I’ve been preaching for several weeks now about how the entire bible is really HIS story (history), referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus said so himself to the two 25 his storydisciples on the road to Emmaus and to a larger group of disciples in the upper room before he ascended into heaven. He referred to all that was written in “the law, the prophets, and the writings.” That’s the summary of the entire Old Testament. Those under the law looked for redemption and forgiveness through their bloody sacrificial system. Throughout the Bible Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. The author of Hebrews 10:7 quotes Jesus; “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.’ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” The entire “Scroll of the Book” is about Jesus.

One place we find Jesus in the Old Testament is in “type”. A type is an example or illustration that points to a person or an event. Finding Jesus hidden in type is a most exciting and rewarding study. As it says in Proverbs 25:2: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Where’s Jesus in the Story of Noah? Everywhere! He’s absolutely everywhere!

Noah is a “type” of Jesus and we can find Him throughout the story. I’m really enjoying all the things that I’ve discovered by comparing Jesus with Noah. The first and really important thing is that salvation for Noah was not by works, but by Grace. Before the flood came God was the one who provided the way of escape from judgment. This is seen clearly in Genesis 6:8 where it says, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” I’ve often heard that God choose Noah because he was “righteous.” If we are going to be saved from the coming judgment like Noah we too must be righteous. But that’s not the lesson! It’s not righteous first then grace, it’s grace first which declares us righteous. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us that it’s “by grace we have been saved, through faith, it’s not of works so that no man can boast. It is a gift of God.” Salvation for Noah was a gift from God, so too is our salvation. Noah believed God! That’s what made him righteous. It’s the same for us today, believing God about Jesus Christ is what saves us, not works. Thus, God’s massively love for the whole world is offered to everyone. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done. Through faith in Christ, he declares us righteous also. God doesn’t want anyone to perish. He wants us all to be saved. God says in Ezekiel 33:11, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”