Understanding the Old Testament …
Jesus taught that He is the central theme of the Old Testament. This truth is clearly revealed in Luke 24:27), where Jesus explained to His disciples on the road to Emmaus that the Old Testament points to Him. Jesus’ revelation that the Old Testament is about Him highlights His divine nature and deep connection to the Scriptures. It should also be noted that Jesus (when He was physically living in Palestine) had to read and reflect on the Old Testament to grow and develop (e.g. Luke 2:40, 52).
How can this be? How can the Old Testament be both about Jesus and for Jesus?
Jesus: Fully divine and fully human.
The answer lies in the profound mystery of Jesus having both a divine and human nature—He is fully God and fully man. This is a mystery that’s difficult to understand. Jesus is simultaneously the Son of God and the Son of Man. This is to say that He is One person with two distinct yet inseparable natures – what theologians call the hypostatic union.
Remarkably, the eternally existent omniscient Son of God is the One who gives us the Old Testament, and He’s also the finite Son of Man who had to listen and learn (cf. Luke 2:46) to grow in His understanding of the Old Testament.
Thus, while the Old Testament is about Jesus—revealing His role as the Messiah—it is also for Jesus. This means that the Old Testament not only points to Jesus but also serves as a foundation for His earthly growth and purpose.
Jesus and the Old Testament: A relationship of revelation and growth.
Most Christians are comfortable with the fact that the Old Testament is about Jesus, yet some are a tad uncomfortable with the fact that the Old Testament is for Jesus. That’s not uncommon. The tendency is to think of Jesus as God and mainly relate to Him as the Almighty who is “alive for ever and ever!” Revelation 1:18. But let’s not forget that Jesus was born of a woman (cf. Galatians 4:4-5), was taught the Old Testament by His parents, and grew up hearing the Old Testament being read and discussed in the synagogue (cf. Luke 4:16).
So, just like Jesus is fully God and fully man, the Old Testament is fully about Jesus and fully for Jesus.
Elevating our understanding of Jesus.
Understanding the Old Testament as both about and for Jesus has practical implications for approaching Scripture. When we recognize that the Old Testament points to Jesus, we are encouraged to approach it with reverence, seeing it as a reflection of God’s eternal plan. Likewise, recognizing that the Old Testament is for Jesus helps us model our lives on Him, as He became one of us, showing us how to live in accordance with God’s will.
A model for living.
The dual nature of Jesus—fully God and fully man—helps us understand the Old Testament more deeply. The Old Testament is both a foretelling of Jesus’ life and mission and a resource for His personal growth and understanding. Reflecting on how the Old Testament points to and serves Jesus can inspire our faith, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and encourage us to follow Jesus’ example in our lives.
Recognizing both aspects reminds Christians that the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are foundational for living out our faith and growing closer to Jesus.
Please read the related articles to learn more about understanding the Old Testament.
Related Articles
Finding Jesus in the Old Testament
Jesus at the Center: Understanding God’s Story
Summary
Jesus taught that the Old Testament points to Him, revealing His divine nature and connection to the Scriptures. He is both fully God and fully man, and His dual nature allows the Old Testament to serve as a foundation for His earthly growth and purpose. While the Old Testament is about Jesus, it is also for Him, as it shaped His understanding and mission. By recognizing this, Christians can deepen their faith, better understand Scripture, and model their lives after Jesus.
© Scripture Union Canada 2018
2 Corinthians 4:5
