Jesus On Every Page

# 39 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 2:26 And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men. (1 Sam 2:26) Where have we heard such a statement elsewhere in Scripture? We read a similar statement about Jesus as a young man in Lu 2:52, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” I bring this up because it is good to look for Jesus on all the pages of your Bible, and here we see that Samuel serves as a type of Christ. This passage should get us thinking about the similarities between Jesus and Samuel. (1) For instance, the birth of both of them was announced in advance. (2) Samuel was a Nazarite from birth, Jesus was a Nazarene. (3) Both were in the house of the Lord at an early age. Samuel serving under Eli and Jesus was teaching in the temple at the age of 12. (4) Samuel and Jesus were prophets, speaking the words of the Lord. (5) Both were men of prayer (6) Both trained others in the Lord's Service (7) Both are described as “judges” Furthermore, Samuel and Jesus both arrived on the scene during a time of transition. Samuel served as a connection between the period of the judges and the beginning of the monarchy in Israel. Jesus arrived at the time of transition between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus would usher in the era of the priesthood of all believers, and bring the culmination of salvation by grace through faith. He would put skin on the Old Testament faith of Abraham, which is the faith for all time, namely “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to Him for righteousness.” As Samuel anointed the first two kings of Israel, Jesus would be anointed as the Messiah, and will one day return as the King of Kings and Lord of lords! I hope that as you see these similarities, it will strengthen your faith and trust in the Word of God. It is THE Book that points to Jesus as the way, truth, and life.