Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: The Big Picture Story Bible

Host: Crossway
Episode: Part 23 - God's Promise Is Explained
Date: April 28, 2020
Narrator: David Helm

Overview

This episode, "God's Promise Is Explained," delves into the pivotal moments following Jesus's resurrection, focusing on how Jesus revealed the grand, unifying narrative of God's Word to his surprised and joyful—but still confused—followers. David Helm narrates how Jesus opened up the Scriptures to his friends, helping them see that the events of Good Friday and Easter were always part of God's promise. The episode helps listeners, especially children, grasp that the Bible is one big story—centered on Jesus—and that God's promise comes alive through the pages of Scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emotional State of Jesus’s Followers

Joy vs. Lack of Understanding
- The disciples were elated to see Jesus alive again but did not comprehend why he needed to die and rise ([00:10]).
- Quote: "They were full of joy, but they were not full of understanding."

2. Jesus Opens the Scriptures ([00:20])

Jesus as Teacher
- Jesus goes through the "books of Moses and then the prophets and the Psalms"—the major sections of the Old Testament.
- He shows the disciples the "word pictures" found there that foretold his death and resurrection.
Purpose of Jesus’s Suffering and Resurrection
- Jesus reveals that for sins to be forgiven, he “must die to pay the penalty for sin,” and “promised he would rise again.”
- Quote ([00:36]): "He showed them everything that was written there about Him. In it were many word pictures that proved he must die to pay the penalty for sin. In it were many pictures that promised he would rise again."

3. The Followers’ Transformation

From Experience to Recognition in Scripture ([00:55])
- The disciples’ faith is deepened when they realize Jesus fulfills the promises of Scripture.
- Previously, they declared, "We have seen the Lord." Now, after connecting the Scriptures to Jesus’s life and work, "they could read God's holy book and say, even here, especially here, we have seen the Lord."
- Quote ([01:15]): "Before they had said, 'we have seen the Lord.' But now they could read God's holy book and say, 'even here, especially here, we have seen the Lord.'"

4. The Importance of Scripture for Future Believers

Anticipating a Time When Jesus Isn't Seen Physically
- Jesus knows a time will come when people won't see him with their eyes and will have to rely on the Bible.
- Jesus ensures his followers are equipped to see him “painted on the pages” of Israel’s history and story.
Scripture's Role for All Generations
- God's Word empowers future readers to also declare with joy, "We have seen the Lord" ([01:30]).

5. The Big Picture: Jesus as God’s Forever King

The Unifying Theme
- Helm closes by inviting listeners to notice "the Lord painted on the pages of Israel’s hard and happy history is the big picture of God's forever king" ([01:50]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Followers' Confusion and Joy:
- "They were full of joy, but they were not full of understanding." ([00:10])
On the Fulfillment of Scripture:
- "He showed them everything that was written there about Him. In it were many word pictures that proved he must die to pay the penalty for sin. In it were many pictures that promised he would rise again." ([00:36])
On Seeing Jesus in the Bible:
- "Before they had said, 'we have seen the Lord.' But now they could read God's holy book and say, 'even here, especially here, we have seen the Lord.'" ([01:15])
On Scripture for All:
- "He knew God's holy book would help others to believe and say, 'we have seen the Lord.' And they too would be full of joy." ([01:30])
On the Grand Narrative:
- "The Lord painted on the pages of Israel's hard and happy history is the big picture of God's forever king." ([01:55])

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:10 – Disciples' joy and confusion
00:20 – Jesus reveals himself through the Old Testament
00:36 – Significance of Jesus’s death and resurrection as foretold
01:15 – Followers recognize Jesus throughout Scripture
01:30 – The power of the Bible for future believers
01:55 – The Bible’s big picture: God's forever king

Tone and Style

The narration is warm, simple, and engaging, using child-friendly language to unpack profound theological truths. David Helm encourages listeners—both young and old—to see the Bible not as a collection of disconnected stories, but as one grand story with Jesus at its center.

This episode invites listeners to discover the joy and understanding that comes from seeing Jesus as the promised King—woven throughout the entire Bible—and encourages families and children to read the Scriptures with fresh eyes and expectant hearts.

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Transcript1 lines

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Part 23 God's promise is explained. Jesus followers could hardly believe it. We have seen the Lord. They were full of joy, but they were not full of understanding. They could see Jesus with their eyes, but they could not see why he had to die and rise again. And so Jesus opened up God's holy book that had been written long ago. He started with the books of Moses and then the prophets and the Psalms. He showed them everything that was written there about Him. In it were many word pictures that proved he must die to pay the penalty for sin. In it were many pictures that promised he would rise again. Jesus followers were amazed as they listened and as they read. Before they had said, we have seen the Lord. But now they could read God's holy book and say, even here, especially here, we have seen the Lord. Jesus taught them carefully because he knew the day was coming when people would no longer see him with their eyes. They would read of him instead. He knew God's holy book would help others to believe and say, we have seen the Lord. And they too would be full of joy. Do you see? The Lord painted on the pages of Israel's hard and happy history is the big picture of God's forever king.