What is the theme of the bible? Now, this is an important question to ask as we approach the scriptures because it will help us understand God’s message, the role of the Christian, and why we are sent to present the kingdom of God to the world. And as we seek to understand the bible, let us answer the question presented.
To begin, we will look at a few scriptures to highlight and answer this mysterious and most unasked question presented. And firstly, I will acknowledge, the most famous response we have when it comes to the bible and the question presented, is that the theme of the bible is about Jesus Christ.
Most will argue, this is the most accurate answer, and may even defend it as the only truth. I will not challenge these responses; the bible and its message are about Jesus Christ and him coming into the world to save humanity.
However, there is a reason why Jesus came into the world to save humanity which is the theme of the entire bible. And to confirm and reveal this mystery, the first scripture we will look at considering this truth is Matthew 1:21. It reads, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Now, as we look at this verse carefully, we can find that the bible does speak of Jesus Christ as the main subject of the bible, but when it comes to the theme and the question presented, we will find the answer to our question is the reason why Jesus came into the world according to Matthew. Because although Jesus is the main and most important subject of the bible, the reason he came is the theme of the entire bible. For what prompted Jesus to have come into the world was the fact and reality of human perishing, and because we are perishing, he came into the world that he might save us.
Let us dig a little deeper if we say the theme of the bible is about human perishing, and the reason why Jesus came into the world because if that is our position on the bible, we should then be asking the question “from what is Jesus saving us?”
Well, the next verse will give us some insight, 1 John 2:16-17, which reads, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.”
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are passing away, the things of this world are not the desires of the Father, and because they are not the will and desires of the Father, John is telling us the world and its dearies will pass away.
But what does the scripture meant to say when it said the world is passing away? Well, let us look at our next verse and what Jesus said to Nicodemus to understand what the scripture meant to say when it said the world is passing away and will pass away with its lust and desires.
Speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus said John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And as we read this verse, the first thing we will notice and gladly accept is the message that God loves the world.
But how many of us have ever stopped to ask the question or take notice of why Jesus said these things to Nicodemus? If we were to take a closer look, we will notice Jesus in speaking with Nicodemus was telling us he came into the world because it is perishing. In other words, the world and its desires are and will pass away. But again, how will the world and its desires pass away? Peter the apostle can answer this question for us.
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:10 “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
It should now be clear, although Jesus is the main subject and saviour of the bible, he came into the world to save us from God’s wrath and plan to completely destroy the works and desires of the world. That seems to suggest, we are in some form of danger if we are not prepared. And because Jesus is the only saviour capable of redeeming us from God’s wrath, he is the only saviour of the world.
