I walked into the kitchen the other day and found some meat defrosting on the counter. The label, neatly affixed on top of the meat, immediately caught my attention:

In case you can’t read it, the label says “Boneless Country Ribs.” Think about that for a minute. Let it sink in. Here’s how my thought process unfolded as I stood, befuddled, in my kitchen:

Boneless Country Ribs
Boneless Country Ribs
Boneless Ribs
Ribs = Bones
Ribless Ribs
?!

In other words, this is a package of nothing. How can you have ribless ribs? It doesn’t make sense. You know what else doesn’t make sense?

A Bible without Jesus, that’s what.

But that’s kind of what my Bible has felt like recently. Reading the Mull (formerly known as the “Annual Bible Reading Plan Developed By Mark Mullery For Soveriegn Grace Church”; the guys in Manskool shortened it), we’ve recently found ourselves reading Psalms and Isaiah. Now, don’t get me wrong: this is good stuff. And I’m learning a lot:

• I’m glad I’m not Moab.
• I’m glad I’m not Philistia.
• I’m glad I’m not Assyria.

Seriously, I’ve gotten a lot more than that out of it, but I will be the first to admit that isn’t always easy to find Jesus in the Old Testament. I know he’s there: every verse in our Bible is points to Jesus in some way. Luke records how Jesus explained this to two of his followers:

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Jesus himself makes this even more clear:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” (John 5:39)

This verse inspired John Calvin to write:

“We ought to read the Scriptures with the express design of finding Christ in them.” Calvin’s Commentaries, on John 5:39.

I’m telling you this to encourage those of you who are reading through portions of the Bible where it is hard to find Christ. Stick with it. He’s there. When I look some of these passages in the full light of day, they don’t seem as hard as they do in the bleary-eyed dawn. Here are some questions you can use as you read through the Old Testament (or the New) to help you find Christ:

• How does this verse show me my (or all humanity’s) disposition to require a Savior?
• How does this verse show me God’s disposition to provide a Savior?

These are Mark’s questions, and they are invaluable for keeping your Bible from turning into some kind of ribless ribs of a book.  In fact, if you start using these questions regularly, I think you’ll find Psalms and Isaiah are stuffed with the gospel.

• For instance, in Psalm 77, what are the mighty deeds of God, and the wonders he has worked?  How has he redeemed his people?  If the Exodus is the OT high water mark of God’s gracious intervention among his people, what is the high water mark for us, this side of the NT?  (Softball alert.)  Reflect on the similarities and differences between the Exodus and the Cross…  There - you’re doing it!  No ribless ribs here.
• What about Isaiah?  Well, the nations get thrown under the bus of God’s judgment: bad news for Babylon, Assyria, Egpyt, Cush, Tyre, Sidon, and friends.  But it’s not all sunshine and daisies for God’s people: watch out for Isaiah 22 and 24.  Part of the trick here is that we often end up reading only one chapter at a time.  Not always helpful, but maybe unavoidable for now.  What is helpful is to keep in view the big themes of the book: watch for alternating themes of judgment and deliverance.  Note who is judged and why, and who gets delivered and why.  And especially how - this will become even more important as we move into the 40s and 50s.

So, stick with it. This book is what it promises to be: a faithful record of God’s gracious and redemptive purposes for His people, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  And every page of your Bible is about that story.

Incidentally, the ribless ribs were delicious.

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