How To Read the Bible, Part 4

Victory Life Church — Sunday, February 1, 2026

Link to a downloadable PDF:
2026-02-01 – How to Read the Bible, Part 4

Part 4: “Reading the Bible about Jesus with Jesus”

Sermon Summary

This message centers on the conviction that the Bible is one unified story whose true subject is Jesus, and that Scripture is meant not merely to inform us about Him but to lead us into life with Him. Jesus Himself insists, in Luke 24 and John 5, that everything written in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms points to Him—and that Scripture only becomes life-giving when it actually brings us to Him. Luke 24 then gives us a model for how disciples are to read the Bible about Jesus with Jesus: as we walk with Him in Scripture, our hearts burn when the Word is read with love and desire for God; our eyes are opened as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reshape our vision and blind spots; and our minds are opened when the Living Word illuminates the written Word, granting revelation and understanding by the Spirit. The Bible is not merely a text to master but a Word of encounter, where Jesus meets us, interprets Scripture to us, and reveals Himself. Transformation does not come from technique alone, but from faithfully returning to Scripture with humility, love, and attentiveness, trusting that as we keep showing up, Jesus will open our hearts, our eyes, and our minds—again and again—so that we may know Him and be changed by Him.

Scripture Reading

Luke 24:13–32 (NLT)¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. ¹⁸ Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” ¹⁹ “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. ²⁰ But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. ²¹ We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. ²² “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. ²³ They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! ²⁴ Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” ²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! ³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Review

A framework we looked at earlier is Dan Kimball’s four principles for how to read the Bible:

The Bible is a library, not a book. The Bible is written for us, but not to us.

Never read a Bible verse. All of the Bible points to Jesus.

Before turning to the fourth principle, the first three establish the essential groundwork for recognizing context in Scripture. First, the Bible must be understood as a library, not a single book—a diverse collection of writings across centuries, cultures, and literary forms (narrative, poetry, and discourse) that together tell one unified, epic story. Second, the Bible is written for us, but not to us: though eternally relevant as God’s Word, it was originally spoken through human authors in specific historical, cultural, and linguistic settings, requiring careful exegesis to understand what it meant to the original hearers before discerning how it applies today. Third, we must never read a Bible verse in isolation, because meaning arises from context—literary, historical, and canonical—and removing a verse from its surrounding argument or story distorts and misuses it. Together, these principles train us to read Scripture attentively, humbly, and holistically, preparing us to grasp its true meaning as we now look at the fourth principle.

One Unified Story

As we’ve seen, Jesus is the big idea of Scripture we are looking for when we read the Bible:

We read the Bible that we may grow wiser in salvation through faith in Jesus.

All the Bible Points to Jesus

We engage with the Scriptures through reading, studying, meditating, and obeying because Jesus invites us to know Him and follow Him through them. Jesus states that all of the Bible is connected and that He is the central figure who connects it all.

Luke 24:44 (NLT)⁴⁴ Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

A helpful and beautiful visual of this is the image that shows how the Bible cross-references with itself. Every arc is referencing a previous passage, and these are just the quotations. It doesn’t include allusions and inferences.

The Bible is ONE unified story that leads to Jesus.

This image visually captures the principle that the Bible tells one big unified story. Jesus claims to be the essence of that story.

“From the beginning in Genesis to the end in Revelation, all of the Bible points to Jesus. We don’t see Jesus’s name in the Old Testament, but…the storyline of the entire Bible revolves around him as the promised one sent by God to redeem God’s people and rescue them from the fallout of evil and sin.” ~ Dan Kimball

Jesus is emphatic that all of Scripture is about Him and points to Him in one way or another.

John 5:39–40 (NLT)³⁹ “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! ⁴⁰ Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

Jesus’ startling point is that there is nothing life-giving about studying the Scriptures if you miss their true content and purpose: they should point you to Him. Jesus is saying that if you refuse to come to Him for life, it means you are not reading the Scriptures as they were intended to be read.

There is nothing life-giving about reading the Scriptures if you miss their true content and purpose.

The point Jesus makes is clear: the Scriptures are about Him. Yet, knowing that is only part of the importance in reading the Bible. It’s one thing to recognize that the Scriptures are about Jesus. It’s another thing to read the Bible in such a way that you actually see Him and experience Him through the Scriptures. Jesus says He is the source of life to which we come to receive, but the Scriptures point to Him. How do we read the Bible in such a way that we actually receive the life that Jesus gives?

How to Read the Bible about Jesus with Jesus

The larger context of Luke 24 gives us, as disciples of Jesus, a way to read the Bible that is about Jesus in such a way that we see and experience Jesus.

Read the Bible about Jesus with Jesus.

Three important elements emerge in the stories of Luke 24 that show us how to be effective readers of the Bible and experience the life of Jesus contained within it.

How to Read the Bible that is about Jesus with Jesus: Burning Hearts, Open Eyes, Understanding Minds

Burning Hearts

As the two discouraged and disoriented disciples walked toward Emmaus, Jesus walks alongside them and listens to their disappointments and confusion, though they didn’t know it was Him at the time. When they had laid it all out for Him, He, rather curtly, lays out the Scriptures for them to see clearly what they were all about and how they made sense of what had happened in the cross.

Luke 24:25–27 (NLT)²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Later, when they reflected back on those moments of Jesus doing a walking Bible study with them, showing them what it was all about, they said their hearts burned within them:

Luke 24:32 (NLT)³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

As we practice reading and studying the Bible, we should pay attention to when our “hearts burn” within us.

How to Read the Bible that is about Jesus with Jesus: Pay attention to your burning heart.

