In After Emmaus, Brian Tabb examines how the gospel message encompasses not only Jesus’ suffering and resurrection but also His mission to save those who are lost. Tabb argues that Jesus provides us with a key hermeneutical tool in Luke 24:46-47 that helps us understand how Scripture foretells of Him and His mission. The author points out that the apostles and followers of Jesus also utilize a similar approach to demonstrate how Christ is the One who fulfills the prophecies in the Old Testament. In chapter one, the author highlights how the brief exchange between Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and then later with the gathered disciples are both vital turning points in the spread of the gospel. By opening their minds and explaining how the Law, Prophets, and the Psalms point to His suffering, resurrection, and mission, Jesus enlightens His disciples to who He is and how to share the gospel to others. In chapter two, Tabb ruminates on how Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah are gradually fulfilled in the gospel of Luke. During His earthly ministry, Jesus shows through His life, words, and actions how the patterns and promises in the Old Testament are realized in Him. For example, in Psalm 22 and 31, King David writes that even though he is being tormented and opposed by those who hate God, he will remain faithful to the Lord knowing that He will bring deliverance in the end. Jesus then is the ultimate righteous king who also trusts in God but rather than seeking escape from His suffering and death, He gives His life as a ransom in the crucifixion account of Luke 23. The next chapter concentrates on how Luke’s gospel draws out Jesus’ resurrection as being the ultimate realization of the hope of physical and spiritual resurrection foretold in the Old Testament. Tabb considers a number of passages including the debate of the Sadducees (Luke 20), Simeon’s prophecy (Luke 2), the transfiguration account (Luke 9), the sign of Jonah (Luke 11), the third day resurrection prediction (Luke 18 and 24), and the Davidic riddle in (Luke 20). In each of these occasions, Jesus reveals how His resurrection was to be the firstfruit of the future resurrection of all those who place their faith in Him. Furthermore, Tabb moves on to discuss how the mission of Jesus is foretold in the prophecies of Isaiah 40, 49, 61, and Ezekiel 34. Firstly, Simeon predicts the baby Jesus as being the light that brings salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. This theme is found in Isaiah 40 which speaks of the future glory that is in store for Israel and the nations. Furthermore, in Isaiah 49, the Lord’s servant is the one who will gather Israel and bring salvation to the ends of the earth. In addition, Isaiah 61 foretells of a future Spirit-filled individual who will bind up the broken-hearted, proclaim freedom for captives, release prisoners from darkness, and comfort those who mourn. Lastly, Ezekiel 34 points to a God-ordained shepherd who will rescue Israel from all the false shepherds who mistreated God’s people. In chapter five, Tabb focuses on how the apostles spread the gospel with boldness and clarity by linking Old Testament passages that predict of Christ with the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This includes references to Christ as being the anointed one opposed by the nations, the innocent one cursed on the tree, and the servant-lamb slaughtered for our transgressions. In addition, the apostles proclaim Jesus as being the holy One that does not see corruption, the one who is seated at God’s right hand, and the Son of God who reigns as David’s heir as found in the Psalms. In the next chapter, Tabb analyzes how the apostles embark on Jesus’ mission in Acts as part of Isaiah’s prophecies of the Spirit being poured out and salvation reaching both Jews and Gentiles. In addition, the author reflects on how other New Testament books such as Matthew, John, Romans, and 1 Peter also echo the message of Jesus’ suffering, resurrection, and mission. In the final chapter, Tabb outlines how believers today ought to participate in the mission of Jesus. Firstly, when we share the gospel with others, we ought to present the entire gospel message which is not only the life and death of Jesus but also His resurrection and mission. Furthermore, we need to spread the gospel with urgency as the good news of God’s forgiveness and salvation found in His Son alone. In addition, we ought to pray for the Spirit to equip us with the same courage and wisdom to proclaim the gospel as the apostles did.
I recommend this book to all believers who seek to gain a deeper understanding of how the gospel message is central to the biblical storyline. For many Christians, we often reduce the story of Jesus to what is found in the gospels but forget that Jesus also appears in the book of Acts. Jesus did not come in the flesh to live, die, and return to heaven while leaving his disciples as orphaned children. Rather, before His ascension, Jesus teaches His disciples to properly grasp who He is as the Messiah and how they are to tell others about Him. Also, we tend to share the gospel by focusing on the New Testament but fail to appreciate that Jesus and His apostles referred to the patterns and prophecies of the Old Testament to prove the identity and mission of Jesus as the promised Messiah. Instead of merely being a final footnote prior to Jesus’ ascension, Luke 24 and Acts 1 shows us that Jesus teaches His disciples to interpret Scripture with a Christo-centric perspective as a key hermeneutical tool in comprehending who He is and what His message of salvation means. For Christians today, we need to revitalize this practice of engaging all of Scripture to illustrate how the entire biblical metanarrative points to and culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Crossway.
contemplative reflections 