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Jesus Christ as Central Figure in Bible's Narrative

Jesus Christ as the Central Figure in the Bible's Narrative

The Bible presents Jesus Christ as its central figure, with the entire narrative revolving around his life, mission, and significance. The Gospels, in particular, focus on Jesus' person and work, introducing him as "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" [9]. The term "Christ" itself is derived from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word "Messiah," signifying Jesus' anointed status as Prophet, Priest, and King [2].

The biblical account portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and expectations. The Gospel of Mark, for instance, begins by citing Old Testament prophecies to establish Jesus' identity as the promised Lord and Messiah [8]. Jesus' role as the central figure is further underscored by his depiction as the "faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth" in Revelation 1:5 [4, 5].

The New Testament writers emphasize Jesus' divinity and his unique relationship with God. He is described as "the image of God" and "the radiance of God's glory" [1, 6]. The writer of Hebrews highlights Jesus' superiority over other biblical figures, presenting him as the ultimate revelation of God's character and the perfecter of faith [6].

The centrality of Jesus is not limited to the Gospels; the entire New Testament canon reinforces his significance. The book of Acts, for example, presents Jesus as the focal point of early Christian preaching, with the apostles calling people to repentance and faith in him as the promised Messiah and divinely appointed Judge [13]. The Revelation, too, depicts Jesus as the Lamb at the center of God's plan for the world, worthy to open the scroll and break its seals [7].

The significance of Jesus Christ is further underscored by his various roles and titles in the biblical narrative. He is portrayed as the Mediator of the covenant between God and humanity, the Prophet who reveals God's will, the Priest who offers himself as a sacrifice, and the King who reigns over all [1, 3]. These roles are intertwined, demonstrating the complexity and richness of Jesus' person and work.

In the view of one tradition, Jesus' centrality is not just a matter of his being a key figure, but rather the very axis around which the entire biblical narrative revolves [10]. This perspective is reflected in the way the biblical writers present Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's hopes and the climax of God's redemptive plan.

The biblical emphasis on Jesus Christ as the central figure has significant implications for understanding the Bible's overall narrative and message. It underscores the importance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the pivotal events in human history, and highlights the need to interpret the rest of the biblical narrative in light of his person and work. As the ruler of the kings of the earth, Jesus' dominion extends beyond the church to the entire world, shaping the course of human events [12].

The portrayal of Jesus on the cross, flanked by two revolutionaries, further emphasizes his central role in the biblical narrative. This image highlights the significance of Jesus' death as a pivotal moment in the story, one that is both a demonstration of his love and a manifestation of his power [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
  4. Revelation of John “Revelation of John 1:5 (BSB) — and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,”
  5. Revelation “Revelation 1:5 (NASB) — and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--”
  6. Hebrews “Hebrews 12:2 (LEB) — fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
  7. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 5:1: 5:1-14 John introduces the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the central figure of Revelation and God’s chosen agent for accomplishing his purposes. 5:1 The scroll, like a dramatic script, details God’s plan for the world (Ps 139:16). • The right hand represents God’s gracious authority and power (see Rev 1:17, 20). • The writing on the inside and the outside means that God’s plans for history are full and complete. • sealed with seven seals: God has put his purposes for history in an impermeable safe (Isa 29:11-12; Dan 8:26). His purposes will be completed only when the sea”
  8. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:2: 1:2-8 This account is not primarily about John the Baptist, the messenger, but about the one he announces as “Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (1:1). 1:2-3 Mark includes Old Testament prophecies to support his account of the Good News about Jesus Christ. John the Baptist’s role as the prophetic messenger reveals that Jesus is the promised Lord—Christ, the Son of God. • Isaiah: Mark follows the Jewish practice of mentioning only the most prominent of the sources that make up the quotation (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3).”
  9. Mark (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Mark 1 (introduction): PREACHING AND BAPTISM OF JOHN. ( = Mat 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18). (Mar 1:1-8) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God--By the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ here is evidently meant the blessed Story which our Evangelist is about to tell of His Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification, and of the begun Gathering of Believers in His Name. The abruptness with which he announces his subject, and the energetic brevity with which, passing by all preceding events, he hastens over the ministry of John and records the Baptism a”
  10. Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 14:1: Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing upon mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he appears as a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was really”
  11. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 15:27: 15:27 Two revolutionaries: Jesus, the most important victim, was placed in the center.”
  12. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 1:5: 1:5-6 In this doxology, John gives reasons for praising Jesus. • Doxologies often conclude with the confessional Amen (see Rom 11:36; Phil 4:20), which expresses affirmation. 1:5 John gives three descriptions of Jesus Christ. (1) As the faithful witness, Jesus is our model for proclaiming the Good News of salvation (1:2). (2) The truth that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead is foundational to Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14, 17). (3) As ruler of all the kings of the world (see also Rev 17:14; 19:16), he is the absolute Lord of everything. Inhabitants of th”
  13. Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 3:12: 3:12-26 The evangelistic speeches in the book of Acts focus on Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord. They call people to repentance and faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah and the divinely appointed Judge (2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 26:20). They also offer the same Good News for the people of Israel and the Gentile world—“there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (10:36).”
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