This is often very subtle and is connected to a posture of the heart. The most appropriate posture when reading the Bible is love. We read the Bible because we love God and desire to know Him and love Him more. We read Scriptures because Jesus invites us to know Him and follow Him through them. Love is the most critical posture to have a burning heart.

“Reading the Bible should start from, and end with, love for God…No amount of advice on Bible reading technique can compensate for hearts and minds that are not willing to humbly follow God.” ~ Ray Lubeck

When we are reading the Bible with a posture of love, desire, and pursuit of Jesus, pay attention to when your heart is stirred, when it burns. Linger there and ask the Holy Spirit to show you whatever He desires from the text. This leads to the second element: open eyes.

Open Eyes

It’s significant to note that, during the walking Bible study with Jesus, though their hearts were burning, they still did not recognize Him just yet. He was hidden from their recognition. Their assumptions and disappointments blurred their vision. It was only when they sat down to eat, when Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it, that their eyes were opened.

Luke 24:30–31 (NLT)³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

There are many layers to this story. We have many blind spots and cultural filters when we are reading the Bible that can obscure our view. We also carry many burdens of disappointments, confusion, trauma, and brokenness, as well as lies and distortions from culture or, worse yet, bad preaching and teaching. These will prevent us from seeing Jesus clearly when reading the Bible. Our hearts may burn, but our eyes are still “closed” to seeing Jesus. This is no reason to give up or get disheartened. We still walk the road with Jesus, even if we cannot see Him clearly.

What is absolutely critical in our reading of the Bible, though, is to prioritize the life and work of Jesus above the rest. The life of Jesus, His teachings, His life, and (most importantly) His resurrection should shape our vision of the Bible. These two disciples had expectations shaped by tradition and culture when they read the Bible, which obscured their vision. But when Jesus shared the Table with them, their eyes were opened. When we can see Jesus in His broken body and shed blood, which we reenact every time we come to the Table of the Lord, we get a clearer vision of the Bible. The cross and resurrection of Jesus open our eyes to see the Bible as a whole more clearly.

How to Read the Bible that is about Jesus with Jesus: Let the life of Jesus open your eyes to the whole Bible.

Understanding Minds

Once Jesus reveals Himself to the rest of His disciples as the Resurrected Lord, He once again asserts that the Bible is all about Him. But this time, there is more going on than burning hearts and open eyes, He gives them revelation to see what has been there all along. He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Luke 24:44–48 (NLT)⁴⁴ Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. ⁴⁷ It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of all these things.

When He “opens His disciples’ minds,” He enables them not only to believe the Scriptures, but to understand them as well. This is the idea of revelation. Commentator James Edwards clarifies this moment, describing it as this:

“The Living Word interprets the Written Word. If one does not know Christ, one cannot understand scripture.” ~ James Edwards

Wherever you are reading in the text, and whatever the specific subject is in context, it ultimately points us to Jesus. When reading the Bible, we are not just reading a book; we are reading God’s Word, listening for the Living Word to give us revelation that helps us understand what we are reading as it relates to Himself. We are not just reading the Bible about Jesus, but we are reading with Jesus, present with us by the Holy Spirit. This is why some can read the Bible and become an atheist, and some will read it and be transformed. The difference is Jesus, the Living Word, illuminating the written Word.

How to Read the Bible that is about Jesus with Jesus: Be with Scripture long enough to let Jesus give you revelation—an understanding mind.

To experience revelation, you cannot make it happen on your own. You cannot force your way into revelation. By definition, it is something unveiled to you. When it comes to revelation from the Bible, there are many things we can understand and learn from without specific revelation. However, if we are to see the Bible as God desires us to see the Bible, it must be revealed to us by Him. Revelation is a partnership. We have a part to play, and God has a part to play. Our part is to keep reading the Bible, looking for Jesus, and asking the Spirit to reveal Jesus to us. We read the Bible understanding that Jesus, but the Holy Spirit, is with us in our reading. When we are ready, when our hearts are postured in love and humility, God reveals Himself to us. Sometimes this happens when we are hearing the preaching of the Word through those whom God has anointed to bring revelation. Sometimes it happens in our personal or communal reading of the Bible. What matters is that we keep showing up, we keep reading, and we make a lifestyle and habit of reading the Bible. As we do this, walking with Jesus by the Spirit, He will open our minds to understand the Scriptures more and more throughout our lives.

Conclusion

My desire is that we read the Bible as disciples of Jesus, looking for Him and reading with Him, and make a lifelong habit of doing so. I desire for our church to be built on the truth of God’s Word revealed in Jesus, and that all of our lives are built on this same, solid foundation. My prayer is that you would read the Bible well, with burning hearts, open eyes, and understanding minds.

How to Read the Bible that is about Jesus with Jesus: Burning Hearts, Open Eyes, Understanding Minds

Pay attention to the burning heart.

Let the life of Jesus open your eyes to the whole Bible.

Be with Scripture long enough to let Jesus give you an understanding mind.

Citation and Read More

This line comes from the mission statement of The Bible Project. They are an incredibly helpful resource to help readers of the Bible engage with the Scriptures well through that lens. https://bibleproject.com/about/

Interactive Image: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/robertrouse/viz/BibleCrossReferences/Arcs;
Other cross-referencing resources: https://viz.bible/remaking-an-influential-cross-reference-visualization/

Dan Kimball, How (Not) to Read the Bible, p. 55.

John 5:39-40 (NIV). See also Luke 24:25-27, 44-47.

D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, pp. 263-264.

Ray Lubeck, Reading the Bible for a Change, pp. 16-17. See Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:37-40.

James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Luke, p. 734. cf. John 5:45-47