Click here to download the FREE PDF of my Advent Devotional:
Treasure Hunt through Scripture to Find Jesus, the Messiah
These one-page devotions will take you on a treasure hunt through scripture to discover what the Old and New Testaments say about Jesus as the Messiah and who we are in Christ. From December 1-25 you’ll discover 25 names and descriptions of Jesus. Click here to download the accompanying Picture Treasure Hunt Cards to cut out and hide for children to find each night to reinforce the concept that hunting for clues about Jesus is like searching for treasure.
When Jesus was walking along the road to Emmaus with two of his followers after his resurrection, Luke 24:27 tells us that “Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” This study is designed as a “road to Emmaus” treasure hunt through scripture, leading you on a quest through the Bible to find clues that point to Jesus. (Spoiler alert: It’s all about him!)
Rather than come out and declare that he is the Messiah, Jesus often described himself and his kingdom in parables which are word pictures that describe a particular truth. God speaks through the language of symbols in prophecy, dreams and visions because symbols can have many layers of meaning. The more we want to know, the deeper the Lord will take us in our understanding. That’s why Jesus told his disciples, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more” (Mark 4:24, NLT).
While the Bible can and should be read as a study of God’s revelation to specific people at specific times, God also spoke through the language of symbols to pull us into the eternal realm of revelation. God hints at the nature and works of the Messiah through symbolic language in the Old Testament. We will discover when we delve into the “I am” statements of Jesus that they are his way of pointing us to these Old Testament prophecies.
Jesus said, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old” (Matthew 13:52). There are gems of revelation of the nature of Jesus in both the Old and New Testaments, so over the next 25 days we will dig through the scriptures to mine the treasures of deep revelation. Why? Because a deeper revelation of Jesus leads to a deeper level of worship in spirit and in truth. Also, the more we study the identity of Jesus, the more we discover our own identity because “your real life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
As you read the scriptures, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal who Jesus is as Messiah to you. I will help you make some connections in each devotional, but I’ve purposely limited my commentary because it’s more fun to be led by the Spirit to make the connections yourself! My goal is not only to reveal Jesus as Messiah to you, but also to lead you into a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit who wants to reveal Jesus to you. This study only scratches the surface, as a prompt for you to begin receiving revelation from the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10 tells us that God’s “Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” What Jesus did for the men on the road to Emmaus, explaining how the scriptures pointed to him, is what the Holy Spirit wants to do for you!
Below are some ideas for fun ways to engage children in Advent devotions:
- Hide the corresponding picture card to that day’s devotional for kids to find prior to reading.
- Engage imagination by asking questions like, “How do you think Jesus is like…(bread, light, etc.)” before you read the scriptures.
- Light a candle as a reminder that Jesus appeared as light to people who were in spiritual darkness.
- Pray before you read and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to you.
- If feasible, read this at dinner time as a reminder that God’s word is also your daily bread.
- Since God told the Israelites to teach their children about the Passover by having them ask questions for parents to answer, invite older children to read the three questions in bold.
- Little ones may not understand the scriptures, but they can play a listening game by raising their hand every time they hear that day’s name of Messiah read in scripture (Bread, Light, etc.). Key concepts are underlined to help make connections, so kids can also listen for those words.
- If desired, punch holes in the cards to hang with ribbon on a Christmas tree as a reminder of who we are celebrating at Christmas. This is one way to keep Jesus the focus of the holiday.
- Close with a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus for being who the scriptures reveal him to be in your own life, a song of worship, or simply sing, “O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”
- If you’re also doing a candy Advent calendar, end devotions with a sweet treat. “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
May this resource bless your family to grow in the Lord together as you learn more about Jesus and celebrate him as the greatest gift we could ever receive!
Click here to download:
Advent Devotional PDF
Picture Treasure Hunt Cards