The overarching theme of both the Old and New Testaments is crystal clear: from first to last it’s Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the Old Testament. At first this is not apparent to the average reader. It’s only after reading the New Testament that we are able to look back at the Old Testament and see Jesus clearly in its pages. Our salvation was the message of the Bible and Jesus was the divine vessel through which eternal life was made possible for us. The Old Testament was Jesus prophesied and the New Testament was Jesus fulfilled. We need both testaments to clearly see God’s redemptive plan for us.
The Son of God came down from heaven, took on flesh, and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of His birth. There are many ways in which the Old Testament prefigures, anticipates, and predicts Christ and His crucifixion. You may notice that the Bible repeats ideas and themes in different contexts and settings. God does this to show His consistency and faithfulness toward us. The New Testament makes hundreds of references to the Old Testament and Jesus Himself affirms the Old Testament is all about Him. If we have faith in Jesus we must love and revere the Old Testament as part of the eternal Word of God.
Jesus said He didn’t come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. The Old Testament covenant helps us understand the new blood covenant of Christ Jesus. As Christians we’re lucky we don’t have to look for God or guess why we’re here as do other religions. Almighty God has chosen to reveal Himself to us through general (e.g., nature) and special (e.g., Scriptures) revelations, and that He revealed Himself in person in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1-2 – Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.
Romans 1:19-20 – Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse.
During His ministry on earth Jesus followed up by telling us exactly who He is. Jesus could not have been clearer:
John 10:30 – I and My Father are one.
John 14:11 – (Jesus speaking) – Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me.