Specifically, this referred to women, children, the poor, and disreputable ‘sinners’.

Jesus taught that every person is valuable to God. He called for love, appreciation, and respect in our dealings with one another, urging honesty, forgiveness, and service. This, he taught, is the path to healing and wholeness.

His life had a profound impact on those he encountered, inspiring many to follow him in faith. We know how he lived, how he died, and how he rose again. Through his Spirit, he continues to touch lives today, calling us to follow him in faith.

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We’ve now completed the Old Testament, but haven’t reached the New Testament. We’re in limbo. We’re in the 400 years of silence between the two sections, a silence that was ultimately broken by the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.

The last historical books of the Old Testament, Ezra and Nehemiah, recount how God’s covenant people returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. So, what happened to them in the four centuries leading up to Jesus’ birth? This period was eventful, and its history is recorded in 1 and 2 Maccabees, books that weren’t included in the final version of the Bible, along with some other books.

At the time of Ezra’s return, Persia was still a dominant empire. However, in 333 BC, Alexander the Great overthrew Persian rule, and the Jewish people came under Greek control, forced to pay taxes and show allegiance to their foreign rulers. Unhappy under Greek dominance, they eventually rebelled. Under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus (nicknamed ‘the hammerer’) the Jewish people launched a resistance movement.

After a prolonged struggle, the Greeks relented, allowing them to reclaim their land and the temple in 164 BC. This victory led to a century of relative peace and independence. However, this period of freedom was short-lived. Internal conflicts and political missteps eventually allowed the Romans to take control in 63 BC, once again subjecting the Jewish people to foreign rule. Under Roman occupation, the covenant people awaited a new king, one unlike any before. Jesus of Nazareth, the one foretold throughout the Old Testament, was about to arrive.

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We conclude the Old Testament with Jonah, Nahum, and Obadiah, books that reaffirm God’s control over history. While we’ve seen his guidance over his covenant people, these prophets show that his influence extends to nations and the wider universe. The Bible consistently reminds us that life is best lived with reference to God, both individually and collectively.

Most people are familiar with Jonah’s story, but its message is profound. God commanded Jonah to warn Nineveh, the Persian capital, of impending judgment. Fearing his enemy’s reaction, Jonah fled, only to learn that one cannot escape God. His journey, marked by emptiness and struggle, illustrates that a life without God is void of purpose. Eventually, he obeyed, and to his surprise, Nineveh repented, even its king. This teaches us that God’s grace extends to all.

Nahum follows with a warning: nations must not grow arrogant and think they can live without God. He reminds them that all power originates from God and must be exercised humbly. Those who ignore him will ultimately realise his strength. Obadiah reinforces this by condemning Israel’s enemies, particularly Edom, stressing that evil doesn’t go unpunished.

As the NLT Study Bible notes, nations and individuals alike must heed what they sow, for the time of harvest comes swiftly. God is just and will bring justice for the oppressed.

With this, we reach the end of our Old Testament journey. Though it offers only a partial revelation of God’s nature, it provides glimpses of his character and foreshadows Jesus. Before moving to the New Testament, we must first explore the period between these two great sections.

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After the Exile, the Israelites had lost everything, their land, temple, and freedom. In their sorrow, they longed for Jerusalem, as expressed in Psalm 137: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

Though they eventually returned and rebuilt the temple and walls, their enthusiasm faded, much like New Year’s resolutions that quickly lose momentum. They faced hardships, and prophets like Zechariah and Haggai urged them to stay committed to God, encouraging worship and faithfulness despite difficulties.

Joel, looking ahead, prophesied a time when God would fully dwell with His people. His words, I will pour out my Spirit on all people… Your sons and daughters will prophesy (Joel 2:28-29) point towards Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He called for sincere devotion: Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD, for he is gracious and compassionate. (Joel 2:13)

Malachi, the final prophet of the Old Testament, reassured the people of God’s presence. They felt abandoned, but in reality, they’d turned away from him. Their worship was half-hearted, and they were withholding what rightfully belonged to God. Yet, Malachi’s message reflected a familiar New Testament theme, God stood with open arms, waiting to welcome them back.

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We’re now past halfway in our journey through the Bible that follows a roughly chronological order. This post considers three prophets before the Exile: Hosea, Amos, and Habakkuk.

Previously, we looked at Ezekiel and his message that God’s people would always belong to him, offering hope and reassurance. Similarly, Isaiah spoke of God’s presence and love. Yet, time and again, the covenant people ignored God’s ways, refusing to listen or follow him.

Hosea’s life itself became a message of God’s faithfulness. He married an unfaithful prostitute, symbolising how God’s people strayed, worshipping idols instead of remaining devoted to him. Despite their waywardness, there was still hope. Prophets like Micah and Zephaniah also shared messages of redemption.

Amos, in contrast, delivered a stern warning. Although life seemed good, the people were exploiting one another and had become selfish. Amos urged them to recognise their wrongdoing, as this wasn’t how God intended them to live.

