Our first glimpse of Jesus Christ was not seen when He was placed in a manger but rather it occurred in the bloody affair after God killed an animal—probably a sheep—and made clothing for Adam and Eve to cover up their nakedness and shame that sin had caused. Later, we see a second image as God instructed Noah to make an ark that would deliver eight people from his holy and perfect wrath. Joseph, who also was a son like Christ and who was greatly beloved of his father, became the deliverer of his people after being ill-treated by his jealous brothers and was sold into a foreign land. Because of Joseph, Jacob (Israel) and his 70 descendants survived.
One of the clearest pictures of Christ was the institution of the Passover. A father would inspect a young lamb to make sure it was without blemish. It had to be a young male which was roasted upright on a stick. The Hebrews were instructed to put the lamb’s blood on both the posts and lintel so that when the avenging angel came to slay the firstborn of Egypt, he would see the blood applied to the doors in the land of Goshen and pass over them. Pilate verified this same Passover Lamb when he pronounced Christ without sin after he examined Him thoroughly. He too was killed upright on a stick.
When the rebellious Hebrews were bitten by snakes in the wilderness, a bronze serpent was put upon a pole. When it was lifted high and all the people looked to it, they were healed of the deadly results of their sin. In John 12:32 , Christ announced that if He were lifted up, all men would be drawn to Him. Just as manna fell six days of the week in the wilderness, Christ is the Bread of Life who feeds us daily. Of course, there is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 that the Jews still can’t explain today apart from Christ. Even Jesus’ birthplace was prophesied in Micah 5.
The point to remember is that Jesus Christ is the central character in the Bible, both the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is the one who split B.C. from A.D. Everything in the scripture points to Him as Savior, Lord, and King. While the Bible gives us seemingly indefinite principles about how to live life, we must never forget that our very life comes from Christ alone.
There are so many resources available to Christian homeschoolers in the twenty-first century. We are grateful as they save us time and equip us to always be better educating our children. We must, however, not forget that it is the fear of the Lord that gives us both knowledge and wisdom to apply that knowledge in life. When our children hit rough spots in the road of life, it is not going to be their science textbook that gives them peace and patience. When they face inevitable disappointment, it will not be their social studies curriculum that encourages them to persevere. When parental faith is shaken by the realization that we cannot adequately train our children on our own, it will be the Spirit of Christ and the Word of God that will be there as a cloud by day and fire by night.
As we approach the end of 2023 and see the curtain begin to open on 2024, there is one truth that must remain paramount in our family life. Amidst all the noise of the cultural sirens that beckon us to their shores, we must always remember there is only one place to which we can turn in time of need. It is Christ. It is Christ. It is Christ. And it is Christ. To His glory alone. Amen and Amen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from ICHE
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