Habakkuk wrestled with difficult questions, asking why God allowed suffering and injustice. Through his struggles, he came to understand that even when circumstances seem unfair, God remains just. He ultimately declared his faith in God’s goodness, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-18: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.

The overarching message is clear: regardless of our circumstances, God is always a God of love and grace.

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Daniel and his friends were heroes of the faith who stood firm against the rulers of Babylon. Though their situation seemed dire, they remained steadfast, knowing that God was with them.

As exiles in Babylon, they worked as slaves, tasked with tasting the king’s food for poison – a risky job, but one that ensured they ate well. They remained faithful to their Jewish dietary laws and were visibly healthier as a result.

King Nebuchadnezzar was greatly impressed with Daniel after he interpreted a dream about a giant statue being shattered. Daniel credited his wisdom to God, saying, Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. However, the king later erected a massive golden statue and ordered everyone to worship it. When Daniel’s friends refused, they were thrown into a fiery furnace but emerged unharmed.

Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, held a great feast where he arrogantly used sacred temple vessels to toast idols. Suddenly, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall – originating the phrase the writing’s on the wall. No one could interpret the message except Daniel, who revealed that it foretold the king’s downfall.

Under the next king, Darius, a decree was issued that only he should be worshipped. Daniel and his friends continued praying to God and were thrown into a den of lions. Yet, once again, they were miraculously unharmed.

Their stories remind us that while we may face hardships, God is with us through every trial. As Psalm 23 says, even in the ‘darkest valley’, we need not fear.

Note: As well as the stories, the Book of Daniel is one of the earliest examples of apocalyptic literature, a genre which includes symbolic visions, angelic interpretations, and a focus on end-times. Daniel’s prophecies are often linked to the Book of Revelation.

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Ezekiel continues the theme of renewal and hope seen in Jeremiah and Lamentations. Despite the exile, God sought a fresh start for his people, even in their darkest moments. As Jeremiah 29:11 declares, God’s plans were to prosper his people, not harm them, giving them hope and a future.

Ezekiel was appointed to call the Israelites to repentance, as their behaviour didn’t reflect their status as God’s covenant people. However, they ignored his warnings and persisted in their sinful ways. As a result, they faced suffering and humiliation. Through this, they learned a crucial lesson, that God wasn’t just one of many deities, he was the true and living God.

Despite their punishment, God never fully rejected his people. Punishment wasn’t an act of rejection, but a means to bring them back to him. As seen throughout the Bible, he’s the Lord of life, hope, and new beginnings. His discipline was always intended to restore, not destroy.

God promised transformation for His people:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:26-28

This promise of a new heart and spirit emphasised that true renewal comes from God. Living life in reference to him is the only way to experience true fulfilment, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

God assured his people of a new future. He would lead them back from exile, and they would rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This renewal wasn’t just for them, but also for all who choose to follow him. Just as he was their God, he can be our God, giving us hope and a future.

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Each day offers a fresh start, a new beginning, and a clean slate. The book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, highlights this theme:

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness… The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:21-26)

As we journey through the Bible, we arrive at Jeremiah and Lamentations, which serve as a reminder that hope exists even in the darkest times.

Jeremiah wrote during the destruction of Jerusalem, warning the people of impending judgment due to their disobedience and complacency. They believed that God wouldn’t allow disaster to strike them, dismissing Jeremiah’s warnings as meaningless. However, their defeat and exile proved otherwise.

Despite the devastation, God’s desire for renewal remained. Even in exile, there were signs of a new beginning. In Jeremiah 31:31-33, God promises a new covenant:

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Though Jeremiah’s message contains sorrow and judgment, it’s ultimately one of hope. God’s plans were never to harm but to restore:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even in difficult times, God’s faithfulness endures, offering the promise of renewal, redemption, and a fresh start.

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When the birth of John the Baptist is celebrated in the Christian calendar, one of the set readings is from Luke 1 about his birth, and another from a passage in Isaiah 40. Verses, of course, associated with John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. His message centres on encouraging the covenant people of God to focus on the only true and living God, the one who never lets his people down, even when times are difficult.

The preaching of Isaiah represents a theological highpoint of the Old Testament: Not one of the other prophets approaches Isaiah in intellectual vigour, or, more particularly, in the magnificent sweep of his ideas. Gerhard Von Rad.

I have soared into the heavens and seen the glory of God, and with new eyes I have seen this world and my own place in it. The view has been breath-taking. Barry Webb.

The writings in this book cover three important periods in the lives of God’s people: before, during and after the Exile. As a result, many scholars feel that the author cannot be the same person throughout. This is nothing to worry about, God’s inspiration is very real and the book shows a remarkable unity.

You can think of Isaiah as the Bible in miniature, it gives us a complete picture of God and points to his love in sending Jesus. Here was hope, not just for the people at the time, but for all humankind in the future.

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